Waterford 2-22

Laois 1-15

11 POINTS FROM Pauric Mahony and two first-half goals from Shane Walsh eased Waterford past Laois in this evening’s All-Ireland SHC qualifier at Walsh Park.

Derek McGrath’s Waterford bounced back from a 14-point mauling against Cork in the Munster SHC quarter-final replay to keep their season alive. Walsh struck two crucial first half goals for the Deise — after Neil Foyle took advantage of a goalkeeping error to net for Laois after just 57 seconds.

In front of 5,025 spectators, Waterford had recovered to lead by 2-10 to 1-5 at half-time. The sides were level at 1-5 each before Waterford reeled off an unanswered 1-5 to gain complete control.

Walsh’s first goal was knocked home from close range in the tenth minute, after the experienced forward finished off brilliant approach work by Colin Dunford. And Walsh raised his second green flag in the 22nd minute to spark that late first half scoring flurry for Waterford.

Ryan Donnelly of Waterford with John A. Delaney of Laois. Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Waterford registered 10 first-half wides in that first half but still had plenty in reserve against a disappointing Laois, who had Willie Hyland in excellent form nonetheless. Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett’s side travelled south with high hopes of pulling off a shock result, having rattled Galway in Leinster.

But Waterford were 11 points clear – 2-17 to 1-9 – before Laois finally sparked into life in the second half. A run of five points without reply reduced the deficit to just six points but with man of the match Kevin Moran returning to top form, Waterford stepped on the gas again to record a comfortable 10-point success.

Scorers for Waterford: Pauric Mahony 0-11 (10f), Shane Walsh 2-1, Jake Dillon 0-3, Gavin O’Brien 0-2, Darragh Fives, Austin Gleeson, Colin Dunford, Seamus Prendergast & Kevin Moran 0-1 each.Scorers for Laois: Willie Hyland 0-5, Neil Foyle 1-0, Matthew Whelan (2 65s), Stephen Maher (2f), Ross King (2f) & John Purcell 0-2 each, Joe Campion & Charles Dwyer 0-1 each.

WATERFORD:

1. Stephen O’Keeffe (Ballygunner)
2. Shane Fives (Carrigtwohill)
3. Liam Lawlor (Fourmilewater)
4. Padraig Prendergast (Lismore)
5. Darragh Fives (Tourin)
6. Michael Walsh (Stradbally)
7. Tadhg de Burca (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg)
8. Kevin Moran (De La Salle)
9. Shane O’Sullivan (Ballygunner)
10. Jake Dillon (De La Salle)
11. Pauric Mahony (Ballygunner)
12. Austin Gleeson (Mount Sion)
13. Ryan Donnelly (Dungarvan)
14. Shane Walsh (Fourmilewater)
15. Colin Dunford (Colligan)

Subs:
23. Seamus Prendergast (Ardmore) for Donnelly (31).
20. Gavin O’Brien (Roanmore) for Gleeson (51).
22. Martin O’Neill (Mount Sion) for S Walsh (64).
24. Jamie Nagle (Dungarvan) for O’Sullivan (67).
21. Richie Foley (Abbeyside) for D Fives (68).

LAOIS:

1. Eoin Reilly (St Lazerian’s Abbeyleix)
2. John A Delaney (Clough Ballacolla)
3. Brian Campion (Rathdowney Errill)
4. Brian Stapleton (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
5. Joe Fitzpatrick (Rathdowney Errill)
6. Matthew Whelan (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
7. Tom Delaney (Clough Ballacolla)
8. Dwane Palmer (Camross)
19. Paddy Purcell (Rathdowney Errill)
10. Joe Campion (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
11. Willie Hyland (Clough Ballacolla)
12. Stephen Maher (Clough Ballacolla)
13. Neil Foyle (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
14. Charles Dwyer (Ballinakill)
15. Tommy Fitzgerald (Portlaoise).

Subs:

9. James Walsh (Ballinakill) for J Campion (half-time).
17. Darren Maher (Clough Ballacolla) for Stapleton (half-time).
26. Ciaran Collier (Camross) for Palmer (41).
22. John Purcell (Rathdowney Errill) for P Purcell (51).
20. Ross King (Rathdowney Errill) for S Maher (54).

Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway).

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