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

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 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.

Children are ‘almost guaranteed’ to get into difficulty at a specific attraction at the National Aquatic Centre (NAC), an inquest heard.

Laois 4-9 Tipperary 3-17

Tipperary 3-17 Laois 4-9

Laois 1-19 Fermanagh 2-15

Laois 1-19 Fermanagh 2-15

Laois 0-21 Wicklow 1-11

Monaghan secured the result of the day in Allianz Football League Division 2 by hammering Meath by 0-20 to 0-8.

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.

Donegal 0-14 Laois 0-8

Wexford 2-08 Laois 0-16

Clare 0-10 Laois 3-17

Laois 3-17 Clare 0-10

ALL-IRELAND SFC ROUND 1:

Laois 3-13 Carlow 0-12

Waterford veteran Tony Browne is hopeful of playing his first county hurling of the year in Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC qualifier clash with Westmeath in Cusack Park (5pm).

Former AFL player Conor Meredith has been handed his first Senior Championship start by Laois manager Justin McNulty.

Tyrone’s hopes of claiming a win in Killarney this weekend have been handed a considerable boost with the news that Stephen O’Neill has been passed fit for the third round All-Ireland qualifier against Kerry.

Laois manager Justin McNulty has selected an unchanged team to face Leitrim in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC third round qualifier at Carrick-on-Shannon (throw-in 7pm).

Laois manager Justin McNulty admits the underwhelming performance by his charges in scraping over the line against Carlow will not be good enough to progress in the second round of qualifiers.

Laois 1-10 Carlow 0-9

Laois 0-10 Down 2-11, Portlaoise

Laois manager Justin McNulty is determined to draw a line under the controversy that erupted in the wake of last Sunday week’s Division 1 league clash against Armagh in Portlaoise.

MAYBE there was a direct correlation between a lifeless Donegal performance that saw them fall to a second loss in Division One on the same weekend Kevin Cassidy announced his retirement from inter-county football.

Allianz Football League Division 2: Donegal 2-6 Laois 2-9

James Horan is targeting a prolonged run in the league to keep his Mayo charges sharp as they make a belated start to their championship campaign.

Mayo 1-11 Laois 0-8

Favourites University of Jordanstown survived a massive scare in Ratoath as University of Limerick made light of their underdog tag.

A strong first half display helped Laois capture the Bord na Mona Shield title for the third time as they beat Wexford 1-15 to 1-6 at Wexford Park.

I SPY Something Wonderful, by David Conway, illustrated by Paula Bowles (Red Fox; €7.10), is a book to share, about the wonders of life for a baby deer as he greets his new world with his parents.

THIS was no thriller but Portlaoise won’t care. Yesterday was all about the numbers – a sixth county title and their first three-in-a-row since 1987.

Portlaoise 1-9 Arles/Kilcruise 0-8

WITH this year’s Sigerson Cup being hosted for the first time by Carlow IT they will be desperately keen to be involved in the concluding stages over the weekend of March 7/8.

Cork 2-10 Laois 0-15

Laois 0-13 Offaly 1-7, Portlaoise

Knockbeg College2-8 St. Mary’s College0-11

LAOIS football sensation Donie Brennan bids to continue an amazing year when his Knockbeg College face St Mary’s (Galway) in the All-Ireland Colleges SFC A Final at Semple Stadium, Thurles this afternoon.