The underage promise shown by Tipperary in recent years is beginning to bear fruit at senior level.

The Premier County got over the disappointment of their narrow Munster SFC semi-final defeat against Cork by dishing out a 2-17 to 0-6 hammering to visitors Longford in round 2A.

The emphatic nature of their victory over the midlands took manager Peter Creedon by surprise: "It's a surprising result really because genuinely we thought it would be a point or two either way and going to the wire. It was a very comfortable win in the end."

Laois, on the other hand, left it late to see off Wexford last weekend and relied on three unanswered points to give them a dramatic 0-18 to 0-17 win over their hosts.

The likes of John O'Loughlin, Ross Munnelly and Donie Kingston will be crucial to Tomas O Flatharta's side's chances of progressing while Conor Sweeney and Barry Grogan will pose significant scoring threats for the visitors.

Don't be surprised if a second outing is required to decide who books their place in the next round.

Verdict - Tipperary.

Laois team: Graham Brody; Padraig McMahon, Paul Begley, Peter O'Leary; Darren Strong, Robbie Kehoe, Colm Begley; Kevin Meaney, John O'Loughlin; Conor Meredith, Billy Sheehan, Niall Donoher; Ross Munnelly, Donal Kingston, Damien O'Connor.

Tipperary team: Paul Fitzgerald; Ger Mulhair, Paddy Codd, Ciarán McDonald; Colin O'Riordan, Robbie Kiely, John Coghlan; Steven O'Brien, George Hannigan; Philip Austin, Peter Acheson, Brian Fox; Conor Sweeney, Michael Quinlivan, Barry Grogan.

Match details: Saturday, Portlaoise, 4.45pm, extra-time playable.

Referee: David Gough.

Odds: Laois 4/6, Draw 15/2, Tipperary 6/4. Tweet

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