Laois 1-15 Carlow 1-12
Laois have been promoted and may have a Division Three final to look forward to after a hard-earned win over Carlow in O’Moore Park.
A first-half goal from Donie Kingston proved crucial, while Evan O’Carroll chipped in with eight points as Laois held on for a three-point win and Carlow were relegated to Division Four.
Carlow got off to a dream start as corner-back Conor Lawlor came up to field to palm to the net after just five minutes. But Laois recovered well with a Kingston goal a couple of minutes later after a high ball in from Paul Cahillane.
With O'Carroll, Kieran Lillis, Eoin Lowry and Stephen Attride all on target, Laois led 1-8 to 1-5 at the break. Paul Broderick, Darragh Foley and Jordan Morrissey all pointed for Carlow in that opening half.
Laois pushed five points clear at one stage in the second half and despite a strong Carlow effort the home side held on.
Laois: G Brody; M Timmons, D Booth, S Attride (0-1); G Dillon, R Pigott, T Collins; K Meaney, K Lillis (0-1); E Lowry (0-1), C Boyle (0-1), Marty Scully; E O'Carroll (0-8, 0-6f), P Cahillane (0-2, 0-2f), D Kingston (1-0). Subs: B Quigley for Meaney (28 mins), R Munnelly (0-1) for Lowry (58), S O'Flynn for Booth (60), C Murphy for Kingston (68), P O'Sullivan for O'Carroll (73)
Carlow: R Sansom; C Crowley, S Redmond, C Lawlor (1-0); B Kavanagh, E Ruth (0-1), C Moran; B Murphy, S Murphy; J Morrissey (0-1), S Gannon, D O'Brien; P Broderick (0-6, 0-5f), D Foley (0-3, 0-2f), D St Ledger. Subs: C Crowley (0-1) for O'Brien (46 mins), J Murphy for Moran and S Clarke for Kavanagh (60)
Referee: M McNally (Monaghan)
