Laois will play Division 1B hurling again next year after eking out a 1-16 to 0-17 win over Antrim in bitterly-cold Dunloy.

Midfielder Paddy Purcell registered the all-important goal, while goalkeeper Enda Rowland also made a vital contribution when saving a Neil McManus penalty.

The hosts led by three points to one early on, with McManus and Michael Armstrong prominent, but Ross King, Cha Dwyer, Ben Conroy, Purcell and Willie Dunphy pointed for the winners to make it level scores before Purcell netted the game's only goal - 1-6 to 0-6.

The winners led by 1-9 to 0-7 at the break but the northerners hit the front thanks to scores from Conor Johnston, James McNaughton, Paddy Burke and Eoghan Campbell. However, King reeled off a series of scores as the O'Moore County claimed a fourth successive relegation play-off success. Antrim are unluckily relegated.

These two teams are due to meet again in the first round of the championship in May.

Laois - E Rowland; J Phelan, L Bergin, L Cleere; J Ryan (0-1), M Whelan, P Lawlor; P Purcell (1-1), B Conroy (0-1); W Dunphy, C Dwyer (0-1), PJ Scully; R King (0-12, 9f), N Foyle, S Bergin. Subs: M Kavanagh for PJ Scully, C Comerford for L Bergin, A Corby for N Foyle, C Phelan for S Bergin.

Antrim - R Elliott; A Graffin, J Dillon, R McCambridge; J Maskey, C McKinley, P Burke (0-1); E Campbell (0-1), G Walsh; C Johnston (0-2), N McManus (0-10, 5f, 2'65, 1pen), M Armstrong (0-1); D McKinley, C McCann, N Elliott (0-1). Subs: J McNaughton (0-1) for G Walsh, S McCrory for C McCann, C Clarke for D McKinley.

Referee - P Murphy.

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