Laois footballers were relegated yesterday when they failed miserably to match a determined Clare side in a one-sided game at Portlaoise. At no time did the home side look like causing an upset. Clare played much better football and after a blistering opening quarter they led 1-3 to 0-1, their goal an excellent effort by midfielder Denis Russell. Laois did improve in the second quarter and at half-time only a goal separated the sides, with Clare leading 1-4 to 0-4 - and Laois had had a penalty saved by excellent Clare goalkeeper James Hanrahan. The new half was only minutes old when Ger Keane crashed home a second Clare goal. This killed off the Laois challenge and late in the game a player from either side was sent to the line in two separate incidents.

CLARE: J Hanrahan; A Malone, N Hawes, J Enright; B Keating, B Rouine, C Nagle; D Russell (1-1), D O'Sullivan; J Daly (0-1), P McMahon (0- 1), D O'Driscoll (0-1); G Keane (1-1), C Considine (0-2), M Daly (0-2).

LAOIS: F Byron; B O'Reilly, D Rooney, G Doyle (0-1); M Lalor (0-1), T Maher, M Slevin; D Sweeney (0-1), L Keenan; G Lawlor, C Conway (0-1), G Ramsbottom (0-1); I Fitzgerald (0-2), M Rooney, D Delaney (0-2). Sub: J Kealy for T Maher.

Referee: N Barrett, Cork.