REPORT: Carlow defeated by Laois in All-Ireland Minor 'B' Championship Semi-Final

Laois 3-15

Carlow 0-6

Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor 'B' Championship Semi-Final

Laois started the game on the front foot and their first score was a green flag as Kaylah O’Meara’s shot was blocked with Kaylee O’Keefe on hand to blast the ball into the Carlow net. 

Carlow responded well to the Laois goal as they fired over two points unanswered. Caoilfhionn Lawlet and Aimie Nolan dissected the posts. This would be Carlow’s last scores for 25 minutes as Laois hit a purple patch.

Hassett pointed two frees before Laois got their second goal. Midfielder Lucy Conroy needed two attempts to raise her green flag as Aoibhinn Dowling thwarted her first attempt. Hassett would take her tally to five points as she pointed a superb point over her shoulder as well as two placed balls.

O’Keefe added a point to her earlier goal while Aoife Daly finished off a good Laois move that saw Hassett pass the ball to captain Tara Lowry before the Camross woman set up Daly to score. Catherine Kirby and Lowry adding a score each for Niall Cuddy’s men.

Leah Ryan finally got another score for Carlow as the game looked as good as over at the break. Hassett ended the half with her sixth point of the contest with her fifth free. Mia Henderson stopped a certain goal as she saved from Sarah Sheehan.

Carlow came out all guns blazing in the second half as they got the first three points after the restart. Aimie Nolan got her second point of the game before Henderson was called into action again as she saved superbly from Nolan yet again.

Holly Wall Murphy pointed two frees for Carlow as they looked to get back into the game. However, Laois would make sure their lead wouldn’t be relinquished as they would soon receive a huge boost with Carlow going down to 14 players. Nolan receiving her marching orders for a second yellow card. 

Laois took full advantage of the extra player as Hassett pointed a 45’ while O’Keefe took her tally to 1-2 for the contest. A third Laois goal would follow as substitute Susie Delaney set up O’Keefe to get her second goal. O’Keefe added another point to her tally before Delaney pointed from play and from a placed ball.

O’Keefe capped off a super performance with the last point of the game as Laois ran out comfortable winners in the end. Laois will face Roscommon in the All-Ireland Minor B Championship Final.