Laois take another step towards return to tier one hurling with victory over Kerry

The Kingdom came into the game off the back of successive victories in the opening two rounds, but this top-of-table clash was always likely to be the true barometer of their standing and, on the basis of this game, they still have a ways to go.

In as much as this was a genuine contest, it was one Kerry were never truly in, Laois taking control inside the opening minutes and never letting go from there.

The ten-point margin at the finish, if anything, flattered the Kingdom given the visitor’s level of dominance in the tie. The Leinster men had 14 missed chances in all, including a pair of first-half goal-scoring opportunities saved on the line by the green and gold.

In truth, Kerry were always likely to be up against it here, a developing side up against a battle-hardened outfit. That being the case, they needed everything to go their way. Instead they let Laois get an early run on them.

It really was the worst possible sort of a start for the green and gold. Inside the opening ten minutes, the Kingdom had practically gift-wrapped 1-1 for their guests, who no doubt were bowled over by the generosity.

Still, regardless of their hosts’ hospitality, Laois looked the better side pretty much from the moment Liam O’Connell swept over the opening score after 20 seconds.

The Leinster men looked sharper, stronger, bigger for the most part and a cut above in their technical skills. With that in mind the last thing Kerry needed to do was concede an early goal, least of all through a mistake of their own making as happened six minutes in.

Ronan Walsh – who later shot three fine long-distance efforts – gave away a poor turn-over which was seized upon by Paddy Purrcell, who in turn found Tomás Keyes for the game's opening goal.

The home gave away another possession – through Luke Crowley – for a point by Tom Cuddy. That put Laois four points clear, 0-1 to 1-2, and, while the Kingdom stemmed the bleeding somewhat thereafter, Laois continued to hold the whip hand.

They were ten points clear at the break, 0-7 to 1-10, and carried on in that vein in the second half. Not even the repositioning of Kerry star man Fionán Mackessy at full-forward late on making much of a dent on a rock-solid Laois full-back line.

Laois sail on, odds on favourites to make the final at this juncture.

Scorers – Kerry: F Mackessy 0-5 (2f), C Walsh 0-4 (3f), R Walsh 0-3, M O’Connor 0-3 (2f, 1 ‘65), K Hayes 0-1, M Leane 0-1, B Barrett 0-1

Laois: A Dunphy 0-11 (8f, 1 ‘65), T Keyes 1-1, S Maher 0-3 (2f, 1 ‘65), L O’Connell 0-2, A Corby 0-2, P Purcell 0-2, D Dooley 0-2, T Cuddy 0-1, J Lennon 0-1

KERRY: L Dee, E Murphy, F McCarthy, E Leen, D Griffin, F Mackessy, K O’Connor, D Shanahan, R Walsh, C Walsh, D Goggin, K Hayes, L Crowley, M O’Connor, M Leane

Subs: G Dooley for D Goggin, 41, B Barrett for K Hayes, 41, N Mulcahy for M O’Connor, 47, D Woulfe for L Crowley, 51, B Keane for D Shanahan, 70 (+2) Blood: B Keane for E Leen, 35 (+2) 35 (+3)

LAOIS: E Rowland, I Shanahan, R Mullaney, D Conway, L O’Connell, P Delaney, T Cuddy, A Corby, P Purcell, A Dunphy, S Maher, D Dooley (0-2), T Keyes, M Dowling, J Quinlan

Subs: W Dunphy for S Maher (HT), F C Fennell for T Cuddy, 54, M Phelan for J Quinlan, 58, J Lennon for P Purcell, 63, R King for M Dowling, 67

REFEREE: Colm McDonald (Antrim)