Scully fires hat-trick as Laois surge to victory

Laois 4-18 Wexford 1-19: Walsh Cup:

A hat-trick from PJ Scully was decisive as Laois overcome Wexford in Abbeyleix to advance to a Walsh Cup semi-final meeting with Dublin.

Wexford led 1-4 to 0-5 after 14 minutes with a goal from Kevin Foley but Laois turned it around before the break to lead 2-10 to 1-10 thanks to Scully’s first goal, and a superb effort from Stephen Maher. Wexford drew level early in the second half with Shane Tomkins to the fore but a brace of goals from Scully put daylight between the teams the last, nine minutes from time, settling the tie.

LAOIS: E Rowland; J A Delaney, C Healy, C Dunne; J Fitzpatrick, M Whelan (0-2f), C Stapleton; J Campion (0-1), J Walsh; W Hyland (0-4), T Fitzgerald, S Maher (1-6, 0-5f); B Conroy (0-1), PJ Scully (3-1), N Foyle (0-2).

Subs: T Delaney for J Walsh (HT); D Palmer for C Stapleton (49); J Purcell (0-1) for B Conroy (51); B Reddin for T Fitzgerald (56); B Stapleton for N Foyle (69)

WEXFORD: M Fanning; L Ryan, T Waters, E Moore; R Kehoe, P Foley, C Kenny; B Barron (0-2), G Sinnott; J Kelly (0-3), D Waters (0-1), I Byrne (0-2); C O’Shaughnessy (0-1), S Tomkins (0-4), K Foley (1-1).

Subs: P Doran for C O’Shaugnessey (HT); W Devereux for G Sinnott (49); D Redmond for R Kehoe (49); A Kenny for L Ryan (49); P Morris (0-5, 0-4f)for I Byrne (54); S O’Gorman for C Kenny (55)

Referee: Peter Burke (Kilkenny).