Laois survive New York scare to move into Tailteann Cup last eight

Mark Timmons’ brilliantly taken goal on 58 minutes when the sides were level ultimately broke New York but the Exiles might have had a goal of their own minutes earlier when Jack Reilly blazed his shot past the post.

At that stage, Laois had already been reduced to 14 men after Shaun Fitzpatrick picked up a second yellow card on 49 minutes. Killian Butler brought the sides level immediately after that and an upset looked like it could be on the cards.

However, Laois survived the New York goal chance and then took their own to pick their way through to the next round.

The visitors, who started the day with five American born players in their team, trailed by four points to one early on. Two Paul Kingston frees and points from Evan O’Carroll and Mark Barry helped Laois settle.

But New York worked a goal on 11 minutes. Jack Reilly’s smart pass found Bobby O’Regan in space and he found the top corner to tie the game up.

As the half wore on, New York grew in confidence. Killian Butler, who has played for both New York and London, was a handful and pointed two frees.

Killian Roche boomed over a huge free for Laois but they almost coughed up a second goal when Roche’s cross field pass was intercepted. New York worked a point from that attack but it signaled that Laois were a little unsure of themselves. By half time they trailed 1-6 to 0-8.

Laois grabbed the first two points of the first half but struggled for fluency and when Fitzpatrick was sent off, New York were within touching distance of a famous win.

However, Laois did just enough to win through to the last eight.

SCORERS –

Laois – P Kingston (3f), K Roche (3f), M Barry 0-3 each, M Timmons 1-0, E O’Carroll 0-2, R Murphy, N Dunne 0-1 each.

New York – K Butler 0-5 (5f), B O’Regan 1-1, J Reilly, S Brosnan, J Grace (1 45) 0-1 each.

Teams:

Laois: K Roche; D Kavanagh, K Lillis, M Timmons; S Lacey, B Byrne, S Fingleton; D Larkin, C Heffernan; M Barry, N Dunne, K Swayne; R Murphy, E O’Carroll, P Kingston

SUBS: S Fitzpatrick for Kavanagh (26), C Burke for Lillis (57), M Dempsey for Dunne (70), N Corbet for Murphy (75)

New York: J Grace; S Bolger, N Hatton, J Boyle; S Brosnan, C O’Dea, R Wharton; L Kearney, E O Conghaile; T Mathers, M Brosnan, E McElligot; K Butler, J Reilly, B O’Regan

SUBS: J Walsh for Reilly (23), J Reilly for M Brosnan (47), A Loughlin Stones for T Mathers (60), N McCarthy for Bolger (65), S Reilly for McElligot (70),

Referee: D Murnane (Cork)