Clubs out of Laois U-21 championship after brawl

PORTLAOISE and St Joseph’s/Barrowhouse were yesterday thrown out of the Laois U21 championship after the brawl that forced their county semi-final to be abandoned last month.

Referee Eddie Whelan ended the game after one St Joseph’s player, Paddy Fleming, was allegedly knocked unconscious.

The row began after a player from each side — Portlaoise’s Cahir Healy and St Joseph’s Donie Kingston — had been red-carded.