Laois 1-12 Antrim 0-10

LAOIS forward Ross Munnelly has welcomed the return of his 2003 Leinster SFC winning team-mates Colm Parkinson and Gary Kavanagh into the panel and claimed manager Justin McNulty has assembled a panel reflecting the best the county has to offer.

IT might only have been the second weekend in January but Tony Hannon’s clenched fist celebrations after scoring what turned out to be the winning point in a chilly Portlaoise yesterday suggested Wicklow are well up for a repeat of their O’Byrne Cup run to the semi-finals in 2007.

Several Laois footballers have come out in support of their former manager Mick O'Dwyer after he was labelled a "bluffer" by one of their former teammates in a radio interview.

Half-forward Billy Sheehan could struggle to be fit in time for Laois' Leinster SFC semi-final against either Louth or Wexford on July 1.

Laois and Longford have selected their starting teams for their Leinster SFC quarter-final duel at Tullamore (throw-in 6.45pm) on Saturday.

A fired-up Laois side added to Down's woes as the Mourne men lost for the third time in four NFL games in Newcastle today to remain rooted to the bottom of the Division 1B table.

Laois 2-10 Louth 1-13

Laois manager Liam Kearns has made eight changes to his side to face Dublin in tomorrow's O'Byrne Cup Final at Tullamore.

Laois chalked up their first win under new manager Liam Kearns this afternoon as they made use of a second half wind advantage to secure a 1-11 to 0-7 O'Byrne Cup first round victory over Kildare.

Padraig Clancy will make his first inter-county start since June 25 when Laois clash with Mayo in Sunday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final at Croke Park (throw-in 2pm).

Team captain Gary Kavanagh has been omitted from the Laois starting line-up for Sunday's All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Offaly (Portlaoise, throw-in 4pm).

LESS than 10,000 people braved the wintry wind and rain to make their way to O’Moore Park on Saturday but the number who will claim to have been there will probably double or triple in the years to come.

ARMAGH have made two changes for Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Ulster SFC final clash with Donegal at Croke Park.

Laois manager Mick O'Dwyer has made four changes to his side for Saturday's All-Ireland second round qualifier against Tyrone in Portlaoise (throw-in 5.30pm).

Billy Sheehan will deputise for crocked Laois captain Gary Kavanagh in Sunday's Leinster SFC semi-final against reigning champions Dublin (Croke Park, throw-in 2.00pm).

Laois manager Mick O'Dwyer has been handed a double injury boost ahead of his side's Leinster SFC semi-final clash with Dublin on Saturday week.

Brave Carlow's Leinster SFC run came to an end at O'Moore Park today as Laois set up a repeat of last year's final against Dublin with a 1-17 to 1-09 defeat of their neighbours.

Laois 1-16 Derry 0-10

Rhode (Offaly) 1-6 Stradbally (Laois) 0-6

Laois 1-11 Derry 0-11

JASON SHERLOCK has been given a starting place on the Dublin team for next Sunday’s Bank of Ireland Leinster SFC final at Croke Park, while former Austin Stack’s clubman Billy Sheehan retains his place on the Laois side.

A STRANGER ambling through Laois or Kildare this past two weeks would be forgiven for thinking it was a boxing or wrestling show in the pipeline this week.

Laois 1-10 Offaly 1-8

Offaly go from favourites to underdogs today as they take on last year's Leinster runners-up, Laois, in the provincial quarter-final at Croke Park today.

Laois boss Mick O'Dwyer has handed All-Ireland minor medallist Colm Begley his debut for Sunday's Leinster quarter-final clash against Offaly at Croke Park.

Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has handed Philip Jordan his first appearance of the National League campaign as the Red Hands travel to Mullingar to face Leinster champions Westmeath in Division 1A today.

Laois 0-17 Armagh 3-10

Sligo 0-11 Laois 1-15

Galway, Laois, Down and Wexford all enjoyed wins in Division 1B of the Allianz NFL today.

Laois 0-17, Westmeath 0-12

Clontarf Bulls 32 Dublin Blues 30

storming second half display from Clontarf Bulls saw it clinch the Rugby League Ireland Conference title at Castle Avenue with a 32-30 win over the Dublin Blues.

All-Ireland champions Tyrone blasted their way into the quarter-finals with a 14-point demolition of Laois at Croke Park.

TWELVE months ago, an injured Chris Conway watched Laois capture their first Leinster title since 1946 from the Hogan Stand.

Laois star Colm Kelly has heaped yet more unwanted injury agony on boss Mick O'Dwyer with the news that he has broken a bone in his leg.

LAOIS’ first defence of their Leinster SFC title on Sunday is boosted by the return of Kevin Fitzpatrick for the meeting with Carlow in Dr Cullen Park.

MICK O’DWYER’S chances of retaining the Leinster SFC title with Laois took a considerable turn for the better on Sunday with the outstanding performance of his new-look midfield against Wexford.

THE highly competitive nature of the National Football League is taking its toll with many players injured.

MICK O’DWYER won’t be rushing any of his injured Laois stars back even if it means the Leinster champions playing in Division Two next year.