2025 Joe McDonagh Cup Hurling – Laois 5-28 Kerry 1-21

Laois defeated Kerry by 5-28 to 1-21 in Round 3 of the Joe McDonagh Cup on Sunday May 11th at Laois Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.

Laois and deadly James Duggan devastate Kerry

Report By Jamie Dowling in Laois Hire O’Moore Park for RTÉ Sport

Laois have made it three wins from three in the McDonagh Cup as they recorded an impressive 5-28 to 1-21 victory against Kerry at Laois Hire O’Moore Park.

James Duggan was the star of the show as he netted five goals in the opening half and tormented the Kerry defence all through the match.

Duggan is the first Laois man to score five goals in a row since Billy Delaney in 1939.

The win puts Tommy Fitzgearld’s charges in prime position to progress to the final but they face big tests against Kildare and Carlow in the coming weeks.

David Dooley opened the scoring with a fine point to give Laois the early lead. The first goal came soon after when a long ball from Ryan Mullaney fell short, but Duggan got a brilliant flick to find the back of the net.

Kerry responded well to the bad start and scored the next four points through Kevin Goulding and Shane Nolan, the latter shining with three in a row.

Laois then hit a purple patch and upped gears and blew Kerry away in the next 15 minutes.

Tomas Keyes landed a free, with Duggan getting his first point of the day.

Laois were totally dominating now and hit the next seven points, with Fiachra Fennell, Keyes, Dooley and Duggan all pointing.

It was game over soon after as Duggan scored his second goal of the game by finding the net with his boot.

He soon netted his hat-trick inside 23 minutes and the contest was all over.

Kerry did respond again with two points through Luke Crowley and Daniel Casey, but the half belonged to Duggan, who bagged another two goals and was in ruthless form.

Keyes and Dooley pointed for Laois before the half-time whistle, but it was Nolan getting the last score of the half as Laois led 5-12 to 0-9.

Kerry needed a fast start and got the first point through Nolan but again Laois took full control, hitting four in a row through Keyes (two), Dooley and Aaron Dunphy all adding points.

The away side scored two in a row through Nolan and Oisin Maunsell, but the game was over.

Sub Mark Dowling got in on the scoring act and traded points with Nolan. Padraig Delaney landed a massive free for Laois.

Kerry were battling hard and got two more points from Nolan and Rory Mahony. But Laois were at their ease.

They then hit five points in a row from Aaron Dunphy (three), Fennell and Willie Dunphy scoring.

Kerry again scored two more points but the intensity in the game was gone.

Aaron Dunphy grabbed another and traded scores with Maunsell before Laois again responded with two points through the excellent Mullaney.

To their credit Kerry finished the game strong at hit two more points through Nolan and Tom Doyle.

The last point from Laois came from Paddy Purcell before Kerry struck for goal from Doyle before the final whistle as Laois ran out comprehensive winners

Laois: Cathal Dunne; Padraic Dunne, Diarmaid Conway, Cody Comerford; Tom Cuddy, Padraig Delaney (0-01free), Ryan Mullaney (0-01); Fiachra Fennell (0-03), David Dooley(0-04); Aidan Corby, Tomas Keyes (0-06 all frees), Paddy Purcell (0-01); James Duggan (5-02), Jer Quinlan, Ben Conroy.
Subs: Aaron Dunphy (0-07) for Quinlan (HT), Donnacha Hartnett for Cuddy (HT), John Lennon for Dooley (43), Mark Dowling (0-01) for Conroy (23). Willie Dunphy (0-01) for Keyes (57)

Kerry: Louis Dee; Kyle O’Connor, Flor McCarthy, Dara Kearney; Darragh Shanahan (0-01), Kevin Goulding (0-01), Ronan Walsh; Paudie O’Connor, Adam Segal; Tom Doyle (1-01), Daniel Casey, Luke Crowley (0-01); Rory Mahony (0-01), Oisin Maunsell (0-01), Shane Nolan (0-11, 0-05frees)
Subs: Eric Leen for McCarthy (HT), Sean McGrath for Segal (HT), Killian Hayes for Crowley (HT), Seamie Foran for Mahony (53) and Luke Rochford for O’Connor (65)

Referee: Brian Keon (Galway)

Team News

Team Announcement: Kerry vs Laois – Joe McDonagh Cup Round 3

Full team news here: https://t.co/gcdxgHdaP4#WeAreKerry #CiarraíAbú pic.twitter.com/7gfLAU6jEU

— Kerry GAA (@Kerry_Official) May 8, 2025