Whirlwind start sets up Laois

Laois 1-13 Armagh 0-8:Laois booked their place in the knock-out stages of the league with a convincing victory over Armagh at Portlaoise on Saturday.

Laois started like a whirlwind,Brian McDonald opened the scoring with a pointed free, followed by a great point from under-21 star Michael Tierney. A great passing movement then saw Darren Rooney set up another under-21 star Brendan Quigley for a well-taken goal after eight minutes.

Laois, aided by the breeze in that opening half, were in control but Quigley was sent off for a straight red card following an altercation involving several players before the interval.

Unless an appeal proves successful, his dismissal could cost Quigley dearly as Laois face Kildare in next week's top-of-the-table clash and meet Offaly in the Leinster under-21 final the following week.

Nonetheless, Laois went on to lead 1-8 to 0-2 at the interval.

Armagh struggled without their Crossmaglen contingent and Joe Kernan's team only managed one point from play, from Stephen McDonnell, in the opening half.

A hard-working Laois defence and some wayward shooting ensured half of Armagh's scores had come via placed balls from McDonnell and Paddy McKeever.

Substitute Martin O'Rourke kicked a fine point for the visitors but the score of the game came from Laois defender Peter O'Leary who finished a strong solo run by firing over a fine point from 50 yards.

Defeat could mean Division Three football for the Orchard County who next weekend welcome Westmeath to Crossmaglen.

LAOIS: M Nolan; P O'Leary (0-1), C Ryan, J Higgins; P McMahon, D Rooney, B McCormack; P Clancy (0-1), N Garvan; B Quigley (1-0), C Conway (0-2), D Murphy (0-1) ; B McDonald (0-3), P Lawlor, M Tierney (0-5). Subs: C Bergin for Tierney; B Sheehan for Murphy; P Begley for Higgins; G Ramsbottom for McDonald.

ARMAGH: C McKinney; T McClelland, E McNulty, F Moriarty; B Donaghy, K McGeeney, P McCreesh; P McGrane (0-1), K Toner; P McKeever (0-2, two frees), P Loughran, J Lavery; S McDonnell (0-3, two frees), D Marsden (0-1), C Vernon. Subs: P Duffy for P McCreesh; M O'Rourke (0-1) for P Loughran; S Forker for P McCeever.

Referee: D Hunt (Roscommon)