Sligo slump to third loss in a row as Laois secure vital win in Division three

Laois started like a train here which laid the foundations for their victory.

VITAL WIN: Mark Barry impressed for Laois. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady.

NFL Division 3 Round 3: Laois 0-23 Sligo 0-16

The Laois footballers have picked up their second win of this season's NFL Division 3 after a hugely impressive first-half performance laid the foundations for a vital triumph.

Having lost to Offaly in their first outing and then blowing Leitrim away last Saturday, this, it was felt would provide a better barometer of where they stood.

Sligo, though, were in even more need of the points having lost their opening two games to Offaly and Kildare.

But despite playing for the third week running, Laois started like a train here. They were 0-7 to 0-1 up after a quarter of an hour and it was 0-14 to 0-4 by half time.

In all they had nine different scorers in the first half. Mark Barry was Sligo's chief tormentor with five points while James Kelly kicked a two-pointer and Damon Larkin, Danny O'Reilly, Padraig Kirwan, Kevin Swayne, Killian Roche, Brian Byrne and Ben Dempsey all pointed from play.

Laois could have had a goal too only for a fine Aidan Devaney save on Damon Larkin. Laois's first-half dominance was built on a strong performance on the Sligo kickout and though that levelled off as the half wore on, Laois still yielded 0-14 from 21 shots.

Sligo had 0-4 from 14 though they did hit the crossbar with one goal effort and Roche made a great save on Alan McLoughlin.

Laois were well in command but with the new rules and a slight wind, Sligo weren't utterly out of contention.

As the second half got underway, Sligo did up their performance for spells and four two-point scores - where Niall Murphy and Alan McLoughlin were impressive - helped close the gap. But Laois always had a response.

Half time sub Josh Hogan impressed in what was just his second senior appearance and as well as kicking a lovely score himself, he also did really well to set one up for Barry.

The O'Dempsey's man gave an exhibition and finished with 11 points, three of them frees that were brought up for Sligo indiscipline. Ben Dempsey and Killian Roche (free) also got second-half points.

At one stage Laois were 12 points ahead in the second half and though Sligo rallied well and kept the scoreboard moving, Laois had more than enough to spare.

Two wins from three games has them sitting nicely in the top half of the table. Next up is a trip to the new St Conleth's Park in Newbridge to do battle with league leaders Kildare next Saturday.

Sligo, now with three losses in a row and no points to show for their efforts, are firmly in a relegation battle. They welcome Fermanagh to Markievicz Park on Sunday.

Scorers for Laois: M Barry 0-11 (5f), K Roche (1f), James Kelly (2p) and B Dempsey 0-2 each, B Byrne, P Kirwan, K Swayne, D O'Reilly, D Larkin and J Hogan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Sligo: A McLoughlin 0-7 (3 2p, 1f), N Murphy 0-6 2f, 2p f free), C Lally, E Smith, R Doherty 0-1.

LAOIS: K Roche; B Dempsey, T Collins, S Fingleton; P Kirwan, J Kelly, B Byrne; S Lacey, D Larkin; K Swayne, R Coffey, D O’Reilly; M Barry, B Carroll, N Corbet.

Subs: J Hogan for Carroll (HT), C Heffernan for Lacey (40), P O'Sullivan for O'Reilly (55), F Holland for Larkin (66), R Brady for Barry (68).

SLIGO: A Devaney; P McNamara, N Mullen, E Lyons; B Cox, D Cummins, L Deignan; C Mulligan, Kilcoyne; C Lally, A McLoughlin, R Doherty; A Reilly, P O'Connor, N Murphy.

Subs: E Smith for Deignan (HT), D Lyons for Devaney (HT), L Towey for Kilcoyne (HT), D Quinn for Lally (55).

Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).