Laois were clearly the superior side in this round robin game, but had 18 wides in all, and found themselves 1-7 to 0-6 in arrears at half-time after playing into the strong wind. Ciaran Jordan scored the Carlow goal. However, Laois killed off the Carlow challenge in the second half, with goals from Fionan O'Sullivan and the outstanding David Cuddy crucial.

Laois: J Lyons; PJ Peacock, B Maher, J O'Sullivan; P Mahon, P Cuddy, D Dowling; C Cuddy, D Conroy; D Rooney (0-3), D Cuddy (1-6), N Rigney (0-2); J Phelan (0-2), J Young (0-1), F O'Sullivan (1-0). Subs: N Lacy for J O'Sullivan (injured); A Coffey (0-2) for Mahon.

Carlow: P Fenlon; D Dundon, T Doyle, P Keogh; D Kavanagh, N Bambrick, J Nevin; D Roberts, R Foley (0-2); P Coady (0-6), C Jor- dan (1-1), J Kavanagh; M Ryan (0-1), D Murphy, J Byrne. Subs: B Murphy for Byrne; P Jordan for Keogh (injured).

Referee: J Guinan (Kilkenny).