Laois will have top-flight hurling to look forward to again next year after a comfortable victory over Christy Ring Cup champions Carlow at Dr Cullen Park. Laois...4-18 Carlow.3-11 A dominant second quarter display was the key to the O'Moore County's triumph which preserves their Liam McCarthy Cup status for 2009. Willie Hyland top-scored for the winners with 1-5, with his 14th minute goal proving the game's turning point after Carlow had made a promising start. Jim Greene's men, who came into this promotion/relegation play-off on a real high after defeating Westmeath in the Christy Ring Cup decider last Sunday, led by 1-1 to 0-1 after five minutes thanks to a Mark Brennan goal. But Hyland's major settled Laois and further goals from Dayne Peacock and Tommy Fitzgerald helped them to a 3-11 to 1-5 interval lead. The home side resumed with a 39th minute goal from Craig Doyle, but Laois responded with two Peacock frees to lead by 3-13 to 2-6. Shane Kavanagh's excellence from long-range frees kept Carlow in touch, but a fourth Laois goal from Niall Holmes left them with too much to do, and not even a late consolation strike from veteran Des Murphy could rescue the Ring Cup winners. Scorers - Laois: W Hyland 1-5 (1f), D Peacock , T Fitzgerald 1-2 each, N Holmes 1-1, J Brophy 0-3 (1f), J Walsh, J Phelan 0-2 each, C Delaney 0-1. Carlow: C Doyle 1-2, M Brennan 1-1, C Hughes (2f), S Kavanagh (65, 2f) 0-3 each, D Murphy 1-0, R Foley, S Murphy 0-1 each. Laois: P Mullaney; D Maher, C Healy, B Campion; C Coonan, M McEvoy J A Delaney; J Phelan, J Walsh; C Delaney, E Holohan, W Hyland; T Fitzgerald, J Brophy, N Costello. Subs: N Costello for Delaney (49), N Holmes for Fitzgerald (55), J Rowney for Holohan (60), S Hanlon for Peacock (69). Carlow: D Miley; A Gaule, D Shaw, J Rodgers; E Coady, S Kavanagh, P Kehoe; D Roberts, A Brennan; R Dunbar, C Hughes, M Brennan; B Lawler, R Foley, C Doyle. Subs: S Murphy for Dunbar (ht), K English for Lawler (ht), J Hickey for Hughes (51), D Murphy for English (65), D Byrne for Gaule (69). Referee: D Richardson (Limerick). Tweet

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