Laois ladies opened their 2026 All Ireland Intermediate campaign today when they welcomed Clare to Laois Hire O’Moore Park.
Clare got the better start as they raced into a three point lead. Ellie Hanrahan opened her side’s scoring with a point in the 2nd minute. Four minutes later, she followed up with her second. Chloe Moloney then converted a free as Clare stretched their lead to three.
Laois didn’t panic and settled into the game as Emily Lacey scored Laois’ first ever two-pointer in the 9th minute. Clare kept the scoreboard ticking, with Fidelma Marrinan scoring two points from frees in the 10th and 12th minute.
Shifra Havill added Laois’ third point, but Clare extended their lead back to three as Hanrahan got her third. At 29 minutes, Lacey got her second two-pointer, this time from a free. Laois went in a point down at half-time. Half-time Laois 0-05 Clare 0-06.
Shortly after the restart, Laois were level as Havill converted a free in front of the goals. Clare replied 5 minutes later, through a point from Hanrahan. Clare were guilty of a breech, and Lacey converted the resulting free. Moloney added her second of the day for Clare, however, Sarah Larkin replied instantly for Laois. At the half-way mark of the second half, Laois and Clare were level – eight points a piece.
Anna Healy, Sinéad Farrelly, Andrea Moran and Faye McEvoy turned defence into attack as Laois searched for a score to push ahead. However, Clare dealt Laois a hammer blow when Lauren Conway found the back of Barry’s net. Marrinan pointed a free and Clare edged four points clear heading into the final 10 minutes. Laois were battling hard, as Mary Cotter turned over multiple possessions and Deirdre Phelan made a vital block to keep Laois in touch.
Lacey pointed another free and subsutitution Ellen O’Byrne got Laois’ tenth point following a brilliant direct run from Mary O’Hara. Laois were then on the wrong side of a breech, and Marrinan punished. With 57 minutes gone, Laois trailed by three.
Hanrahan extended the lead to four with less than 60 seconds to play. Laois weren’t done yet and they were thrown a lifeline when Havill was fouled inside the square, Referee Angela Gallagher stretched her arms out wide, indicating a penalty. Lacey converted, but unfortunately, Laois were just out of time as Gallagher blew the final whistle.
Final Score: Laois 1-10 Clare 1-11
Laois now face an away trip to Wexford last week in an all or nothing game. A win for either keeps them in the Championship, a loss results in a relegation battle. A positive performance from Laois with five starting championship debuts including three minors – congratulations to Deirdre Phelan, Aishling Fitzpatrick, Lara Culleton, Mia Branagan and Mary O’Hara.
Scorers: Laois – E Lacey 1-6 (1-0 Pen, 0-4 f), S Havill 0-2 (0-2 f), S Larkin and E O’Byrne 0-1 each. Clare – E Hanrahan 0-5, F Marrinan 0-4 (0-4 f), L Conway 1-0, C Moloney 0-2 (0-1 f)
Team: E Barry, D Phelan, S Farrelly, M Cotter, F McEvoy, A Moran, L Culleton, S Larkin, A Healy, A Fitzpatrick, S Havill, C Crowley, M O’Hara, E Lacey, M Branagan. Subs: Jenny Murphy for A Fitzpatrick (42 mins), Ellen O’Byrne for S Farrelly (50 mins), Ciara Byrne for M Branagan (55 mins).
By Aoife Langford Sun 7th Jun
