Limerick and Wicklow advance to Tailteann Cup quarter-finals as Laois pip Offaly at the death

There was late drama in Newbridge as Mark Barry’s penalty at the death gave Laois a 3-18 to 3-16 victory over Offaly in the third round of the Tailteann Cup.

Having netted two first-half goals through Damon Larkin, the O’Moore men still trailed at the half after Cillian Bourke’s goal sent Offaly in with a 1-10 to 2-6 advantage.

The Division 3 champions goaled twice more after the change of ends via Jordan Hayes and Ruairi McNamee to seemingly get over the line, but Justin McNulty’s side fought back to within two points and won a penalty in the dying stages which Barry nervelessly converted for the win.

In Wexford Park, Wicklow came from behind to record a 3-29 to 0-21 win against Waterford.

With Jason Curry (0-15) in fine shooting for, the Deise men looked to tear up the script with a scorching start that saw them going on to hold a 0-16 to 0-8 lead before Eoin D’Arcy hit their net on the eve of half-time.

Oisin McConville’s men eventually moved in front by the 50th minute and added more goals from Joe Prendergast and Dean Healy to win out comfortably in the end to leave them as group winners ahead of Laois and Offaly.

Earlier in the day, Limerick booked their own place in the quarter-finals by stunning Westmeath with a 0-19 to 0-18 win in Portlaoise.

The Treaty men led by 0-10 to 0-8 at the halfway stage and went four points up prior to Dermot McCabe’s side battling back and hitting the front through Luke Loughlin’s two-pointer with eight minutes to go.

Limerick held their nerve after that and levelled through Rob Childs before points from Josh Ryan and Emmett Rigter down the home stretch got them over the line.

Tomorrow afternoon sees five games down for decision in the second tier, with draws for the preliminary quarter-finals set to take place later in the day at 6.15pm.