Laois 0-20 Armagh 1-10
A BRILLIANT OPENING period performance helped Laois to an Allianz NFL Division Two success over Armagh at O’Moore Park this evening.
Though Armagh started brightly Laois ruled vast chunks of the first half and deservedly led by 0-13 to 0-4 at the break. Armagh improved considerably after the restart with a sweet Brian Mallon goal in the 47thminute bringing them back into contention.
But Laois finished well clipping three late points to end Armagh’s revival and the O’Moore men recorded a fine win.
Bright initially Armagh led by 0-3 to 0-1 after seven minutes with Brian Mallon and Stefan Forker showing well inside.
Laois settled, though, and were back on terms at 0-4 each by the 15th minute and then the home side took control. A smashing burst of Laois play saw Justin McNulty’s team register nine points on the spin with the returning Donie Kingston and Padraig Clancy key performers.
Clancy’s aerial ability on the edge of the square vexed Armagh, who were troubled by Laois dynamism. At centrefield Brendan Quigley and Colm Begley were effective allowing Laois build up a healthy cushion.
After the restart Munnelly put Laois 10 points clear, but Armagh then scored 1-4 without reply including Mallon’s goal to narrow the deficit. But Laois weathered the storm as Ross Munnelly lofted a routine free, while further scores from Billy Sheehan and Kingston were equally important.
In the closing stages Sheahan (2) and Munnelly sealed the issue as Laois earned a valuable victory.
Scorers for Laois: Ross Munnelly (0-7, 4fs), Donie Kingston (0-4, 1f), Billy Sheehan (0-3), Padraig Clancy (0-2), Darren Strong (0-2), Conor Boyle (0-), Brendan Quigley (0-1).
Scorers for Armagh: Brian Mallon (1-1), Ethan Rafferty (0-3), Stefan Forker (0-3, 1f), Stephen Harold (0-1), Mark Shields (0-1), Gavin McParland (0-1).
Laois: Eoin Culliton; Kevin Meaney, Peter O’Leary, Cahir Healy; Darren Strong, John O’Loughlin, Conor Boyle; Brendan Quigley, Colm Begley; Ross Munnelly, Donie Kingston, Billy Sheehan; Gary Walsh, Padraig Clancy, Colm Kelly. Subs: Damien O’Connor for Kelly (47 mins), Ambrose Doran for Walsh (58 mins)
Armagh: Philip McEvoy; Mark Shields, James Donnelly, Gary McCoey; Kevin Dyas, Ciaran McKeever, Finian Moriarty; James Lavery, Kieran Toner; Caolan Rafferty, Aidan Forker, Ethan Rafferty; Gavin McParland, Stefan Forker, Brian Mallon. Subs: Stephen Harold for Lavery (29 mins), Anto Duffy for A Forker (51 mins), Eugene McVerry for Mallon (59 mins), John Kingham for McParland (60 mins), Stephen Campbell for Forker (70 mins)
Referee: R Hickey (Clare).
