Clare 2-22 Laois 2-13:LAOIS POSTED three points by the fifth minute and looked good to get their first brace of points but Clare levelled in the eight minute when Seán Collins hammered home a goal and they hit five points, two by John Conlon, before Willie Hyland broke that run. The visitors shot the next three before Laois's Neil Foyle goaled but Clare led 1-11 to 1-6 at the break.
Within three minutes of the restart Clare hit a goal through John Conlon and although Hyland landed a goal it was too late.
CLARE: P Kelly; E Glynn, C Dillon, C Cooney; B Bugler, J McInerney (0-2), E Barrett; N O’Connell (0-1), P Donnellan (0-4); J Conlon (1-3), S Collins (0-1), F Lynch; C Morey (0-1), J Clancy (0-2), C Ryan (0-5); Subs: D Keane (0-3) for F Lynch (45 mins), P Kelly (Clarecastle) for E Barrett (55 mins), L Markham for C Morey (55 mins).
LAOIS: E Reilly; P Mullaney, D Maher, B Stapleton; C Dunne, J Fitzpatrick, M Whelan (0-1); J Walsh (0-1), B Dunne; W Dunphy, M McEvoy (0-1), W Hyland (1-6); J Brophy (0-1), N Foyle (1-1), S Maher (0-1). Subs: D Peacock for J Brophy (56 mins), Chris Murray (0-1) for N Foyle (62 mins).
Referee: Eamon Hassan (Derry).
