The Waterford minor footballers lost to Laois by 3-11 to 2-8 in the All Ireland Tier 3 Quarter Final last night in Carlow.
Paul Power's side recovered an eight point deficit as Ciarán Cotter and Tom Lynch found the net in the second half. The Déise couldn't get their noses in front however as the O'Moore men advanced to the last four.
Laois led 1-5 to 0-0 after 16 minutes as Conor O'Callaghan raised a green flag. Joe Brennan opened Waterford's account from a free. The young Tramore man converted three off his left boot while Paddy McCarthy nailed one off his right. David Nyhan nearly lobbed Laois goalkeeper Liam Conroy in injury time but the number one tipped the ball over the bar. Four points from the impressive Ultan Dunne saw the Leinster side lead 1-8 to 0-5 at the break.
Two minutes into the second half, Déise joint captain Ciarán Cotter planted the ball in the top corner of the net. Full back Daniel O'Callaghan kept Laois at bay with a couple of crucial interceptions. On 39 minutes, Waterford levelled the match when a run from Alex Gillane sent Paddy McCarthy through on goal. He passed the ball across to Tom Lynch who fisted home (2-5 to 1-8).
Darren Brennan and Cotter swapped points. All square heading into the final quarter. On 46 minutes, a slick Laois passing move finished with Calum McElroy lashing the ball to the roof of the Waterford net. A late goal from Sean Michael Ward sealed the win.
The Déise fought to the final whistle as McCarthy put over two injury time frees. A positive campaign saw Paul Power's charges collect two championship wins.
