Sean Downey
Laois attacker Sean Downey has been voted GAA.ie Hurler of the Week.
The half-forward played a crucial role in his team's come-from-behind victory over Carlow in the All-Ireland SHC preliminary round on Saturday.
That performance earned him 40 per cent of the vote on the GAA's Official Twitter (@officialgaa), Facebook, and Instagram pages with his Laois team-mate Lee Cleere second and Carlow's Marty Kavanagh third.
GAA.ie Hurler of the Week
**1: **Sean Downey (Laois) 500 votes (40 per cent)
2: Lee Cleere (Laois) 473 votes (38 per cent)
3: Marty Kavanagh (Carlow) 288 votes (22 per cent)
With Laoiscaptain Ross King given a straight red-card early on in their All-Ireland SHC preliminary round clash with Carlow, the Midlanders were without a chief scoring threat, but players like Sean Downey and Neil Foyle stepped up with vital scores.
Half-forward Downey worked hard during the win and when Carlow lead by four points in the second-half, Downey produced a wonderful solo goal to get Eamonn Kelly’s men back in the game.
Downey picked up possession on the right hand-side of the pitch, outside the 45, before setting off on a run towards goal evading four Carlow backs before putting the sliotar into the back of the net.
After Carlow put five goals past Antrim in the Christy Ring Cup Final, Laois’ defence knew they would have to be solid, and corner-back **Lee Cleere **impressed throughout.
Four of those goals scored in Croke Park two weeks ago came from James Doyle, who was well marshalled by a determined Laois defence.
Cleere was lively for Laois making several important interceptions during an exciting encounter at O’Moore Park.
Carlow’s captain Marty Kavanagh showed his leadership and scoring prowess in the defeat to Laois.
In the first-half a tricky delivery was fired into him, but Kavanagh controlled the sliotar with one touch and while off-balance, fired home to give Colm Bonnar’s men a commanding early lead.
Kavanagh played with IT Carlow in their Fitzgibbon Cup run this year, so is used to playing at a high standard, and was Carlow’s top-scorer with 1-2 despite receiving a red card for a second bookable offence with 10 minutes remaining.
**Players of the Week are decided based on votes cast by followers of @officialgaa on Twitter, on the Official GAA Facebook Page and on the Official GAA Instagram page. **
