Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final
Laois 1-13 New York 1-9
A STRONG Ulster interest at Portlaoise’s O’Moore Park where a former Armagh player ultimately trumped a former Cavan goalkeeper in a novel Tailteann Cup battle.
Laois manager Justin McNulty was thankful to experienced defender Mark Timmons for slamming home a match-winning goal in the 58th minute.
It was the game’s decisive strike, moving Laois three points clear and giving them a vital cushion in the closing minutes as New York, managed by Cavan’s Alan O’Mara, threw the kitchen sink at it.
A double digits winning margin was anticipated but, trailing by a point after 51 minutes and having lost substitute Shaun Fitzpatrick to a red card, progression was all that mattered.
Laois just about managed that, eventually outscoring New York by 1-3 to 0-1 in the closing quarter to take their place in Monday morning’s quarter-final draw.
They cannot be drawn to play Fermanagh, having already met in their group, leaving them to face either Kildare, Sligo or Down, the Mourne famously putting eight goals beyond Laois in last year’s semi-final.
“We didn’t take New York for granted for a second,” said McNulty. “We knew they’d travel with a strong party, even though they changed six of them from the last day against Mayo. They still have good footballers and they came and fair dues to them, they put it up to us big style.”
O’Mara got married on Friday and his side almost gave him the perfect present as they led 1-6 to 0-8 at half-time, thanks in the main to 1-1 from Kerry man Bobby O’Regan.
They were still one up after 51 minutes but couldn’t hold out as Laois rallied.
“It’s pride for sure but regret and disappointment as well, as there should be,” said O’Mara. “We got close but couldn’t get it done.”
Laois K Roche (0-3, 3f); D Kavanagh, S Fingleton, M Timmons (1-0); S Lacey, B Byrne, C Heffernan; D Larkin, K Lillis; M Barry (0-3), E O’Carroll (0-2), K Swayne; R Murphy (0-1), N Dunne (0-1), P Kingston (0-3, 3f).
Subs S Fitzpatrick for Kavanagh 26, C Burke for Lillis 57, M Dempsey for Dunne 70, N Corbett for Murphy 75.
New York J Grace (0-1, 45); J Boyle, N Hatton, S Bolger; S Brosnan (0-1), C O’Dea, R Wharton; L Kearney, E O Conghaile; T Mathers, M Brosnan, E McElligott; K Butler (0-5, 5f), J Reilly (0-1), B O’Regan (1-1).
Subs J Walsh for Reilly 23, Reilly for Brosnan 47, A Loughlin Stones for Mathers 60, N McCarthy for Bolger 65, S Reilly for McElligott 70.
Referee D Murnane (Cork)
