Conor Grimes, Louth, and Conor Heffernan, Laois, in Leinster SFC quarter-final action. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Leinster SFC Quarter-Final
Louth 2-16 (2-0-16) Laois 0-17 (0-0-17)
By Dan Bannon at Cedral St Conleth's Park
Ryan Burns and Ciaran Byrne found the net in the second half to get Louth’s Leinster campaign up and running with a well earned five point win over Laois.
Having picked up a win the week earlier over Wexford, Laois were competitive to the finish and were never out of the contest until the match winning blitz in the frantic finale.
Burns teed up Ciaran Byrne for a late in the game having found the net himself from the penalty spot to open the second half.
Louth needed to up their performance in the second half and saw the clink of light when Benny Carroll received a black card in the 58th minute. With the margins so fine that would prove costly.
Despite Emmet Carolan also suffering the same fate for Louth in the finish, the damage from the inside duo was already done.
Ironically, Ciaran ‘Casey’ Byrne was a late addition to the starting line up. Byrne struck two early points to settle his side in the opening few minutes, but without Sam Mulroy, Louth looked vulnerable. Laois took the game to the favourites through Mark Barry.
Showing the leadership Louth required, the O’Dempsey’s talisman Barry nudged Laois in front in the first half with four points. The last of those put Laois ahead 0-9 to 0-8 at the turn.
Daniel O’Reilly and Ronan Coffey caused the Louth rearguard problems but Damon Larkin’s dominance around the middle gave the contest more than a sniff of an upset.
Louth came out with an improved tempo to begin the second half. Durnin was brought in before half time and soon they would introduce All-Star Craig Lennon to proceedings.
However, Burns would slot home a penalty to up the ante and mark the improved nature of Louth’s intensity of their play. Barry hit another four points to keep things honest.
With the game whittling down, Louth’s greater experience and seasoned squad got over the line and Byrne would be the man to do it.
The Mochta’s man low finish to the net to finally see off Laois and focus on hosts Kildare in a fortnight's time.
Scorers for Louth: Ryan Burns 1-4 (1-0 pen, 1’45 1f), Ciaran Byrne 1-3, Ciaran Downey 0-3, Kieran McArdle, Andy McDonnell, Peter Lynch, Dylan McKeown, Craig Lennon and Tommy Durnin 0-1 each.
Scorers for Laois: Mark Barry 0-8 (4fs), Ronan Coffey 0-3 (1f) Damon Larkin 0-2, Niall Corbet, Kevin Swayne, Brian Byrne, and Daniel O’Reilly 0-1 each
Louth: Niall McDonnell; Emmet Carolan, Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny; Daire Nally, Peter Lynch, Conall McKeever; Fearghal Malone, Paul Mathews; Andy McDonnell, Ciaran Downey, Conor Grimes; Kieran McArdle, Ciaran Byrne, Ryan Burns.
Subs: Tommy Durnin for Malone (34), Craig Lennon for Grimes (52), Dylan McKeown for McArdle (64), Conor Branigan for McDonnell (64), Dara McDonnell for Mathews (73).
Laois: Killian Roche; Trevor Collins, Seamus Lacey, Ben Dempsey; Pa Kirwan, Simon Fingleton, Patrick O’Sullivan; Conor Heffernan, Damon Larkin; Daniel O’Reilly, Ronan Coffey, Kevin Swayne; Mark Barry, Niall Corbet, Brian Byrne.
Subs: Cathal Lee for Byrne (Blood 28-HT), Benny Carroll for Larkin (blood 42-45), Carroll for O’Reilly (46), Josh Hogan for Fingleton (48), Lee for Byrne (61), Ryan Brady for Coffey (71).
Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon).
