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.

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.

How do you measure heartache? Years spent in the doldrums, woeful win-loss ratios, and player unrest or disinterest are all useful, dependable, barometers.

Cork will spend the next two weekends in Croke Park after comfortably securing their place in the Super 8s with this emphatic 14-point dismissal of Laois.

Laois manager John Sugrue believes the O’Moore County must improve if they are to prolong their championship summer despite an impressive four point victory over Derry in Owenbeg on Saturday.

Eoin Lowry was Laois' late goal scoring hero as John Sugure's side edged a tight encounter against Derry to ensure they are in the hat for Monday's All Ireland Qualifying Series third round draw.

The postponed Round 6 tie between Westmeath and Louth will take place next weekend, rather than midweek ensuring the final will not take place in Croke Park next weekend.

Down have moved top of Division 3 of the Allianz Football League, while Derry guaranteed promotion from Division 4, as they continued maintained their winning ways, with an away victory over Limerick.

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

UCD 1-13 NUI Galway 2-9: Tipperary's Liam Casey emerged as UCD's last action hero at Santry Avenue where the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup final favourites eventually edged an epic encounter.

Sigerson Cup: UCD 2-15 - NUI Maynooth 1-6: UCD manager John Divilly praised his side’s composure as last year’s beaten finalists saw off an erratic NUI Maynooth to open their Sigerson Cup campaign with a win.

UCD 2-9 Dublin 1-10:A 63rd-minute goal from substitute Sean Meade helped UCD overcome Dublin by two points in the O’Byrne Cup at Parnell Park last night.

UCD 4-12 UL 1-9: UCD could be without Jack McCaffrey for their first Sigerson Cup final appearance in 13 years after the footballer of the year hobbled out of yesterday’s semi-final contest with a hamstring injury.

UCD 2-18 DCU 0-12: UCD finished strongly to claim the Ryan Cup, following victory over rivals DCU in last night’s HE SFL Division 1 Final at Parnell Park.

Agricultural Science Association and Kerry Group hope a new award will help Irish graduates develop new food technologies.

Sigerson Cup semi-finals DCU v UCD, Mardyke (R Hickey, Clare), 2pm

The semi-final pairings for the Bord na Móna O'Byrne Cup were confirmed today, where Kildare, UCD, Meath and DCU progressed to the last four.

Laois 2-18 Offaly 1-15