Division One: Laois 0-14 Tyrone 1-14
TYRONE survived a late Laois surge to emerge from O’Moore Park in Portlaoise with their 100 per cent record intact.
The Red Hands were in complete control of this one with about twenty minutes to go but they took their eye off the ball and Laois almost snatched the most unlikeliest of draws right at the death.
Manager Mickey Harte was pleased that his side continued their winning ways and credited their strong start to the second half as pivotal.
He said: “We weathered the storm for much of the first half and managed to go in two points up at the break which was bonus.
“We never got our running game going in the first half but in the second half that started to work for us. We looked a much more potent force and put ourselves in a position to see the game out.”
Tyrone enjoyed the better of the opening stages as Mark Bradley and Darren McCurry pointed to give them a two-point lead after five minutes.
However, Laois responded through Paul Cahillane and Gary Walsh to tie the game for the first time on the 10-minute mark. Barry Tierney regained Tyrone’s advantage again but they almost gifted Laois a goal on 17 minutes.
Keeper Michael O’Neill misjudged a short kick-out whcih went straight to Gary Walsh but his low drive was diverted out for a 45 by Aidan McCrory. Walsh converted that to level the game again.
Laois then enjoyed a purple patch. John O’Loughlin kicked a brace while midfielder Kieran Lillis added another as Tyrone could only muster a Darren McCurry free in reply to leave the home side two clear 10 minutes before the break.
However, Tyrone dominated the final stages and took a two-point lead. Ronan O’Neill raised two white flags either side of points from Niall Sludden and a monster effort from centre-back Cathal McCarron to lead by 0-8 to 0-6.
Tyrone picked up from where they left off on the resumption of play with a brace of points from Mattie Donnelly and one apiece from Tiernan McCann and O’Neill.
John O’Loughlin and substitute Ruairi O’Connor replied for Laois but Tyrone were rampant as Niall Sludden and Donnelly dissected the posts before they got the game’s only goal.
Tyrone introduced Padraig McNulty in the 57th minute and less than 20 second later, he got on the end of a sweeping move involving Tiernan McCann and Peter Harte to smash the ball past Graham Brody.
This put Tyrone eight points clear but instead of kicking on and killing Laois off, they eased up and allowed their opponents back into the game. This was something which displeased manager Harte.
He said: “We were our own worst enemies that we didn’t finish the game off when we had the chance. We paid the price at the end and there were a few scary moments but thankfully we got there.”
Laois captain Donie Kingston kicked four points and his brother Paul landed another to leave just a goal between the teams as the game entered three minutes of second half injury time.
Laois had an opportunity to draw the game in the dying embers when Niall Donoher got in one-on-one with Tyrone ’keeper O’Neill but he spread himself well and his side held on.
Tyrone: M O’Neill; A McCrory, J McMahon, HP McGreary; T McCann (0-1), C McCarron (0-1), B Tierney (0-1); C Cavanagh, M Donnelly (0-3); N Sludden (0-2), M Bradley (0-1), C Meyler; D McCurry (0-2, 0-1 free), S Cavanagh, R O’Neill (0-3, 0-2 frees).
Subs: J Monroe for Tierney (45), P Harte for Bradley (47), R Donnelly for Meyler (48), P McNulty (1-0) for C Cavanagh (57), L Brennan for McCurry (60), P Hampsey for McMahon (62)
Laois: G Brody; R Kehoe, P Cotter, D Seale; D Strong, C Begley, G Dillon; K Lillis (0-1), B Quigley; C Meredith, J O’Loughlin (0-3), N Donoher; P Cahillane (0-1 free), D Kingston (0-5, 0-2 frees), G Walsh (0-2, 0-1 45).
Subs: D O’Conner for Cotter (38), R O’Connor (0-1) for Walsh (45), E Costello for Meredith (49), D O’Reilly for Dillon (50), P Kingston (0-1) for Cahillane (51), A Farrell for Strong (55)
Yellow cards: G Walsh (5), B Quigley (34)
Referee: P O’Sullivan (Kerry)
