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Laois Retain Division One League Status After Tense Battle

Saturday, 24 July 2021 21:20

They had three points to spare over Westmeath.

Laois have been spared the drop to division two hurling in 2022. 

They defeated Westmeath 1-27 to 0-27 in the Allianz Hurling League relegation playoff this evening. 

There's no doubt the first half sending off of Aaron Craig for an apparent stamp had a massive bearing on the outcome of this game. 

The Lake county had started much the better of the two sides and led by six points, 0-17 to 1-8 at the time of Craig's dismissal. 

PJ Scully proved to be the key man for Laois in the second half, knocking over 0-11 the most of which were frees. 

Shane O'Brien will be left ruing the ill-discipline of his half back and will now have to negotiate a division two league campaign in the build up th a Leinster Championship challenge. 

For Laois the late sending off of Willie Dunphy couldn't dampen the spirits and it has been a remarkable turnaround from the side that hadn't won a game in 2021 until three weeks ago.

The showed great composure despite the deficit and also at the death when Westmeath were pressing for a late green flag. 

Laois scorers: 

PJ Scully 0-17, Ross King 1-2, Cha Dwyer 0-3, Willie Dunphy/Jack Kelly both 0-2, Paddy Purcell 0-1

Westmeath Scorers: 

Killian Doyle 0-11, Niall O'Brien 0-7, Darragh McNicholas 0-3, Ciaran Doyle 0-2, Niall Mitchell/Joey Boyle/Aonghus Clarke/Kevin Regan all 0-1. 

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