Mixed luck for Midland teams in first round of Leinster Championship round robin series.
Laois senior hurlers were very unlucky to be beaten by a single point in a thriller with Antrim. There were 47 scores in the 70 mins including 8 goals with both teams playing some fantastic hurling. Laois were leading by a single point in the closing stages when Antrim were awarded a penalty. Ciaran Clarke, who ended up scoring 2-7, crashed the hurling ball to the Laois net for a memorable win for Antrim. Westmeath, on the other hand had a very good win against Carlow in a game that ebbed and flowed up until Westmeath went 2 points clear in the final few minutes. The teams had been level at half time but Westmeath were helped by the accuracy of Niall O’Brian, who scored 5 great points from play and 2 frees when he struck the hurling ball with great accuracy.
Both Laois and Westmeath supporters will be eagerly awaiting the next games and if Westmeath beat Antrim in Mullingar they will be on their way to the Leinster Championship proper. Laois must beat Carlow to have any chance of progressing.
