Laois too good for Kildare in Leinster Minor Hurling Championship

Laois minor hurlers deservedly defeated Kildare in the Electric Ireland Leinster Hurling Championship at Manguard Park, Hawkfield, this afternoon, in dreadful conditions throughout.

Initially the wind was the problem but when the rain arrived it was just horrible as both teams did their best in extremely testing conditions.

Laois took control very early and dominated all over the field leading 1-5 to 0-1 after 16 minutes, the goal coming from Cillin Hoey.

Inn fairness Kildare got themselves back into the game before the break, through thrre points from Cuan Óg Mac Aogain and two points from Eoghan Lyons but still trailed at the break 1-7 to 0-5, LJ Cuddy being the main Laois scorer.

The second half was a dour affair and on 50 minutes both sides had only managed a single point each.

Laois added points from Cuddy and Callum Jones while Kildare replied with Cuan Óg Mac Aogain free and Oisin McAffe  oint from play but it was not enough as Laois ran out well-deserved winners on a final score line of Laois 1-10 Kildare 0-8.

Scorers: Laois, LJ Cuddy 0-6 (4 frees), Cillin Hoey 1-1, Oisin Gilligan 0-1, Bobby O'Connor 0-1, Cillin Hoey 0-1.

Kildare, Cuan Óg Mac Aogain 0-4 (4 frees), Eoghan Lyons 0-2, Oisin McAffee 0-2 (1 free).

KILDARE: Elliott Dwyer (Celbridge); Conor Dunphy (Naas); Cathal Cosgrove (Leixlip), Jack King (Celbridge); Senan Nicholson (Leixlip), Charlie Allen (Kilcock), Dara Lynch (Confey); Aaron Moylan (Confey), Finnan O'Rourke (Rathangan); Michael Reilly (Naas), Adam Conway (Clane), Oisin McAffee (Eire Og CC); Eoghan Lyons (Leixlip), Sean Higgins (Naas), Cuan Óg MacAogain (Naas). Subs: Senan Boran (Naas) for Charlie Allen (half-time); Patrick O'Brien (Celbridge) for Sean Higgins (47 minutes); Bobby Gallagher (Kilcock) for Adam Conway (51 minutes); Luke Cahill (Broadford) for Eoghan Lyons (57 minutes);

LAOIS: Ryan Keeshan; Conor Hickey, Jack Rice, Darragh Keeshan; Harry Donoghue, Dan Bowe, Oisin McRedmond; Luke Hynes, Jamie Mahony; Dan Downey, Callum Jones, Bobby O'Connor; Oisin Gilligan, Callum Jones, Cillian Hoey. Subs: Rory Standish for Darragh Keeshan (44 minutes); Tadhg Lowry for Cillian Hoey (54 minutes); Luke Delaney for Jamie Mahon (58 minutes); Killiaan James for Oisin Gilligan (60 minutes).

REFEREE: Conor Dawson, Wexford.