Starlet Brennan fires Laois to victory

Galway 2-13 Laois 1-17

And yesterday in Pearse Stadium, Ross Munnelly was still there in the Laois colours, fulfilling all the promise shown back then with a polished six-point display in this crucial League win over Galway.

And yet, it wasn't the still-slight Munnelly who stole this show, nor even another hugely-talented youngster, high-scoring Galway corner-forward Michael Meehan (with 2-5, all from play), but one even more precocious.

It was another slight, blonde-haired, baby-faced teenager from Arles.

Leaving Cert student Donie Brennan should not have been playing yesterday. Instead, as captain, he should have been leading his school, Knockbeg, to the Leinster Colleges Senior Football title on Saturday afternoon.

Suspension had precluded that from happening however, frustrating the youngster, but freeing him for this encounter and how he thrived.

Six points from play, three in each half, tells only part of the tale; Brennan was everywhere, passing, running, supporting, creating, a living embodiment of the Micko school of selfless football.

It was magnificent entertainment, and none was more enthralled than the veteran Laois manager.

"Without doubt, he's an exceptional talent. He's a class act, played some lovely football, kicked some great scores," said O'Dwyer.

For the lad himself, there was the same sense of satisfaction at proving his worth at this level, but there was also regret. "Since I started playing football, this is what I've wanted to do, it's what everyone wants to do. When you get the chance, it's about taking it. A lot of people, even in Laois, say I'm too small, but I like to think that no matter what your size, you can get the upper hand on the back if you can get out in front, and you can have a little more skill than the bigger fellas. This makes up a little for missing out yesterday, but you can't beat playing, and even though Knockbeg won, it didn't feel the same, I was gutted not to be playing. I was ready for today after that."

Unfortunately for them, Galway weren't ready for Donie Brennan, though that wasn't how it appeared in the opening quarter. 1-5 to 0-1 Galway led at that stage, even while playing into the strong breeze, their full-forward line of Derek Savage, Padraig Joyce and Michael Meehan were in deadly form, doing all of that scoring. With Tom Kelly driving them on from midfield however and their half-back line of Kieran Kelly, Darren Rooney and Padraig McMahon coming to grips with the Galway attack Laois began to take control, and Brennan and Munnelly got their chance to shine.

Point by point, most of those by the two Arles whippets, Laois fought their way back, trailed by just a point at the break, 0-10 to 1-8. A half-time tongue-lashing by the boss ensured they wouldn't be caught napping again on the restart.

A point each from Munnelly and Brennan, and Laois were ahead, 0-12 to 1-8. Galway came back again, Michael Meehan and Padraig Joyce doing their damage at the other end, before the score that really turned this game the way of Laois.

In the 52nd minute, Galway were marginally ahead, 1-12 to 0-14, when Laois sub Paul Lawlor got on the end of a superb multi-pass move, was brought down inside the square and awarded the penalty. Up stepped captain and keeper Fergal Byron with an unstoppable shot crashed to net.

It was advantage Laois and they held until the final minute, when the mighty Meehan notched his second goal at the other end to tie the scores.

One final act remained however, when Laois won a fast kickout and roving full-forward Shane Cooke coolly hit the winner.

"It was an unbelievable comeback," said the goal-scoring keeper Byron. "We were going to be struggling in the League if we didn't win here, but could put ourselves back in the frame for the playoffs if we won, so it was a pivotal game. To come down and win the way we did, was super. We have Down at home next week, another tough one, but if we can win all the way now, finish with ten points, we can probably put ourselves in the semi-final."

Scorers Laois: D. Brennan 0-6; R. Munnelly 0-6 (0-2 frees, 0-1 sideline); F. Byron 1-0; S. Cooke 0-2; T. Kelly 0-2; C. Conway 0-1.

Galway: M. Meehan 2-5; P. Joyce 0-3; J. Bergin, N. Coleman, P. Clancy, D. Savage, S. Armstrong, 0-1 each.

LAOIS: F. Byron (c); D. Conroy, C. Begley, T. McDonald; K. Kelly, D. Rooney, P. McMahon; P. Clancy, T. Kelly; R. Munnelly, C. Conway, C. Bergin; D. Brennan, S. Cooke, G. Kavanagh. Subs: P. McDonald (T. McDonald 24); P. Lawlor (Bergin 42).

GALWAY: B. Donoghue; V. Feeney, K. Fitzgerald, C. Monaghan; K. Brady, D. Meehan (c), D. Burke; J. Bergin, N. Coleman; P. Clancy, P. Joyce, N. Meehan; D. Savage, M. Meehan, S. Armstrong. Subs: A. Burke (Brady 57); J. Devane (N. Meehan 39); M. Colleran (Armstrong 65).

Referee: P. McEnaney (Monaghan).