Thirty minutes of extra-time failed to separate these teams in Tullamore yesterday, when a late point by substitute Gary Moore enabled the Laois side to live to fight another day.
In a game in which the exchanges were never less than full-blooded, St Rynagh's recovered after conceding a third-minute goal from Martin Phelan to dominate the remainder of the first half.
Two goals within a minute by Ronan Devery laid the foundations of a 2-7 to 1-3 interval lead for the Banagher side, who had enjoyed first-half wind advantage.
The Laois lads produced a fighting comeback and injury-time points from Tom Drennan and Mark Phelan left the sides deadlocked at 3-9 to 2-12 at the end of the hour.
Amid rising excitement, Banagher gained the lead through a fourth goal by Kevin Kelly, before Moore's point for St Fergal's levelled the match.
ST RYNAGH'S CC: C Kenny; D Dervan, E Mannion, A Horan; R Hynes, N Corcoran (0-1), M Pardy; G Gardiner (1-1), C Claffey; R Devery (2-0), T Bennett (0-1), D Dunne (0-1); P Cashin, K Kelly (1-7), E Corcoran. Subs: M Egan for Corcoran; M Dunne for Cashin; A Connolly (0-1) for M Dunne.
ST FERGAL'S COLLEGE: B Campion; J Moynan, A Delaney, P Doyle; C Jones (0-1), M McEvoy, N Doherty (0-1); J Dowling, P Grey (0-3); J Kavanagh, E Houlihan, F Deegan; P Russell (0-2), M Phelan (2-5), J Delaney (0-1). Subs: D Drennan (0-1) for Kavanagh; L Moylan for Houlihan; G Moore (1-1) for Moylan.
Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath).
