Laois 2-16; Monaghan 1-11Laois, after victory at Clontibret yesterday, will now hope Carlow beat Wexford next Sunday to ensure promotion to the Premier Division. Monaghan were the better side in the opening half and a goal by Damien Freeman midway through the half put them ahead 1-3 to 0-2. However, on the stroke of half-time, Chris Conway converted a penalty for Laois but the home side held on for an interval lead of 1-7 to 1-4.

Monaghan opened the half with points from Eoin Lennon and the Freeman brothers. However, Brian McDonald netted a second Laois goal and they went on to score eight unanswered points. LAOIS: F Byron; P Conway, T Kelly, D Brennan; D Conway, K Fitzpatrick, D Ryan; P Clancy, N Garvan; G Kavanagh (0-1), D McEvoy, M Lawlor (0-2); B McDonald (1-1), G Ramsbottom (0-2), C Conway (1-9). Subs: S Kelly (0-1) for D McEvoy, B McCormack for G Kavanagh, K Kelly for D Conroy, P McDonald for D Brennan.

MONAGHAN: G Murphy; C Flanagan, D McDermott, P McKenna; G McQuaid, D Clerkin, R Ronaghan; J Hughes, J McElroy; E Lennon (0-1), JP Mone, S McManus (0-1); T Freeman (0-2), D Freeman (1-7), F Mone. Subs: R McGuigan for G McQuaid, R Woods for J McElroy

Referee: M Curley (Galway).