Dempsey counts his lucky stars

SEAN DEMPSEY felt this was going to be Laois’ day when Padraic Clancy’s hopeful punt bounced past goalkeeper Stuart Reynolds and into the Louth net after five minutes.

It was a cruel twist of fate for a netminder that has been nothing but dependable for his county all year but Dempsey’s hunch was proven right nine minutes from time.

Louth were midway through an unlikely scramble back from an 11-points deficit when Adrian Reid hared into the Laois penalty area only to be pushed in the back by the chasing Clancy.