Laois claim first League points

Laois 3-14 Dublin 1-6

Dublin’s hurlers were on the end of a second heavy defeat in the space of a week, as Laois claimed their first points of the NHL Division 1A campaign, winning out at O’Moore Park.

The Capital side are pointless and staring at the drop following their fourth loss in as many games.

Laois, who troubled All-Ireland champions Kilkenny last week, were set on their way by a 13th minute penalty from James Young, after a Damien Culleton pass had been kicked to the Dublin net by Tommy Fitzgerald, but play was called back for the penalty decision.

Debutant Dublin goalkeeper Ger O’Meara was to see a further two goals past him in the second half, but Young rounded off a competent first half display (1-5), as Canice Coonan pointed on 32 minutes for a 1-8 to 0-4 half time lead.

Liam Ryan had begun and ended the Dublin scoring in the first half, with points from play and after half-forward Conal Keaney had opened the scoring two minutes into the second period, and it was Ryan who crashed a goal past the stick of Laois net minder Kevin Galvin on 42 minutes.

A quick fire 1-1 from David Cuddy, his goal from a neat Fitzgerald offload, reopened a sizeable lead for Laois and the win was confirmed in front of 661 spectators, with a third goal on 57 minutes through substitute Eamonn Jackman.