Looking settled by half-time, Wexford vs Laois took a complete turn in the second-half of their Leinster football championship opener.
As far back as 10 points at one stage, John Sugrue's Laois rallied tremendously; driving the tie to a 20-minute period of extra-time.
Compounding the first-half problems for Laois, their three first-half scores had all come from frees.
Christ almighty, what a second half from the Laois Footballers but lads, this match is not for the faint hearted AT ALL! 😂
— Sarah Jane Allen (@SarahJaneVlogs) May 12, 2018
I was very critical in the first half but some turnaround.
Wexford very poor; it's there for Laois if they keep the speed up.
Early, quick and often into the 2 Kingstons!!!— Shane Ó Meachair (@someachair) May 12, 2018
Laois always good for a comeback
— James Dunne (@KingJamesDunne) May 12, 2018
However, the undoubted talking-point of this one will be the scenario surrounding injury-time at the end of normal time.
Awarded a penalty with the sides level, Wexford's Donal Shanley elected to take his point.
With the game looking all but over, it appeared Wexford had done just enough to break Laois hearts and quell the comeback at the death.
Yet, with all the urgency one would expect in such dire straits, Laois rallied. Breaking quickly up the pitch in Innovate Wexford Park, Kieran Lillis scored a 74th minute equaliser for Sugrue's men.
Incredible finish in Wexford. The home side get a pen deep into injury time with the sides level. It’s tapped over. Laois then go up the field to level it again. Extra-time coming up. #GAA
— David Sheehan (@DavidSSport) May 12, 2018
Fair ballsy outa Laois no matter what happens now 💙💙💙
— Seamus Dowling (@SeamusDowling90) May 12, 2018
Come on Laois!
— john keegan (@johnkeegan19) May 12, 2018
Some turnaround in this game. Wexford chipped over a penalty in injury time of normal time before Laois leveled. Goes to show, you have to go for the jugular always!! https://t.co/YvMRUUT5pU
— Derrick Lynch (@DLynchSport) May 12, 2018
Some second half performance from Laois, 10 points down at half time and they kick 1-12 to level it up, fair gutsy stuff #GAA
— Tomás (@tomaswalsh96) May 12, 2018
From there, Laois didn't let up on their second-half form. By the mid-way point in extra-time, Wexford had a deficit of 5 points to make up.
At one stage 10 points behind, Laois were now 5 ahead; an incredible 15-point turnaround.
Fifteen point turnaround in the Laois v Wexford Cship match- and that's football not hurling- remove the Dubs b some Leinster battle #GAA
— Barry O'Donnell (@bod_uherald) May 12, 2018
Laois turning the screw now in ET.. Greatest comeback in Leinster Championship history #LaoisLaoisLaois #Laois4Sam
— James Fleming (@JmF_91) May 12, 2018
In control throughout the final 20 minutes of extra-time, it was Sugrue's men who came out on top in this Wexford vs Laois clash.
In the end, Laois progressed with a 2-21 to 1-18 scoreline and will now take on Westmeath in the next round of the Leinster Championship.
