Laois 1-11
Armagh 1-10
LAOIS WITHSTOOD A terrific second-half onslaught from Armagh to confirm their progress in the A group of qualifiers.
Mick Lillis’ men had won when the sides met a fortnight ago but having used one sub too many, had to replay the game.
They were clearly intent on making no mistake this time around and Niall Donoher had a point after 31 seconds.
The brilliant Conway added another and set up Darren Strong for a third before Armagh got their only score of the half with a 15th minute point by Micheál McKenna, whose delicate lob bounced over off the crossbar.
Conway fired an outstanding score and Paul Cahillane slotted an easy free before Conor Meredith showed good strength and composure to fire low to the Armagh net three minutes before the break to make it 1-5 to 0-1.
Armagh were a completely different proposition in the second half, showing great character as they chipped away with a couple of points before Rory Grugan fired a goal in the 45th minute.
Tony Kernan blazed wide from a glorious position having been set up by Grugan four minutes later, but undeterred, they kicked on with points from Grugan, Stefan Campbell and influential substitute Colm Watters.
Laois showed their own determination though and Ross Munnelly came off the bench to score two points.
Armagh were dealt a blow with the sending off of Aaron Findon three minutes from time and points from Gary Walsh and John O’Loughlin edged the hosts home.
Scorers for Laois: C Meredith 1-0; D Conway, R Munnelly (1f), J O’Loughlin 0-2 each; P Cahillane (f), N Donoher, D Strong, D Kingston (f), G Walsh (f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Armagh: R Grugan 1-2; S Campbell 0-4(3fs); C Watters 0-2; M McKenna, B Donaghy 0-1 each.
Laois
1 Graham Brody
2 Stephen Attride
3 Mark Timmons
17 Gearoid Hanrahan
5 Darren Strong
6 Kieran Lillis
4 Damien O’Connor
8 Brendan Quigley
20 John O’Loughlin
12 Colm Begley
11 Paul Cahillane
10 Niall Donoher
13 Conor Meredith
14 Donie Kingston
15 David Conway
Subs
19 Alan Farrell for O’Connor BC (21)
9 Kevin Meaney for Donoher (47)
25 Ross Munnelly for Conway (54)
7 Gareth Dillon for Strong (57)
24 Gary Walsh for Cahillane (64)
22 Matthew Campion for Quigley (70+3)
Armagh
1 Patrick Morrison
2 Shea Hefron
3 Brendan Donaghy
4 Joe McElroy
6 Andy Mallon
8 Charlie Vernon
5 Seán Connell
9 Aaron Findon
7 Stephen Sheridan
10 Tony Kernan
11 Rory Grugan
12 Aidan Forker
15 Micheál McKenna
14 Sefan Campbell
18 Pearse Casey
Subs
13 Niall Grimley for Sheridan inj (6)
22 Eugene McVerry for Casey (27)
19 Colm Watters for Connell (ht)
17 Mark Shields for McKenna (63)
Referee: Padraig O’Sullivan (Kerry)
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I suppose the small attendance isn’t a talking point.
@Kevin McSavage: ah go on out of that you begrudging Gulpin
@Kevin McSavage: go away our of dat
@Kevin McSavage: not small from a limerick point of view. Kilkenny didn’t travel. Limerick always bring the crowd
@Peter: not true Peter. We have had more down than most through the years but always brought the crowds
@Peter: no they don’t. Not until all Ireland final day.
@Daithi O’ Shanahan: 8 thousand more than the Clare wexford game
As a rub a dub dub.. it does the heart good to watch the beautiful game played with such passion…hurling abu
Cork are in fear of us!
@Go way ba willu: kilkenny threw that game away hitting really uncharacteristic wides and then reverting to lumping high ball into a 2 man full forward line. On the basis of today cork have absolutely nothing to fear limerick will do their usual rabbit in the headlights impression once they see croke park
@domas1507: you could argue limerick nearly threw it away missing so many goal chances. Anyway, should be a cracker. Both teams play a great style of hurling. May the best team win and please God let that be limerick
@domas1507: but that’s always been Kilkenny game plan,long ball to henry or fennelly etc, nothing changed there. Except today it was stopped a bit more that usual, targeted Limerick back line but limited success due to good defending and their forward line being poor at times, think Cork have more sense than yourself tbh,they won’t fear Limerick and vice versa, but they’ll be aware of what they can potentially do! Ignorant to just basically write Limerick off
And now Brian….P.F.O. Good man
Strange to see all Leinster teams eliminated by early July, that hasn’t happened for a long time.
Cork game 50/50. This team is seriously tough
I have fancied Limerick to reach the final since the start of the season. Now I’m not so sure. Kilkennys were knackered after the two Galway matches. Otherwise they would have beaten Limerick right back to the Shannon???