Laois saw out a narrow victory over Antrim at Pearse Park to chalk up their first win of the Joe McDonagh Cup, while handing the Saffrons their first loss.
Antrim were boosted before throw-in by the surprise start of Neil McManus who, despite picking up a gruesome injury against Carlow last weekend, was deemed fit to play.
The Saffrons, going into this riding the momentum of back to back wins, started the brighter of the two sides, forging themselves an early three point lead, harnessing the advantage if playing with the wind at their backs in a blustery Pearse Park.
But in what was almost a carbon copy of the relegation play-off between these two sides in March, Laois found their rhythm and gave Antrim plenty to think about as the game wore on.
Ross King’s clinical free-taking, combined with a series of poor defensive patches from the hosts enabled the O’Moore men to establish a 0-11 to 0-08 lead at the break.
Indiscipline from Laois after the break allowed McManus to establish a foothold in the game, restoring parity with three frees in the opening minutes, but the visitors eventually found the breakthrough when Willie Dunphy netted home a goal to quell the Saff’s pressure.
There was little to choose between the two as they continued to trade blows in equal measure, Laois keeping their noses in front with dutiful point conversions, while Antrim hit something of a purple patch to keep in touch.
Eamonn Kelly’s side were then reduced to 14 men after Lee Cleere was shown a second yellow for a foul on Nigel Elliott, and the Glensmen tried desperately to secure their first win over Laois at the third time of asking this season.
A Ciaran Clarke goal in injury time saw the home fans erupt, with the promise of a coveted place in the final at Croke Park seemingly in touching distance.
But Laois kept their composure to see out the win by the narrowest of margins and reignite their Joe McDonagh campaign.
Antrim: Ryan Elliott, Stephen Rooney, John Dillon, Arron Graffin, Paddy Burke, Conor McKinley, Ryan McCambridge, Eddie McCloskey (0-01), Simon McCrory, Nigel Elliott (0-01), Conor Johnston (0-03), Neil McManus (0-01, 0-10f), Donal McKinley (0-01), Conor Carson, Daniel McCloskey
Subs: Neil McAuley for Rooney (46), Conor McCann for D McCloskey (27), James McNaughton (0-02) for McCambridge (27), Ciaran Clarke (1-00) for McKinley (50)
Laois: Enda Rowland, Joe Phelan, Matthew Whelan, Lee Cleere (RED), Colm Stapleton, James Ryan, Ryan Mullaney, Patrick Purcell (0-02), Cian Taylor, Charles Dwyer (0-02), Ben Conroy (0-03), Ciaran Comerford, Ross King (0-10f), Neil Foyle, Willie Dunphy (1-02)
Subs: Aidan Corby (0-01) for Foyle (69), Stephen Maher for Taylor (57), Jake Creagh for Mullaney (60), Patrick McKane for Dunphy (65)
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Wexford)
