Kildare take points, but Laois and Munnelly make a point

LAOIS suffered the first defeat of their league campaign but, as defeats go, it was a good one and they can learn from it.

They certainly played well enough to merit at least a draw. A couple of things helped to sway this game for Kildare; firstly, they got a lucky break when a shot from James Kavanagh was well saved by Laois goalkeeper Michael Nolan but cannoned off corner-back Denis Booth into the net. The goal brought Kildare to within a point of Laois midway through the second half.

Secondly, Eoghan O’Flaherty kicked two very difficult frees at the death to give Kildare victory. They came about as a result of Kildare winningpossession from Laois kick-outs. The switching of Darryl Flynn from the full-forward line out to midfield was important in curbing the influence of Padraig Clancy, who had beenpreviously dominant.