Despite playing most of the game with 14 men, Laois were defeated by 2-23 to 2-19 by Clare in an entertaining NHL quarterfinal at O'Moore Park.

Laois will certainly have taken a lot more from this match than their opponents as they displayed a hunger and desire that has not been seen by too many teams recently.

The O'Moore County were given no chance in this match and when the sides last met in the 2013 qualifiers, Clare ran out comfortable winners, but Laois have shown in 1B this year that they are playing with a renewed spirit and determination under Seamus Plunkett.

When Tom Delaney was sent off during the second quarter, it looked as if the Banner would go on to win easy, but Laois worked hard for the remainder of the game and were unlucky not to get more from the match.

Delaney's straight red card could be deemed harsh, but Laois had started well and a Neil Foyle goal helped them to a 1-01 to 0-03 lead after seven minutes.

Clare kept the scoreboard ticking over but could not shake off a dogged Laois side, but right on the stroke of half time, Shane O'Donnell scored the first of his two goals to send them in leading by 1-12 to 1-09 at the break.

In the 45th minute, O'Donnell struck for a second goal and this moved Clare into a 2-15 to 0-11 lead as they looked to be well on their way to victory.

Laois were not ready to throw in the towel though and points from Stephen Maher, Cha Dwyer and captain Matthew Whelan helped them narrow the gap.

The home side introduced Brendan Reddin and he was to have a major say in the game as in the 69th minute, the substitute rattled the net to leave just two points between the sides.

Tony Kelly and the impressive Colin Ryan, who finished the match with ten points, tagged on scores to ease the pressure on the All-Ireland champions, who were delighted to hear the final whistle.

Clare now go on to play Tipperary in the NHL semi-final, but Laois will be looking forward to the Leinster championship after a moral-boosting league campaign.

Clare: P Kelly; D McInerney, C Dillon, C Cooney; B Bugler, Conor Ryan, P O'Connor (0-01); P Donnellan, B Duggan (0-01); Colin Ryan (0-10, 8f), P Duggan, J Conlon (0-01); S O'Donnell (2-00), T Kelly (0-03), C McGrath (0-04). Subs: A Cunningham (0-02) for Donnellan (46); C McInerney (0-01) for B Duggan (52); J Browne for Dillon (57); D Reidy for Conlon (72).

Laois: E Reilly; JA Delaney, B Campion, B Stapleton (0-01); J Fitzpatrick, M Whelan (0-02, 1 65), T Delaney; P Purcell (0-03), D Palmer; J Purcell, W Hyland (0-02), S Maher (0-06, 6f); N Foyle (1-00), C Dwyer (0-01), T Fitzgerald (0-03). Subs: R King for Foyle (HT); P Whelan for J Purcell (41); B Reddin (1-01) for Dwyer (54); PJ Scully for Fitzgerald (67).

Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway) Tweet

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