Meath and Laois produced a thrilling hour's football at Stradbally yesterday. A goal by Noel Garvan after 10 minutes put the home side ahead 1-3 to no score. The visitors settled in the second quarter and a great goal by Evan Kelly opened their account.

Laois stretched their lead on 20 minutes when an Ian Fitzgerald goal helped Laois to a 2-6 to 1-4 half-time lead.

The second half was only two minutes old when Graham Geraghty converted a Meath penalty, but almost immediately Laois found the net at the other end through Chris Conway. Laois still led with 10 minutes remaining. However a succession of points in the closing minutes, took the Royal County to victory.

The fourth quarter-final between Wexford and Offaly at Gorey yesterday was abandoned just after half-time because of fog.

MEATH: D Gallagher; E McManus, D Fay, M McKeague; P Reynolds, R Rennicks, A Magee; N Crawford (0-1), J Cullinane (0-2); E Kelly (1-0), M Dowd (0-1), G Geraghty (1-5); C MCarthy, D Curtis (0-1), R Farrelly (1-0). Subs: M O'Reilly for E McManus; S Bray (0-1) for D Curtis; J Devine for A Magee; R Kealy (0- 2) for E Kelly; H Traynor for R Rennicks.

LAOIS: G Scully; P McDonald, J O'Reilly, J Higgins; D Brennan, P Conway, C Parkinson (0-1); N Garvan (1-0), E Delaney; P Langton (1-1), I Fitzgerald (0-3), M Lawlor (0-1); P Dunne, G Ramsbottom, C Conway (1-2). Subs: S Kelly for Langton; T Kelly for Dunne.

Referee: John Bannon (Longford).