Down 3-12 Laois 1-15
Down’s superior goal threat helped them earn promotion back to Division One of the Allianz Football League with a victory which was more comfortable than the scoreline even suggests.
Conor Laverty and Paul’s Devlin’s first-half goals helped Down into a 2-7 to 0-8 lead at half time in Pairc Esler, before substitute Arthur McConville netted a third goal in the 53rd minute.
Ross Munnelly converted a late penalty for Laois, while Evan O’Carroll gave an exhibition of scoring from placed balls, nailing five long-range frees and two ‘45’s for the visitors.
Down manager Jim McCorry said it was “heartening” for Down to make a return to top-flight football after a two-year absence while Tomas O Flaharta was satisfied that after an inconsistent run of results, Laois managed to maintain Division Two status.
Laois led by 0-3 to 0-1 after 11 minutes but Down responded with an unanswered 1-2 inside three minutes.
Caolan Mooney’s hand-pass took out two defenders and Conor Laverty dummied the goalkeeper before tapping the ball into an empty net after 12 minutes.
Laois responded, hitting four points in a row in a six-minute spell.
Darren Strong’s excellent long-range point was followed by frees from Munnelly and O’Carroll before midfielder John O’Loughlin popped up with a score to put them back in front at 0-8 to 1-4 after 26 minutes.
Down moved the ball very well and one of their best interchanges led to goal number two in the 32nd minute.
Paul Devlin exchanged passes with Donal O’Hare and Mark Poland before palming the ball into the net for an easy finish.
The intensity went out of the game in the second half but Laois hung in, largely through the accuracy of O’Carroll and Munnelly.
McConville bagged his team’s third goal after 53 minutes reacting to Kevin McKernan’s initial shot which was parried by Laois goalkeeper Graham Brody.
The home side, perhaps feeling they had done enough to ensure victory and promotion, only scored two more points in the final quarter while Laois hit 1-3 in the same period, Munnelly converting his last minute penalty after Brendan Quigley was fouled by Conall McGovern.
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, 2f); C Maginn (0-2), K McKernan, M Poland (0-1); C Laverty (1-1), C Mooney (0-2), D O'Hare (0-1, f)
Subs: A McConville (1-0) for P Turley (45), N Madine for Maginn (57), R Johnston for Mooney (60), A Carr for McKernan (63), P Fitzpatrick for O’Hare (67)
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, pen, 2f), B Sheehan, T Shiel
Subs: J Finn for Shiel (48), P Begley for Boyle (55), P Kingston for Sheehan (61), C Kelly for O’Carroll (70)
REFEREE: Rory Hickey (Clare)
