Derry finish stronger to see off weakened Laois

WITH 15 minutes to go, these two were level at 1-9 apiece but, entertaining as the first three quarters were, the tale of this game was encapsulated in its final lap.

As the scoreline indicates, Laois failed to raise a flag in that last quarter while Derry plundered their creaky back line for 1-3.

Laois started well and took the lead for the second time after 14 minutes when Billy Sheehan’s goal cancelled out one from Paddy Bradley.

For the next 42 minutes there was never more than a point to separate them but Laois always seemed to be clinging on to Derry’s coat-tails and it was no surprise when Mark Lynch sealed the win with a goal eight minutes from full time.

With men of the calibre of Sean Marty Lockhart, Gerard O’Kane and Michael McGoldrick yet to return to the Derry panel, there is room for improvement at the back but not nearly as much as is the case with Laois.

For years, the midlanders have searched in vain for a convincing full-back and, though Cathal Ryan continues to strive manfully in the part, they are no closer to finding a resolution. Making matters worse are the recent retirements of Fergal Byron, Joe Higgins and Tom Kelly but Laois are short of class, experience, leadership and physique in all sectors.

Three other vets — Aidan Fennelly, Noel Garvan and Donie Brennan — are injured and, to add to the transitional feel, Liam Kearns is trying to add a new dimension to their style by playing midfielder Brendan Quigley at 14. It could be a long year ahead.

Scorers: Laois: B Sheehan 1-1, M Tierney 0-3 (2f), C Parkinson 0-2, P Clancy 0-1, R Munnelly 0-1, J O’Loughlin 0-1. Derry: M Lynch 1-2, P Bradley 1-1 (0-1f), C Mullan 0-4 (2f), B McGoldrick 0-2, J Conway 0-1, E Muldoon 0-1, C Devlin 0-1.

LAOIS: M Nolan; C Healy, C Ryan, R Stapleton; B McCormack, D Rooney, P McMahon; P Clancy, K Meaney; R Munnelly, J O’Loughlin, B Sheehan; M Tierney, B Quigley, C Parkinson. Subs: P O’Leary for Stapleton (27), C Kelly for Meaney (59), P Lawlor for Parkinson (67), P Dunne for Tierney.

DERRY: B Gillis; K McGuckin, N McCusker, F McEldowney; L Hinphey, M McBride, M McIvor; F Doherty, J Conway; M Lynch, B McGoldrick, E Muldoon; C Devlin, P Bradley, C Mullan.

Subs: C Gilligan for Devlin (59), K McCloy for McBride (62), C O’Kane for Muldoon (69).

Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan).