Red Hand put down marker

Tyrone 3-15 Laois 2-4

It was by no means a stroll in the park for the All-Ireland champions, but the plain truth is that Laois were seriously handicapped, mentally and physically, from their exertions in the Leinster final games with Westmeath over the past two weekends. And to really cap off their misery, top forward Beano McDonald was stretchered off late in the game.

Outstanding defender Joe Higgins was one of several players who couldn't line out yesterday, while Darren Rooney and Tom Kelly played in the half-back line in spite of respective thumb and finger fractures. Yet, nothing was as discouraging as the freak accident which forced McDonald off in the 63rd minute after suffering a compound fracture of his right ankle.