McCarthy saves Limerick blushes against Laois

Limerick 1-18 Laois 0-16

Donal O'Grady had Richie McCarthy to thank as Limerick avoided an embarrassing defeat to Laois at the Gaelic Grounds in a game that was marred by two serious injuries.

Limerick's Niall Moran was an early casualty with a suspected neck injury and just at the start of the second half, after Pat Tobin had blasted home Limerick's only goal, Laois goalkeeper Patrick Mullaney was stretchered off with a neck injury which required nine minutes of stoppage time to be added.

It was a very sluggish performamce by Limerick who had to rely on a strong closing ten minutes to remain unbeaten in Division 2 of the Allianz Hurling League.

Laois had the benefit of the very strong breeze in the first half during which the sides were level five times. Sean Burke's late point put the midlanders 0-09 to 0-08 in front. Earlier, Willie Hyland and Owen Holohan scored a brace of points each.

Tobin's goal, from a lay off by Kevin Downes, was followed by a McCarthy point when play resumed after the Mullaney injury. That left Limerick with a 1-09 to 0-09 advantage.

A pointed free from Hyland and a marvellous effort by Eoin Costelloe left the minimum between them with six minutes remaining in normal time. By which point, Laois had ten wides compared to nine for Limerick.

Man-of-the-match McCarthy, who landed 0-08 in all, and Seamus Hickey had Limerick motoring well, but only a goal separated them following another spurt from Laois.

But two more McCarthy points - one from a free - and another from Paul Browne made the game safe for the home side who had excellent performances by Tom Condon, Hickey and Brian Geary in defence, and midfielders Donal O'Grady and Browne also did well.

Laois will be disappointed that they did not get a draw but Hyland, who scored 0-06, had an immense contribution. In general, the visitors lacked cohesion and their final tally of 11 wides told its own story.