Wexford secure historic semi-final place

Wexford 2-12 Laois 0-15

Wexford edged past Laois to win through to their first NFL semi-final berth in 54 years, at Wexford Park.

The Model men will take on the might of 2003 champions Tyrone later this month, as first half goals from Matty Forde and substitute Darragh Breen helped them claim another victory.

Laois fired from the off however, arrowing into a three-point lead as Donal Miller, Shane Cooke, Ross Munnelly and Noel Garvan all split the posts.

A defensive slip by first-timer Paul Begley saw Forde given enough time and space on 13 minutes, to slot Wexford's first goal past Diarmuid Kinsella.

Mick O'Dwyer's visitors - while conceding scores from Hegarty, Forde, Paddy Colfer and Redmond Barry - kept in the hunt as Miller and Stephen Kelly pointed nearing half-time.

Then, a superb Wexford move ended with Breen goaling for a 2-07 to 0-09 interval lead.

Laois began to take a bigger interest on the restart as Colm Begley, Cooke, Chris Conway and Donie Brennan replied for the midlanders.

Conway - replying to two Forde frees - levelled things up on 54 minutes, but incredibly that was to be the visitors' final score.

Breen, Colfer and All-Star Forde wrapped up the points for Wexford.

The fact that Wexford are managed by Laois man Pat Roe is an irony that was not lost on both sets of supporters.