Gilligan stars as ruthless Bannermen punish lacklustre Laois

Clare 3-18 Laois 1-11

Laois manager Paudie Butler's blunt statement was an accurate reflection of what had happened earlier on the field, though he was being a little kind to his own side.

The failure of Laois extended to more than three or four. Only the spine of his side from keeper John Lyons through full-back Patrick Cuddy, Paul Cuddy in the centre, James Young in midfield, David Cuddy on the 40 and Liam Tynan on the edge of the square looked up to standard.