Royals relieved as Laois waste last-gasp chance

FOR long periods Meath looked like they would secure a place in the last four of the Leinster senior football championship quite comfortably, but as manager Eamonn O’Brien admitted afterwards, his side was relieved to have a second chance.

Michael John Tierney had an opportunity to snatch victory for Laois in the final seconds of extra time but his shot from wide on the right screwed off his less favoured right boot and harmlessly wide.

It would have been a fantastic effort by Seán Dempsey’s men to have won because for much of the game they were second best, as Brian Meade lorded midfield, Seamus Kenny mopped up the breaks and Graham Reilly tormented Colm Begley.