Laois 1-16
Down 2-10

A dominant first half display ensured Laois preserved their Division 2 status at O'Moore Park.

Tomas O Flatharta's men made full use of wind advantage to go into the break leading by 1-10 to 1-1, and they hung on in the second half after full back Denis Booth was sent off with 15 minutes remaining.

The home side signalled their intent by racing into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead inside the first six minutes thanks to points from David Conway, Ross Munnelly, Donie Kingston and John O'Loughlin. However, a Conor McGinn goal in the seventh minute reduced the deficit to the minimum.

The O'Moore's responded with a Kingston point before Munnelly set up O'Loughlin for a goal to give them a 1-6 to 1-0 cushion. Conway and Conor Meredith tagged on further scores as Laois threatened to run away with it.

Donal O'Hare eventually registered Down's first point, but two more from captain Munnelly left the hosts perched on a nine-point lead at half-time.

The Mournemen, who started Benny Coulter in place of Kevin McKernan, improved after the restart and were right back in it when Aidan Carr's penalty - which earned Booth a red card - made it 2-5 to 1-13.

But amid unbearable tension, Laois held on for a priceless win.

Laois - G Brody; P McMahon, D Booth, P O'Leary; D Strong (0-1'45), P Begley, C Begley; K Meaney, J O'Loughlin (1-2); J Finn, C Meredith (0-1), B Sheehan; R Munnelly (0-6, 1f), D Kingston (0-3, 1f), D Conway (0-3f). Subs: D O'Connor for B Sheehan, R Kehoe for C Meredith (BC), E O'Carroll for J Finn, MJ Tierney for D Conway.

Down - B McVeigh; D McCartan, B McArdle, O Costello; D Rooney, A Carr (1-0pen), C Garvey (0-1); P Turley, A Rogers; C Maginn (1-0), M Poland (0-1f), P Devlin; D O'Hare (0-4, 3f), N Madine (0-1), B Coulter. Subs: K McKernan for B Coulter (BC), C Laverty (0-1) for P Turley, R Boyle for D Rooney, N Donnelly for B McArdle (BC) J Johnston (0-2, 1f) for D O'Hare.

Referee - C Lane. Tweet

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