Laois - 0-12 Armagh - 0-8: Laois, after indifferent performances in the National League, travelled to Pearse Park yesterday in more hope than confidence to take on a fancied Armagh side in the league semi-final.
This was the second meeting of the teams in the semi-final, the last being in 1994 when Armagh scored a resounding 10-point victory.
However, Laois were out in search of revenge and although favoured by the breeze in the opening half, they trailed by two points after 10 minutes, Paul McGrane and Peter McKeever scoring early for Armagh. The game was 15 minutes old when Greg Ramsbottom scored the opening point for Laois. The sides were level five minutes later when Chris Conway pointed a free.
Laois played better football now and scored two points in quick succession from Ramsbottom and Conway. Former minor star Brian McDonald made it 0-5 to 0-2 after 22 minutes but Armagh were to finish the half the stronger. Stephen McDonell pointed twice and on the stroke of half-time McGrane sent over the equaliser to leave the sides on 0-5.
Much was expected of Armagh on the changeover, but Ian Fitzgerald regained the lead for Laois two minutes after the restart. The sides were level a minute later when McGrane sent over a long-range point.
Armagh took the lead with a well-taken point from Oisín McConville after 40 minutes and it looked as if Armagh were about to pull away. However, Laois produced their best football playing into the strong breeze and had four excellent points from Brian McDonald, Michael Lawlor and two in a row from Conway to lead by 0-10 to 0-7 midway through the second half.
Laois had a golden opportunity to wrap up the game when Fitzgerald was pulled down in the square for a penalty, but Conway blasted the spot-kick wide of the post. However, luck was on their side two minutes later when Armagh should have scored a goal, but the Laois defence came to the rescue.
Armagh were dealt a cruel blow when defender John Donaldson was sent off for a second bookable offence. Fitzgerald added two fine points and Armagh's only response was a Diarmuid Marsden point after 65 minutes. Laois held on and advance to meet Kerry in the Division Two final in two weeks' time.
LAOIS: F Byron; P Leonard, T Kelly, P McDonald; D Conroy, K Fitzpatrick, D Ryan; N Garvan, P Clancy; I Fitzgerald (0-3), D McEvoy, M Lawlor (0-1), B McDonald (0-2), G Ramsbottom (0-2), C Conway (0-4). Subs: D Brennan for D Conroy, K Kelly for D Ryan, E Delaney for P Leonard
ARMAGH: B Tierney; K McElvanna, A McCann, J Donaldson; A O'Rourke, F Bellew, P McCormack; P McGrane (0-3), J Tohill; P McGeever (0-1), J McEntee, O McConville (0-1), S McDonald (0-2), D Marsden (0-1), K McGeeney. Subs: B Duffy for A O'Rourke, C O'Neill for F Bellew, C O'Rourke for P McCormack.
Referee: G Kinneavey (Roscommon).
