O'BYRNE CUP 2001/2002

O'Byrne Cup Laois v Wexford

LAOIS 0-11 WEXFORD 1-7

Laois secured the narrowest of wins in the 2nd round of the O'Byrne Cup when they scraped home by a 1 point margin against strong competition from Wexford. A point on the call of time from Laois substitute Ian Fitzgerald secured victory for the O'Moore County. Laois who were defeated in the first game by Wicklow in Portarlington came to Enniscorthy with nothing less than victory on their minds but Wexford put it up to them and Laois only got through by the narrowest of margins to secure the 2 points. This was a much improved performance from the Laois team. They made five changes on the team originally selected during the week

The announced lineout midweek was.

The following team started the game

Laois showed more appetite for the game in the opening stages of the game and inside five minutes had points from Kevin Fitzpatrick and Stephan Kelly. Wexford replied with a good point from Eoin Quigley and then Brian 'Beano' Mc Donald had a point for Laois putting them 3 points to 1 ahead in the first quarter of the game . Then in the 23rd minute Stephan Kelly weaved his way through the Wexford defence and got a good goal only to have it disallowed for what was termed by the referee as an infringement in the square. This did not deter Kelly who had a fine point in the 29th minute to leave the score Laois 0-4 Wexford 0-03. John Hegarty then equalised for Wexford with a brilliant point and in injury time in the opening half Noel Garvan linked up with Derek Conroy to kick a good point to leave Laois ahead at the interval by 5 points to Wexford 4 points.

HALF TIME LAOIS 0-5 WEXFORD 0-4

Laois had numerous chances of scores in the second half and in fact they shot 9 wides in the 35 minutes. The opening score of this half was got by Wexford when substitute Mattie Forde scored a lovely point to level the scores after just 6 minutes play. Brian Mc Donald kicked a wonderful point after just 11 minutes and Michael Lambe kicked a lovely point but he went off injured immediately. He had only come on at half time, It was then 7 points to 5 points in Laois's favour. Brian 'Beano' McDonald made it 8 points to 5 points. He actually could have had a goal - Noel Garvan was outside him but 'Beano' opted for the point and Laois went 3 points ahead. John Hegarty after 21 minutes play reduced the arrears for the Wexfordmen to narrow the score to just 2 between them. Then Chris Conway kicked a great point from a very acute angle right on the left hand side Laois were ahead by 3 points. Chris Conway scored a further point after a great run by 'Beano' McDonald and Laois went four points up. Then Mattie Forde narrowed the gap to 3 points after 32 minutes and then Wexford went through for a goal caused by poor defending by Laois. Forde just squeezed the ball past the Laois Keeper Fergal Byron for a great goal for the Slaneysiders. This levelled the scoring with just over a minute of normal time remaining Laois 0-10 Wexford 1-7 Then Laois won a free about 35 yards out and near the sideline. The kick was entrusted to Ian Fitzgerald who had just come on as a sub and his beautifully left footed kick floated between the posts to secure what was to be a victory for the O'Moore County. A minute or so remained but Laois held on for a one point victory. Certainly a much improved performance from the Laois team.

In other O'Byrne Cup news the Laois opponents in the next round Kildare beat Wicklow in Aughrim. Kildare 1-10 Wicklow 0-07.
Also in the O'Byrne Cup Carlow had a shock victory over Leinster Champions Meath in front of a small attendance of 300 people at Dr. Cullen Pk. on Saturday.

e-mail laoisgaa@utvinternet.ie

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