Antrim 2-15
Laois 1-16

Antrim pulled off a massive shock in the first round of the All-Ireland SF qualifiers when coming from nine points down to send Laois packing in O'Moore Park.

Dermot McAleese's goal on the stroke of full-time completed a remarkable comeback by Frank Fitzsimons' charges and heaped further misery on a Laois team that was still licking its wounds following last weekend's Leinster SFC replay defeat to Kildare.

There didn't appear to be any sign of a Laois hangover from that loss when Paul Kingston's goal parachuted Tomas O Flatharta's side into a nine point lead early on while Antrim came out for the second-half seven points in arrears - 0-5 to 1-9.

For the second week running, however, Laois captain Ross Munnelly had a penalty attempt saved and that miss came back to haunt the O'Moore County at the final whistle.

A Ryan Murray goal initiated the Antrim comeback and their perseverance was rewarded in a drama-packed final few minutes.

Donie Kingston did his best to keep the Ulster visitors at bay but Laois were caught on the line when McAleese pounced for what proved to be the match-winning goal.

The remarkable win was achieved without the services of the McGourty brothers, CJ and Kieran, and Conor Burke who were dropped from the Antrim starting 15 because they lined out for St Gall's in a club hurling game last night.

Afterwards, manager Fitzsimons confirmed that they will be welcomed back into the fold for the second round of the qualifiers.

In the meantime, all eyes will be on Monday morning's draw to see who they are paired with in the next round.

Antrim - C Kerr (0-1f); N Delargy, J Crozier, D Lynch; P McAleer, J Laverty, T Scullion; O Gallagher (0-1), B Hasson (0-1); M Armstrong, C Murray, M Sweeney; R Murray (1-5), M Pollock (0-5, 4f), P McBride (0-2). Subs: D McAleese (1-0) for P McAleer, J Dowling for M Armstrong, R McGrady for O Gallagher.

Laois - G Brody; S Attride, M Timmons, D O'Connor; D Strong (0-2), G Hanrahan, C Begley; B Quigley, J O'Loughlin (0-1); N Donoher (0-1), R Munnelly (0-4, 2f), C Boyle; E O'Carroll (0-1), D Kingston (0-7, 1f), P Kingston (1-0). Subs: R Kehoe for S Attride, B Sheehan for E O'Carroll, C Meredith for R Munnelly, J Finn for P Kingston.

Referee - D O'Mahoney.

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