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Down ruled supreme at Croke Park yesterday dispatching Laois to win the Tailteann Cup for the first time in the opening game of an Ulster double header. It also means they will rightfully take their place in the race for Sam Maguire in 2025.
While Down got off to a better start putting three unanswered points on the scoreboard a goal ten minutes in from Laois saw the game really get going although replies from Down saw them going in after 35, two points ahead 0-8 to 1-3.
In the second half Down kept the pressure on steadily adding points going in to the last minute of the game 5 points ahead. Even a last chance goal in the 35th minute by Laois couldn't change the result with Down emerging victorious with final score Down 0-14 Laois 2-6.
Down scorers: Odhran Murdock 0-3, Pat Havern 0-3 (0-1f), Danny Magill 0-2, Liam Kerr 0-1, Shealan Johnston 0-1, Jonny Flynn 0-1, Ryan Johnston 0-1, Caolan Mooney 0-1, Peter Fegan 0-1.
Laois scorers: Mark Barry 1-2 (0-1f), Seamus Lacey 1-0, Paul Kingston 0-1 (0-1f), Evan O'Carroll 0-1, Killian Roche 0-1 (0-1f), Conor Heffernan 0-1.
Down: John O'Hare; Peter Fegan, Ryan McEvoy, Pierce Laverty; Miceal Rooney, Daniel Guinness, Shealan Johnston; Odhran Murdock, Pat Havern; Paddy McCarthy, Jonny Flynn, Liam Kerr; James Guinness, Ryan Johnston, John McGovern. Subs: Caolan Mooney for McGovern 39, Danny Magill for Rooney 44, Ryan Magill for James Guinness 57, Conor McCrickard for Ryan Johnston 69, Finn McElroy for Kerr 73.
Laois: Killian Roche; James Kelly, Simon Fingleton, Mark Timmons; Seamus Lacey, Brian Byrne, Ben Dempsey; Damon Larkin, Conor Heffernan; Niall Dunne, Eoin Lowry, Kevin Swayne; Mark Barry, Evan O'Carroll, Paul Kingston. Subs: Rioghan Murphy for Lowry 57, Shaun Fitzpatrick for Kingston 66, Kieran Lillis for Larkin 69, Ciaran Burke for Dunne 69, Eoin Buggie for Kelly 71.
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).
