Laois 2-17
Roscommon 0-16

Laois responded to Padraig McMahon's withdrawal from the squad by silencing Roscommon's big travelling support with a first win of the Division 2 campaign at O'Moore Park.

O'Moore County boss Tomas O Flatharta confirmed afterwards that the experienced Ballyroan defender had left the panel, but it only served to galvanise his players who produced an excellent display to move off the bottom of the table on scoring difference after defeats to Westmeath and Cavan.

Niall Donoher and impressive substitute Paul Kingston hit second half goals for the home side who had led by 0-9 to 0-7 at the break. Donie Kingston kicked six points in a man of the match display, while Cathal Cregg's five second half points from play failed to prevent Roscommon's first defeat of the campaign.

The hosts signalled their intent by racing into an early 0-4 to 0-0 lead thanks to scores from Ross Munnelly, Conor Boyle and Donoher. Ciaran Murtagh finally opened Roscommon's account after they had registered four wides. Murtagh added a second before a Donie Shine free left the minimum in it, 0-3 to 0-4.

Donie Kingston was on target for Laois before Diarmuid Murtagh brought John Evans' men level for the first time. Enda Smith and Shine were also on target for the Rossies, but two points each from U21 star Evan O'Carroll (one '45') and Donie Kingston had Laois two clear at the short whistle.

Roscommon resumed with three unanswered points from Cregg (two) and Shine to move into a 0-10 to 0-9 lead. But when Kingston set up Donoher for a brilliant 50th minute goal, the game took a decisive turn in the O'Moore County's favour.

Donie and Paul Kingston traded scores with Cregg and Ultan Harney to leave it 1-14 to 0-14 entering the closing stages. But with four minutes to go, U21 Paul settled it with Laois' second goal to send their small band of supporters home happy.

Laois - G Brody; G Hanrahan, P Begley, M Timmons; D Strong (0-1), C Begley, R Kehoe; B Quigley, J O'Loughlin; N Donoher (1-1), C Boyle (0-1), E O'Carroll (0-2, 1'45); R Munnelly (0-4, 2f), D Kingston (0-6, 3f), G Dillon. Subs: B Sheehan for G Dillon, P Kingston (1-2) for C Boyle, D O'Connor for N Donoher, S Attride for E O'Carroll.

Roscommon - D O'Malley; N Carty, N Collins, S McDermott; D Keenan, N Daly (0-1), C Cafferkey; I Kilbride, D Shine (0-3, 2f, 1'45); M Nally, E Smith (0-1), C Cregg (0-5); D Murtagh (0-2f), S Kilbride, C Murtagh (0-2). Subs: C Shine for M Nally, M Healy for I Kilbride, U Harney (0-2) for E Smith, D Murray for C Cafferkey, B Murtagh for D Keenan, C Compton for C Murtagh.

Referee - J Henry.

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