Down have been promoted to Division One after beating Laois by 3-12 to 1-15 in a thriller at Newry.

This was the Mourne County's second stab at securing a place in the Division Two decider: they slipped up against Meath last weekend but goals from Conor Laverty, Paul Devlin and Arthur McConville today ensured that Jim McCorry's men will be in the top flight next season.

The winners led by 2-7 to 0-8 at the break, with Laverty and Devlin providing the first-half majors, and the gap was out to eight points with 15 minutes left, 3-11 to 0-12.

The O'Moore County rallied and a last-gasp penalty from Ross Munnelly gave the hosts a slight fright, but Down held on and will face Roscommon in the Division Two final.

Laois maintain their Division Two status as the two teams below them going into the final round - Kildare and Westmeath - both lost today.

Down - S Kane; G Collins (0-1), L Howard, D Turley; D O'Hagan, B McArdle, C McGovern (0-2); P Turley, P Devlin (1-2, 0-2f); C Maginn (0-2), K McKernan, M Poland (0-1); C Laverty (1-1), C Mooney (0-2), D O'Hare (0-1f). Subs: A McConville (1-0) for P Turley, N Madine for C Maginn, R Johnston for C Mooney, A Carr for K McKernan, P Fitzpatrick for D O'Hare.

Laois - G Brody; D O'Connor, M Timmons, S Attride; D Strong (0-1), R Kehoe (0-1), C Begley; B Quigley, J O'Loughlin (0-1); N Donoher (0-1), C Boyle, E O'Carroll (0-7, 5f, 2'45); R Munnelly (1-4, 1-0pen, 0-3f), B Sheehan, T Shiel. Subs: J Finn for T Shiel, P Begley for C Boyle, P Kingston for B Sheehan, C Kelly for E O'Carroll.

Referee - R Hickey.

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