NFL DIVISION TWO/Down 2-11 Laois 1-13:DOWN, ALREADY through unbeaten to the Division Two final, fielded an experimental side against Laois at Páirc Esler, Newry yesterday. Down lost talisman Benny Coulter to injured ribs after 15 minutes, Danny Hughes deputising.
Laois dominated midfield for most of the game through Brendan Quigley and Kevin Meaney and it was only in the final quarter when Ambrose Rogers was drafted in did Down manage to get to grips in this sector.
A goal from the rebound after his initial penalty had been saved by Martin Clarke helped Down into a 1-5 to 0-7 interval lead.
Laois substitute Paul Callaghan levelled on the restart before Down hit a good patch with two points from Martin Clarke frees and a goal from John Clarke. But Laois finished strongly with a goal from Donal Kingston and points from Cahir Healy and Ross Munnelly to set up a nail-biting finish.
DOWN: B McVeigh; L Lennon, B McArdle, D. McCartan; A Brannigan, J Colgan, K Duffin (0-1); P Fitzpatrick, K King; C Maginn, M Clarke (1-5, four frees) T Hanna; R Murtagh (0-1), J Clarke (1-3, one free), B Coulter. Subs: D Hughes for B Coulter (15 mins); A Carr (0-1) for T Hanna (ht); A Rogers for P Fitzpatrick (45); C Laverty for R Murtagh (54); R Sexton for C Maginn (60).
LAOIS: M Dowling; J Scully, D Booth, M Timmons; P OLeary, C Healy (0-1), C Bogle (0-1); B Quigley, K Meaney (0-1); B Sheehan, C Rogers, D Strong; P Lalor, D Kingston (1-7, five frees), N Donoher. Subs: P Callaghan (0-1) for B Sheehan (ht); R Munnelly (0-1) for P Lalor (40); C Bergin (0-1) for D Strong (53); C Greene for B Quigley (53).
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)