NOT so much a contest as a despairing painful cry for help.

Laois 3-12 Antrim 1-21

Cork 3-18 Laois 0-13

LAOIS walloped their Kerry hosts in this meaningless Allianz National Hurling League Division Two game, played in brilliant sunshine at Austin Stack Park yesterday.

Carlow 1-19 Laois 3-12, Dr Cullen Park

AN absence of belief cost Carlow the opportunity of a shock victory over neighbours Laois at O’Moore Park on Saturday night. That was the assessment of losing manager Kevin Ryan who felt the game was over as a contest with 25 minutes remaining.

LEINSTER SHC (Preliminary round): Laois 1-13 Carlow 0-10

CLARE manager Micheal McDermott has named three championship debutants for Sunday afternoon’s Munster SFC quarter-final against Waterford in Fraher Field, Dungarvan.

Laois 1-15 Kildare 0-8, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

Laois 1-14 Galway 3-20

JJ McHugh and Philip Russell have both been included in the Laois side for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC qualifier against Galway (O'Moore Park, throw-in 7pm).

Laois manager Damien Fox has named an unchanged team for Sunday's Leinster SHC quarter-final against Offaly (Tullamore, throw-in 3.30pm).

Limerick 3-15 Laois 1-13, Nenagh

Laois hurling manager Damien Fox has made two changes in personnel to his team for tomorrow's NHL Division Two final against Wicklow at Semple Stadium (throw-in 2pm).

Laois 4-15 Kerry 4-9, Gaelic Grounds

Wexford's good run in the Walsh Cup competition continued at Rathdowney today when they put paid to Laois' hopes of progression to the final thanks to a 2-22 to 1-14 win.

John Brophy hit the match-winning point in the 68th-minute as Laois gave the Dublin hurlers an early season shock at Rathdowney.

Damien Fox's reign as Laois hurling manager got off to a very satisfactory start as the midlanders ended Down's Walsh Cup hopes with a 2-15 to 1-9 defeat at Rathdowney.

Laois 1-13 Waterford 2-17

Dual star Darren Rooney will be missing from the Laois hurling team for tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC Group A qualifier clash with Waterford (O'Moore Park, throw-in 3.45pm).