Laois 2-17 Roscommon 0-16
Goals from Niall Donoher and Paul Kingston capped a storming second-half as Laois claimed a much needed win over Roscommon in Portlaoise.
The hosts led by just two points at half-time but dominated the second period, scoring 2-08, to claim their first win in this year's Allianz Football League Division 2 campaign.
Donoher's 46th minute goal put daylight between the sides after an exciting struggle and sub Kingston sealed the win three minutes from time with a well-taken second goal.
Tomas O’Flatharta's side needed the win to arrest their poor start to the season following losses to Westmeath and Cavan, and then had their clash with Galway last week postponed due to snow.
The O’Mooremen must have made most of the down time because they started with gusto and led 0-04 to nothing after just eight minutes.
Ross Munnelly, Darren Strong, Conor Boyle and Donoher all finished off slick moves with scores.
Roscommon were marginally better for the remainder of the half, but there was little between the two and Laois kept their noses in front on the scoreboard.
The hosts took a 0-09 to 0-07 advantage into half-time, however, it was 0-09 apiece five minutes into the second-half with points from Cathal Cregg and Donie Shine, and then Roscommon briefly moved ahead for the first time.
An exciting tussle was ultimately decided in a ten-minute spell when Laois scored 1-04 without reply.
Donal Kingston and sub Paul Kingston kicked three points between them, while Donoher fired home an impressive goal.
The wing-forward raced through the centre of Roscommon's defence before unleashing a rasping left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
The burst of scores moved Laois 1-13 to 0-10 clear and they were never less than three ahead in the run-in despite Roscommon's Cregg notching up three points in a row at one stage.
Kingston’s goal sealed the seven-point win after good work by Evan O'Carroll.
Laois: G Brody; M Timmons, P Begley, G Hanrahan; D Strong (0-01), C Begley, R Kehoe; B Quigley, J O'Loughlin; N Donoher (1-01), C Boyle (0-01), G Dillon; E O'Carroll (0-02, 1 45), D Kingston (0-06, 3f), C Munnelly (0-04, 2f).
Subs: B Sheehan for Dillon, P Kingston (1-02) for Boyle, D O'Connor for Donoher, S Attride for O'Carroll.
Roscommon: D O'Malley; N Carty, N Collins, S McDermott; D Keenan, N Daly (0-01), C Cafferkey; I Kilbride, D Shine (0-03, 2f, 1 45); M Nally, E Smith (0-1), C Cregg (0-05); C Murtagh (0-02), S Kilbride, D Murtagh (0-02, 2f).
Subs: C Shine for Nally, M Healy for I Kilbride, D Murray for Cafferkey, U Harney (0-02) for Smith, B Murtagh for Keenan, C Compton for C Murtagh.
Referee: J Henry (Mayo).
