A brilliant and dogged Laois display saw them qualify for a second successive Leinster U-20 final as they overcame Kildare in Portlaoise.

Cork showed that they are in fine shape to defend their U20 All-Ireland title after they defeated Kildare in the John Kerins Cup final.

Diarmuid Whelan struck a magnificent 10 points as Laois ended Kildare’s reign as Leinster and All-Ireland U20 champions at the first stage in St Conleth’s Park last night on Tuesday evening.

They’ll have to play it in Croke Park, but this time they won’t mind.