Kildare minor hurlers hit four goals to get past Laois in opening Championships round

Electric Ireland Leinster M.H.C. Round 1

Kildare 4-11

Laois 0-15

Goals from Sean McLoughlin, Tom Power and two from Cian McGrath were crucial for Kildare as they got past Laois in a thrilling game in Manguard Park. Referee Ciaran Flynn let this game flow, perhaps more than than the rulebook would have allowed for, but the man in the middle's laissez-faire approach facilitated an enthralling tie. 

The Lillies hit 4-4 in the opening half in the face of a strong breeze and after withstanding the propelled Laois pressure, Kildare reduced the visitors to just 0-2 in the second.

A brilliant win for Adrian Kinsella's side.

Full report in Tuesday's Leinster Leader.

Kildare, Tom Power 1-5 (0-3 frees, 0-1 '65), Cian McGrath 2-0, Sean McLoughlin 1-1, Oran Byrne 0-1, John Dee 0-1, Colm Gordon 0-1, Paddy Kenendy 0-1, Fionn Frisby 0-1.

Laois, Eoin Delaney 0-5, Tom Óg Phelan 0-4 (0-4 frees), Tony Mahoney 0-2 (0-2 frees), Eoin Bracken 0-2, Kyron Cuddy 0-1, Daniel Whelan 0-1.

KILDARE: Fionn Kelly; Dáibhí Reynolds, Conall Knox, Joey McNulty; Colm Gordon, Ciaran Dunne, Oisín O'Neill; Oran Byrne, John Dee; Ronan O'Malley, Paddy Kennedy, Sean McLoughlin; Cian McGrath, Michael Owens, Tom Power. Subs: Darragh Devine for Colm Gordon (42 minutes), Fionn Frisby for Ronan O'Malley (48 minutes), Gavin Kenny for Michael Owens (48 minutes), Odhrán Conaty for Oran Byrne (55 minutes), Cillian Price for Joey McNulty (56 minutes).

LAOIS: Ethan Lafferty; Conor Mortimer, Shane Walsh, Aaron Walsh; Eoin Duggan, Ruaidhrí Kavanagh, Tony Mahony; Tommy Goode, Daniel Whelan; Eoin Delaney, Oisín Moore, Eoin Bracken; Ross Deegan, Tom Óg Phelan, Kyron Cuddy. Subs: Colm Brennan for Oisín Moore (22 minutes), Shane Connolly for Ross Deegan  (45 minutes), Ben Holohan for Shane Walsh (49 minutes), Ashton Keenan for Daniel Whelan (55 minutes).

Referee: Ciaran Flynn (Meath)