NFL Division One B/Laois 1-15 Armagh 2-9: If ever Dessie Farrell and his GPA committee need ammunition to support their bid for player grants, a video of this rain-drenched tie at Plunkett Park, Crossmaglen, would surely fill the bill. "In such atrocious conditions every man on that pitch today gave his all," said the Laois manager, Mick O'Dwyer.
Laois completed a notable hat-trick of successive victories over leading Ulster teams - following wins over Down and Derry - with a highly impressive performance to subdue Joe Kernan's men.
The 70-plus minute of tireless effort, in conditions more suited to water polo, saw Laois resolutely stave off Armagh's best efforts to reduce the deficit.
After a lucky first-half Armagh goal, credited to Malachy Macken just before half-time, Laois corner forward Kieran Kelly repelled the Armagh challenge with a smart point within seconds of the restart, restoring Laois' three-point cushion. The way Laois responded with points to Armagh's best efforts to gain parity would have destroyed the morale of a lesser team.
Joe Kernan is now more concerned with the increasing injury problems he faces, especially following Oisín McConville's enforced retirement with a pulled leg muscle. "Our key concern is injuries," said Kernan. "The league was over for us after the first two games as far as qualifying was concerned."
Laois fielded without Ross Munnelly, but the introduction of Pat Clancy was a reminder of the depth of O'Dwyer's squad. Clancy joined Tom Kelly in midfield and Billy Sheehan moved to the right wing. The match was only 10 minutes old when Sheehan benefited from a Gary Kavanagh pass to score a great goal. This was the warning flicker that later turned into lightning for Armagh. The goal added to points from Tom Kelly, Chris Conway, Paul Lawlor and the ever-effective Pat Clancy.
Laois led by 1-6 to 1-4 at half-time and if they were unlucky to concede the first-half goal, the second-half penalty awarded against them was quite a generous one by referee Martin Duffy, who obviously did not appreciate a great one-handed tackle by Aidan Fennelly on Brian Mallon.
Steven McDonnell, a first-half replacement for Finian Moriarty, slotted the spot-kick, but it was far too late to upset Laois.
"I would not like to single out any individual for praise," said O'Dwyer. "It was a marvellous team effort in atrocious conditions, but I must say (Pat) Clancy turned in a very influential performance in the middle of the field." Armagh will bid to avoid relegation in their next league outing against Wexford, whom they played in last year's league final.
LAOIS: F O'Brien; A Fennelly, D Rooney, P McMahon; J Higgins, D Conroy, B McCormack; P Clancy (0-3), T Kelly (0-2); B Sheehan (1-0), C Conway (0-4); P Lawlor (0-2), B Brennan (0-2), K Kelly (0-1). Subs: C Parkinson (0-1) for Kavanagh, N Garvan for K Kelly.
ARMAGH: P Harty; A Mallon, A O'Rourke, F Moriarty; M Kernan (0-2, 1 f), K McGeeney, P McCormack (0-1); P Loughran, P McGrane; B Mallon, J McEntee, M Macken (1-0); M O'Rourke, (0-1), O McConville (0-5), S Kernan. Subs: E McEntee for McGeeney, S McDonnell (1-0, pen) for Moriarty, P Keenan for McConville, P McKeever for S Kernan.
Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).
