NFL DIVISION TWO Laois 1-12 Antrim 0-10:COACH JUSTIN McNulty chalked up his second success in the league despite coming under severe pressure in the second half when Laois were reduced to 14 players.
Antrim arrived for the first meeting between the sides in almost 30 years after a defeat to Kildare at home. Laois were fancied after an impressive performance against Meath in the opening round but despite playing with wind assistance struggled to cope with an impressive Saffron side.
John O’Loughlin put Laois in front but two in a row by Kevin Brady saw the visitors briefly in front until Darren Strong equalised from play after eight minutes.
Laois went two points in front but the sides were locked on four points apiece after 25 minutes before Laois were rewarded when after a great passing move, Michael John Tierney rose highest to fist a Darren Strong cross to the net and a point by Niall Donoher saw Laois lead 1-7 to 0-5 at the break.
Antrim dominated the second half but were guilty of dreadful shooting and although Laois failed to score until the 28th minute, Antrim never managed to draw level despite Brendan Quigley getting a straight red card five minutes after the restart.
Laois put in a storming last 10 minutes, outscoring the visitors five to one, and now travel to Derry on Sunday next.
LAOIS: E Culleton; R Kehoe, K Meaney, D Booth; D Strong (0-3), S Julian, C Boyle; B Quigley (0-1), M Timmons; C Begley, J O'Loughlin (0-1), N Donoher (0-2); R Munnelly (0-1), B Sheehan, MJ Tierney (1-2). Subs: G Kavanagh (0-1) for Sheehan, P Cahillane (0-1) for Munnelly.
ANTRIM: C Kerr; A Healy (0-1), A McClean, K O'Boyle (0-1); T Scullion, J Crozier, C Murray (0-1); B Herron, S Burke; M Sweeney (0-1), K McGourty, T ONeill; P Cunningham (0-4), K Brady (0-2), K Niblock. Subs: A Douglas for McClean, A Gallagher for Murray, E McNeill for Herron.
Referee: M Condon(Waterford).
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