SEAMUS RELIEF AFTER BIG WIN

Laois

2-27 2-21

SEAMUS PLUNKETT hailed a huge win in his most difficult season in management as Laois secured their MacCarty Cup status.

Paddy Purcell’s 2-2 haul was decisive as Laois held firm to relegate Antrim to the Joe McDonagh Cup for 2022.

Laois led by 11 points early in the second half at Parnell Park but winced as the deficit was reduced to just two by a surging Saffrons.

Substitute Eoin O’Neill struck two goals for Antrim who also had a Neil McManus penalty saved during a blitzkrieg third quarter period.

Laois were also down to 13 players for a spell as Ross King was red-carded in the 49th minute and Sean Downey was sin-binned for the foul that led to the earlier penalty.

The margin was down to just two at the second water break but Laois rallied, outscoring Antrim by 1-6 to 0-5 in the final quarter to progress. They’ll be in tomorrow’s draw for the qualifiers though perhaps more significant is the fact they stay in the MacCarthy Cup.

Boss Plunkett said: “The result means that Laois are playing Championship hurling next year and gives us a chance to get reorganised and refocused.”

Laois, without a win all year beforehand, brought a ferocity to the game from the off and hit the first water break with a 0-11 to 0-4 lead.

They thundered into tackles and hoovered up the breaking ball, Podge Delaney, Ciaran McEvoy and Purcell all hammering over long range scores.

Purcell’s first goal in stoppage time left the midlanders 1-17 to 0-10 clear at halftime and apparently cruising.

The build-up to the goal summed up Laois’ energy and industry as Antrim’s Ciaran Johnston was dispossessed, allowing Purcell in.

But it was only the beginning of an even more dramatic period as sub O’Neill threw Antrim a lifeline with the 44th and 52nd minute goals.