Derry graduate from Q school

SIX years since its inception and there is still a body of opinion that the Qualifiers are something to be endured rather than enjoyed. Well, Cavan on Saturday night was the perfect riposte to critics of the back door.

With the hurling quarter-finals dominating the weekend bill at Croke Park, Derry and Laois faced off with little fanfare, but still produced a game full of fluid football and few frees.

After their Leinster final defeat, Laois travelled with less momentum and they did well to keep the contest alive until the last minute against a county that holds great faith in the restorative powers of the last chance saloon.