Leitrim fell to a heavy defeat this afternoon in Ballinamore following an early Laois onslaught.
Laois landed three goals in the opening eight minutes as they dominated throughout in Ballinamore.
Ronan Coffey opened the scoring for Laois with a point from play inside the opening 60 seconds. In the following seven minutes Kevin Swayne, Pa Kirwin and Benny Carroll all found the back of the Leitrim net.
The O’Moore County were in firm control following the early goals. Leitrim struggling to win ball around the middle of the park.
The hosts were further behind following three Mark Barry points, accompanied by Damon Larkin and James Kelly points.
Laois were 16 points ahead after 20 minutes. James Kelly and Niall Corbett added another two points from play before a delay due to a Jordan Reynolds knee injury.
However, it was the opposite the injury in Reynolds that hampered Reynolds in 2024.
Tom Prior opened Leitrim’s scoring 27 minutes. At this stage in proceedings Laois were leading by 17 points. James Kelly, Niall Corbett and Mark Barry all added further points for Laois.
Just on the stroke of half-time Tom Prior added another for Leitrim. However, when the half-time whistle followed, Laois led 3–12 to 0–2.
The second-half begun in somewhat more settled fashion as spectators in Ballinamore had to endure 10 minutes play without any flag been raised. Jonah Kelly scored a point from play for the visitors.
Keith Beirne got on the scoresheet for Leitrim with a point from play as the second-half was beginning to show some sign of life. While Leitrim had steadily shown improvement, any route back into the game seemed impossible.
Games Opening Two Pointer
Pa Kirwin scored the first two pointer of the afternoon on 50 minutes just before Laois full-back Simon Fingleton made a run up the pitch to score a point. Keith Keegan raised the white flag for Leitrim before Conor Brown immediately replied in kind.
Laois now begun to empty their bench kept the scoreboard ticking with two points from Niall Corbett and Damon Larkin.
For the first time in the contest Leitrim scored two on the bounce through Darren Cox in what was the final scores of the afternoon.
In the three minutes of additional time, Leitrim could only muster two wide’s to bring to an end what was a disappointing afternoon.
With 12 wide’s kicked and four injuries amassed it was a difficult day for Stephen Poacher in what was his second day out as Leitrim manager.
Laois winning out 3-20 to six points.
