Lethargic Laois not Offaly-sharp

Laois 1-13 Meath 0-8

Yesterday's performance, though, will hardly fill the victors with confidence ahead of their date with a side they relegated to Division Two of the NHL.

Meath manager John Hunt was forced to field an understrength side after a spate of injuries robbed him of some of his best players, notably chief marksman Nicky Horan. Such was the strain on their resources that regular goalkeeper Mark Gannon was pressed into service at full-forward. Under the circumstances and the fact that they were reduced to 14-men after 25 minutes holding Laois to an eight-point margin was laudable.