Laois 'stood up' says Justin McNulty as they secure thrilling Tailteann Cup semi-final win over Antrim
Laois' Brian Byrne celebrates after scoring his side's third goal against Antrim. Picture: ©INPHO/Tom Maher
Before the start of this year's Tailteann Cup, Laois captain Evan O'Carroll spoke about how difficult last winter had been.
"Probably the most difficult time I've had after an inter-county season," he acknowledged.
He was referring to the 8-16 spanking that Laois took from Down at the semi-final stage of last year's second tier championship, ending their season on the lowest of notes.
A year on, having beaten Antrim at the same stage to secure their first ever final place, and now under Justin McNulty's management, they are not quite redeemed but certainly rejuvenated.
A thrilling final quarter display in front of 10,348 at Croke Park in which they came from three points down to ultimately win by five secured their return to Croke Park next month, to play Down again.
Defender Brian Byrne scored two crucial goals for Laois while Kevin Swayne struck the other.
There were strong performances too from Mark Barry, who sniped four points, the evergreen O'Carroll and sweeper 'keeper Killian Roche who even managed to get in on the scoring with a score from play.
"At crucial moments, our fellas really stood up," said McNulty.
"It looked like we were in trouble big style but the fellas maintained their composure and kept executing the game plan as best they could.
"There were numerous chances we left behind us so there is a big area for improvement there but they kept grinding and we were very pleased with that."
As for Antrim, it's the end of their season and they will lament the poor final 20 minutes or so when they relinquished a three-point lead and were outscored by 2-5 to 0-3.
Rewind back to the 25th minute and they were ahead by two, apparently enjoying the vast acreage of GAA HQ.
They didn't score again until the second-half as Laois finished the period strongly, reeling off 1-2 without response to take a 1-7 to 0-7 half-time lead.
Laois should have kicked on after the restart but wasted a potential 1-3 in the first 11 minutes of the second-half.
They kicked three wides in that period while Eoin Lowry smashed a 44th minute shot off the crossbar after great work by O'Carroll on the right.
Antrim cleared that one away and began a move that ended with Patrick McAleer netting to move his side 1-10 to 0-7 clear.
Antrim, however, only scored three more points in the contest as Laois, for the second time in the game, responded well to the gauntlet being thrown down.
They were brilliant in the last quarter and Swayne's 54th minute goal, a fisted effort following a ball across by sub Eoin Buggie, ignited them. Byrne added his second goal in the 68th minute.
"Things worked out better for us today than Antrim, it was no strategic superiority or anything, just one of those days when we got the break of the ball at crucial times and got over the line," said McNulty.
"On another day, it could easily have been Antrim."
Brian Byrne 2-0, Mark Barry 0-4 (0-1f), Kevin Swayne 1-0, Evan O'Carroll 0-2, James Kelly 0-2, Niall Dunne 0-2 (1m), Killian Roche 0-1, Paul Kingston 0-1.
Patrick McBride 0-5, Patrick McAleer 1-0, Dominic McEnhill 0-3 (0-1f, 0-1m), Colm McLarnon 0-2, Michael Byrne 0-1 (0-1 45), Ruairi McCann (Creggan) 0-1, Conor Hand 0-1.
Killian Roche; James Kelly, Mark Timmons, Ben Dempsey; Seamus Lacey, Brian Byrne, Simon Fingleton; Damon Larkin, Conor Heffernan; Mark Barry, Evan O'Carroll, Kevin Swayne; Eoin Lowry, Niall Dunne, Paul Kingston.
Sub: Eoin Buggie for Lacey 46, Rioghan Murphy for Lowry 46, Kieran Lillis for Swayne 68, Shaun Fitzpatrick for Byrne 71, Ciaran Burke for Larkin 72.
Michael Byrne; Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan, James McDonnell; Joseph Finnegan, Declan Lynch, Dermot McAleese; Patrick McAleer, Cathal Hynds; Ruairi McCann (Creggan), Patrick McBride, Colm McLarnon; Dominic McEnhill, Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon), Marc Jordan.
Subs: Peter Healy for McDonnell h/t, Eoin Hynds for McAleer 57, Conor Hand for McLarnon 57, Ryan McQuillan for McCann (Aghagallon) 60, Niall Burns for Lynch 60.
Liam Devenney (Mayo).
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