Strong Laois finish secures win over Sligo

Sligo 2-08 Laois 1-14, Markievicz Park, Allianz Football League

Persistence paid off for Laois as a strong finish earned Justin McNulty's charges their fourth win of the campaign at Markievicz Park.

Adrian Marren's 28th-minute penalty gave Sligo a 1-02 to 0-03 lead, but a Brendan Quigley goal tied the game at the interval.

Marren's second goal edged Sligo ahead within eight minutes of the restart, before Laois dug deep with crucial scores from John O'Loughlin, MJ Tierney, Niall Donoher and Darren Strong in the closing stages.

After suffering defeats to Kildare and Tyrone in recent weeks, the O'Moore men travelled to Sligo hoping to get their bid for promotion back on track.

An impressive 2-18 to 1-11 win for Sligo over Antrim in the previous round gave the Yeatsmen great confidence approaching this game, but the hosts were to slump to a third successive home defeat.

Some poor shooting in the opening half ultimately cost Sligo this game as they left to rue seven first half wides. Six of those wides came in the opening 10 minutes.

Kevin Walsh's side had dominated the early possession, but there was no reflection of this on the scoreboard. Marren opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Laois responded with points from Gary Kavanagh and Ross Munnelly.

Darren Strong blazed wide of the target for Laois in the 18th minute, but a first pointed free from MJ Tierney pushed the visitors two points clear in the 23rd minute.

Sligo's Alan Costello cut the deficit to the minimum with a superb point from play off his right. The home forwards continued to press hard and were rewarded with a penalty in the 28th minute.

Sean Davey was fouled and Laois' Kevin Meaney picked up a yellow card for the offence. Marren converted the place-kick to push his side 1-02 to 0-03 clear.

Tierney's second point cut was then followed by excellent scores from play from Sean Davey and Costello, ensuring the goal separated the sides approaching half-time.

Tierney and Marren traded points before Laois rattled the Sligo net in the third minute of injury-time. Kavanagh was the provider for Brendan Quigley to drill home a powerful shot, leaving goalkeeper Philip Greene with little chance.

The sides headed for the dressing rooms at 1-05 apiece and when they re-emerged for the second half, defences were on top once again until Laois broke through in the 42nd minute.

McNulty's men edged ahead thanks to a well-placed effort from former Aussie Rules player Colm Begley. But almost immediately, Sligo responded with Marren's second goal. He profited from an excellent delivery in from Charlie Harrison.

Laois took their cue to string together a trio of points. Strong, substitute Niall Donoher and John O'Loughlin pushed the midlanders one point clear in the 51st minute.

Marren brought his tally to 2-03 with an equalisier two minutes later, but tellingly Laois were beginning to come into their own.

The visitors looked very composed in front of the posts. A fourth successful shot from Tierney and O'Loughlin's second point saw them move 1-11 to 2-06 ahead with 14 minutes left on the clock.

Marren completed his match tally of 2-04 in the 59th minute with a well-executed free, before Tierney split the posts from the tightest of angles.

Strong added another point after excellent work by Donoher to give Laois a 1-13 to 2-07 advantage with little over six minutes remaining.

Sligo stalwart Eamonn O'Hara claimed a late score, but the last ten minutes belonged to Laois for the most part. An injury-time point from Begley put the seal on a well-merited win for the Leinster side.