Laois retain O'Byrne Shield

LAOIS 1-13 CARLOW 1-06

Chris Bergin (1-04) top scored for Laois as Sean Dempsey's charges retained the O'Byrne Shield at Dr Cullen Park.

The visitors began brightly with Bergin amassing 1-03 in the first half, including an 11th minute goal, as Laois claimed a 1-06 to 0-05 half-time lead.

A wind-assisted Laois broke into a 1-11 to 0-06 lead with 13 minutes remaining, but Carlow finished strongly with a John Murphy goal.

However, Laois remained resilient with points from Shane Conlon and Peter McNulty ensuring back-to-back Shield titles.