A general view of Laois Hire O'Moore Park. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Hurling Championship
Tier 2 Group 1
Offaly 5-16 Antrim 2-13
Meath 3-10 Wicklow 0-11
Tier 2 Group 2
Laois 3-18 Kildare 0-11
Carlow 2-15 Kerry 2-11
By Paul Keane
Captain Odhran Fletcher netted twice as Offaly came from behind with a terrific second-half display to secure back-to-back Electric Ireland MHC wins.
The Faithful pounced late on in Round 1 to defeat Meath, but were more convincing this time at neutral Dowdallshill in Louth with 12 points to spare.
Mind you, boss Brian Carroll was probably a little concerned when James McDonnell slammed in a 42nd minute goal from a penalty for Antrim, leaving the Saffrons a point ahead at that stage.
Offaly had already registered three goals themselves, from Conor Thornton, Ruairi Woods and Fletcher, helping them to lead by 3-5 to 1-9 at half-time.
But that third quarter Antrim goal turned the game back in their favour and suggested they might even pinch a win in their opening game following a bye in Round 1.
They didn't score again until the 54th minute, however, and only added three more points in total as Offaly took complete control.
In all, Offaly reeled off 2-7 without response midway through the second-half to put the result beyond doubt.
Fletcher netted their fourth goal from a penalty in the 50th minute and Woods added his second and the team's fifth three minutes later.
Meanwhile, Meath bounced back from their loss to Offaly with an impressive win over Wicklow in this afternoon's other Tier 2, Group 1 game.
At home in Trim, the Royals led throughout, netting twice in the opening half to lead by 2-2 to 0-4 at the interval and slotting a third goal early in the second-half.
In Tier 2, Group 2, which has a team less and only began this afternoon, there were impressive wins for Laois and Carlow.
Eoin Delaney was in top form for Laois, sniping 2-5 from play in their 16-point dismissal of neighbours Kildare in Portlaoise.
Delaney escaped the Kildare defences for two goals inside the first 15 minutes, propelling his team to a 2-10 to 0-3 lead at the break.
Tony Mahony, Conor McDonagh, CJ Brennan and Daniel Jones were on the mark with points too.
Kildare's scores principally came from free-taker Callum Durnin and their first from play didn't arrive until midway through the second-half.
Laois, with 10 scorers overall, kept the pressure on and Dan Downey added a third goal while captain Donnacha Carroll, brilliant at the back for the hosts, lofted over a long-range score to cap a fine game.
Carlow had to come from three points down at half-time to overcome Kerry.
Dylan Costello's 1-6 for Kerry had left the Kingdom with a 1-7 to 0-7 half-time lead.
But second-half Carlow goals from Adam Joyce, in the 35th minute, and James Brennan, seven minutes from time, helped the Barrowsiders to turn it around.
