Laois leap into final

April 22, 2007
A power-packed second half display proved pivotal as Laois booked their place in this year's Cadbury's All-Ireland Under 21 FC final after recording a 0-11 to 0-6 win over Mayo at Dr. Hyde Park. Laois did the business despite missing a second half penalty but Mayo weren't able to capitalise on their opponents' ill-luck. Mayo tried manfully to get on top but their cause received a major blow when wing-back Colm Boyle was sent off early in the second period for a second yellow card offence. Laois controlled a lot of sectors but in particular the midfield and half-back line and when Boyle's team-mate Barry Moran was stretchered off just moments after Boyle's departure, Laois's dominance became all the more pronounced. In a fractious encounter, seven yellow cards were issued by Tyrone referee Sludden in the first half as Mayo went in at the break trailing by 0-4 to 0-5. Mayo actually drew level within seconds of the resumption but Laois upped the ante and despite the penalty miss were able to canter home past the winning post with points from man of the match MJ Tierney, Cathal Green, Niall Donoher and sub. Donie Kingston. LAOIS - C Munnelly; C Healy, M Timmons, B Meredith; S Lalor, J O'Loughlin, N Donoher 0-1; B Quigley, C Óg Greene 0-1; D Brennan, C Rogers 0-1, S O'Leary; MJ Tierney 0-5, S O'Neill, D Conway 0-2. Subs: D Kingston 0-1 for Conway (39); I Fleming for O'Leary (53). MAYO - M McNulty; A Joyce, G Cafferkey, D Kilcullen; C Barrett, T Cunniffe, C Boyle; B Moran, T Parsons 0-2; A Campbell, P Hanley 0-1, A McManamon; E Varley 0-1, A Hanley, M Ronaldson 0-2. Subs: J Burke for McManamon (37); S O'Shea for Moran (37); B Benson for Varley (53); P O'Connor for Hanley (61). REF - M Sludden (Tyrone).

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