Laois beat Antrim to advance to Tailteann Cup final

Paddy McBride kicked five points from play for Antrim against Laois

Two goals from Brian Byrne and another from Kevin Swayne earned Laois a place in the Tailteann Cup final after a 3-12 to 1-13 win over Antrim.

The Saffrons led by 1-10 to 1-7 after 45 minutes after a strong start to the second half and a goal from Paddy McAleer.

After going 19 minutes without a score, Laois found another gear.

When a shot dropped short, Kevin Swayne reacted quickest and fisted the ball into the net for Laois' second goal in the 54th minute.

It changed the momentum and Antrim ran out of ideas, with Laois sending over scores by goalkeeper Killian Roche and Evan O'Carroll.

O'Carroll picked up a black card for tripping Marc Jordan, which left Laois down to 14 players in the closing stages, but they still hit a goal from Byrne on the break two minutes from the end of normal time.

Laois will play either Sligo or Down in the Tailteann Cup final in Croke Park on July 13.

Brian Byrne celebrates after scoring a crucial goal for Laois in Croke Park

The victory was atonement for Laois, who conceded eight goals against Down in the semi-final of this competition last year.

They came to Croke Park determined to prove a point, but they were slow to settle.

Antrim had the wind in the first half and led for most of it, with Paddy McBride their chief marksman with three of his five points from play coming in the opening period.

It was scrappy stuff with Laois hitting seven wides to Antrim’s two and both sides making unforced errors.

Antrim led 0-7 to 0-5 after 25 minutes but crucially did not score for the remainder of the first half as Laois hit 1-2 without reply.

The excellent Mark Barry landed his third point of the first half before Byrne nailed his first goal. It looked as though the attack was breaking down but Eoin Lowry's pass inside found Byrne steaming through the middle and he finished well to put Laois in front for the first time in the game.

Despite forcing a number of shots, Laois led 1-7 to 0-7 at the break.

Paddy McBride hit 0-5 from play for Antrim

Antrim lost narrowly to Meath in last year's semi-finals, and looked to be in a good position when they hit 1-3 without reply in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

Colm McLarnon and Dominic McEnhill tagged on further points and when Eoin Lowry hit the crossbar at one end, Antrim broke straight down the pitch with Paddy McAleer's low finish putting them 1-10 to 1-7 ahead.

There was a touch of luck about Laois' second goal, which was a momentum changer. Paul Kingston's attempt at a point dropped short and Swayne boxed the mis-hit into the net.

The goal saw Laois regain the lead and they were able to keep Antrim's at arm's length after that.

As the game opened up, it suited Laois who moved the ball quickly and had the shooters to finish off some well-worked moves.

Antrim battled hard and didn't give up the fight but Byrne's second goal late on was the killer blow which ensured Laois progress to the Tailteann Cup final.