LAOIS WITHSTOOD A terrific second-half onslaught from Armagh to confirm their progress in the A group of qualifiers.
Mick Lillis’ men had won when the sides met a fortnight ago but having used one sub too many, had to replay the game.
They were clearly intent on making no mistake this time around and Niall Donoher had a point after 31 seconds.
The brilliant Conway added another and set up Darren Strong for a third before Armagh got their only score of the half with a 15th minute point by Micheál McKenna, whose delicate lob bounced over off the crossbar.
Conway fired an outstanding score and Paul Cahillane slotted an easy free before Conor Meredith showed good strength and composure to fire low to the Armagh net three minutes before the break to make it 1-5 to 0-1.
Armagh were a completely different proposition in the second half, showing great character as they chipped away with a couple of points before Rory Grugan fired a goal in the 45th minute.
Conor Meredith scores. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Tony Kernan blazed wide from a glorious position having been set up by Grugan four minutes later, but undeterred, they kicked on with points from Grugan, Stefan Campbell and influential substitute Colm Watters.
Laois showed their own determination though and Ross Munnelly came off the bench to score two points.
Armagh were dealt a blow with the sending off of Aaron Findon three minutes from time and points from Gary Walsh and John O’Loughlin edged the hosts home.
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Scorers for Laois: C Meredith 1-0; D Conway, R Munnelly (1f), J O’Loughlin 0-2 each; P Cahillane (f), N Donoher, D Strong, D Kingston (f), G Walsh (f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Armagh: R Grugan 1-2; S Campbell 0-4(3fs); C Watters 0-2; M McKenna, B Donaghy 0-1 each.
Laois
1 Graham Brody
2 Stephen Attride
3 Mark Timmons
17 Gearoid Hanrahan
5 Darren Strong
6 Kieran Lillis
4 Damien O’Connor
8 Brendan Quigley
20 John O’Loughlin
12 Colm Begley
11 Paul Cahillane
10 Niall Donoher
13 Conor Meredith
14 Donie Kingston
15 David Conway
Subs
19 Alan Farrell for O’Connor BC (21)
9 Kevin Meaney for Donoher (47)
25 Ross Munnelly for Conway (54)
7 Gareth Dillon for Strong (57)
24 Gary Walsh for Cahillane (64)
22 Matthew Campion for Quigley (70+3)
Laois make no mistake on the second attempt to edge past Armagh in qualifiers
Laois 1-11
Armagh 1-10
LAOIS WITHSTOOD A terrific second-half onslaught from Armagh to confirm their progress in the A group of qualifiers.
Mick Lillis’ men had won when the sides met a fortnight ago but having used one sub too many, had to replay the game.
They were clearly intent on making no mistake this time around and Niall Donoher had a point after 31 seconds.
The brilliant Conway added another and set up Darren Strong for a third before Armagh got their only score of the half with a 15th minute point by Micheál McKenna, whose delicate lob bounced over off the crossbar.
Conway fired an outstanding score and Paul Cahillane slotted an easy free before Conor Meredith showed good strength and composure to fire low to the Armagh net three minutes before the break to make it 1-5 to 0-1.
Armagh were a completely different proposition in the second half, showing great character as they chipped away with a couple of points before Rory Grugan fired a goal in the 45th minute.
Tony Kernan blazed wide from a glorious position having been set up by Grugan four minutes later, but undeterred, they kicked on with points from Grugan, Stefan Campbell and influential substitute Colm Watters.
Laois showed their own determination though and Ross Munnelly came off the bench to score two points.
Armagh were dealt a blow with the sending off of Aaron Findon three minutes from time and points from Gary Walsh and John O’Loughlin edged the hosts home.
Scorers for Laois: C Meredith 1-0; D Conway, R Munnelly (1f), J O’Loughlin 0-2 each; P Cahillane (f), N Donoher, D Strong, D Kingston (f), G Walsh (f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Armagh: R Grugan 1-2; S Campbell 0-4(3fs); C Watters 0-2; M McKenna, B Donaghy 0-1 each.
Laois
1 Graham Brody
2 Stephen Attride
3 Mark Timmons
17 Gearoid Hanrahan
5 Darren Strong
6 Kieran Lillis
4 Damien O’Connor
8 Brendan Quigley
20 John O’Loughlin
12 Colm Begley
11 Paul Cahillane
10 Niall Donoher
13 Conor Meredith
14 Donie Kingston
15 David Conway
Subs
19 Alan Farrell for O’Connor BC (21)
9 Kevin Meaney for Donoher (47)
25 Ross Munnelly for Conway (54)
7 Gareth Dillon for Strong (57)
24 Gary Walsh for Cahillane (64)
22 Matthew Campion for Quigley (70+3)
Armagh
1 Patrick Morrison
2 Shea Hefron
3 Brendan Donaghy
4 Joe McElroy
6 Andy Mallon
8 Charlie Vernon
5 Seán Connell
9 Aaron Findon
7 Stephen Sheridan
10 Tony Kernan
11 Rory Grugan
12 Aidan Forker
15 Micheál McKenna
14 Sefan Campbell
18 Pearse Casey
Subs
13 Niall Grimley for Sheridan inj (6)
22 Eugene McVerry for Casey (27)
19 Colm Watters for Connell (ht)
17 Mark Shields for McKenna (63)
Referee: Padraig O’Sullivan (Kerry)
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