Kildare have given their hopes of survival in Allianz League Division Two a timely boost with a comfortable defeat of their accommodating neighbours across the border.

Michael Collins was the hero for Newbridge College at Donnybrook as his late penalty sent holders St Michael’s College crashing out of the Leinster Schools’ Junior Cup.

The some times invisible line between the summit and the basement of affairs in Division 2 was summed up at the end of this entertaining tussle of many twists before Laois finally turned for home with two precious points in their safe-keeping.

Just two points separate first from last in Division Two of the Allianz League after this rescheduled meeting in Portlaoise but the gap between Cavan and Laois on the day was enormous.

Mike Quirke’s Laois footballers recorded their first win of the campaign when they emerged with six-points to spare over Armagh at MW Hire O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, on Saturday evening.

The Mike Quirke era of Laois football began with a defeat in the opening round of the O’Byrne Cup against neighbours Offaly on Saturday.

Laois manager John Sugrue has named an unchanged side for tomorrow’s All-Ireland SFC fourth-round qualifier against Cork.

Laois edged out neighbours Offaly in a highly entertaining Midlands derby to seal their place in Round 4 of the All-Ireland Qualifiers.

The powerful midfielder crashed home a goal in the 31st minute to put Meath into a lead they wouldn't relinquish and his second with nine minutes to go killed the contest.

In-form Westmeath claimed their second piece of silverware of the season as they finished strong to secure the Allianz NFL Division 3 title.

Laois have sealed back-to-back promotions for the first time in their history after a dramatic win over Carlow.

Both Mayo and Galway have championship debutants for Sunday’s Connacht SFC quarter-final clash in MacHale Park in Castlebar (4pm).

John Sugrue was understandably pleased but sensibly restrained after watching his Laois side make the best of a strong start to see off neighbours Carlow and claim Division 4 honours.

Laois withstood a stubborn Wicklow fightback to claim a Round 1 All-Ireland Senior Football Qualifier win at a sunny Aughrim this evening.

Kildare have coasted through a Leinster football semi-final on the back of the most facile of victories over an utterly insipid Laois side in Tullamore this afternoon.

Four goals in six minutes of devastation sent Longford packing and set Laois up for a Leinster quarter-final clash with bitter rivals Kildare.

Laois 1-16 Meath 2-13: A controversial late penalty saw Meath advance on Saturday night in Stradbally to the O’Byrne Cup semi-finals at the expense of hosts Laois.

Wicklow 1-8 Laois 2-17: Laois made it two wins from two in the O’Byrne Cup as they brushed aside Wicklow in Greystones last night.

Clare only led once in this qualifier, but they hit the front when it mattered most, landing a winner as the game slipped into stoppage time to crown a great weekend for the Banner County.

Laois 1-11 Armagh 1-10: In the end, like most recounts in a general election, there was no change.

Laois came out on top a real dogfight at O’Moore Park and advance to the second round of All-Ireland qualifiers, while Armagh’s disappointing season is over.

Laois secured the dubious honour of a Leinster football quarter-final tie with Dublin in Kilkenny’s Nowlan Park early next month, but only with a deeply unimpressive and barely deserved win over Division Four opponents on home soil.

Ronan McNabb will play no part in Tyrone’s Ulster Football Championship opener against Derry on Sunday week.

Laois 1-16 Antrim 2-15: Laois became the 2015 football championship’s first high profile casualty on Saturday when they failed to defend a nine-point lead against Antrim in their home venue of O’Moore Park, eventually crashing out thanks to the concession of a late goal to Antrim substitute Dermot McAleese.

Kildare blitzed Laois in stunning fashion after half time to canter into a Leinster semi-final against Dublin.

Kildare 0-16 Laois 0-16: Tommy Moolick capped off a barnstorming performance off the bench with a wonderful injury-time point to rescue a draw for Kildare at the end of a thoroughly entertaining Leinster SFC clash with Laois at O’Connor Park.

Laois and Kildare couldn’t be separated and have to meet again next Saturday at O’Connor Park, Tullamore after this rip-roaring Leinster championship clash.

Laois 3-16 Carlow 0-8: It was as smooth a win as you could wish for but Laois manager Tomás Ó Flatharta learned little about his team as they steamrollered Carlow at Netwatch Cullen Park in this Leinster Championship opener on Saturday night.

Laois gained the expected upper hand in this local derby against Carlow to set up another battle for domestic bragging rights against Kildare in the Leinster quarter-final.

Down 3-12 Laois 1-15: Down’s ability to find the net helped them clinch promotion back to Division One while Laois maintained their league status despite defeat in Pairc Esler yesterday.

Allianz FL Division 2

Galway 0-10 Laois 2-10

Meath 0-13, Laois 0-13:

Laois 2-17, Roscommon 0-16: Tomás Ó Flatharta felt that there was a good performance coming from Laois, and they certainly impressed when recording their first victory of this year’s league campaign.

Laois 2-17, Roscommon 0-16:

Allianz FL Division 2 Round 2: Laois 2-6 Cavan 0-17: Neither the absence of light in their dressing room nor the malfunctioning showers could affect the good humour amongst the Cavan contingent at O’Moore Park on Saturday night.

Westmeath 1-12 Laois 0-10: Allianz Football League Division 2: Westmeath’s campaign got off to a winning start in Mullingar yesterday.

Laois 1-07 Maynooth 0-18: NUI Maynooth eased to a convincing eight-point win over Laois in Portarlington last night.

O’Byrne Cup

VFL Selection 27 (1-5-6) Ireland 100 (9-11-13)

Tipperary 3-17 Laois 4-9

Tipperary hurler Lar Corbett will make his first competitive start of the 2014 season in tomorrow evening’s do-or-die qualifier joust with Galway (throw-in 7pm).

Laois 1-19 Fermanagh 2-15

Laois 1-19 Fermanagh 2-15