Armagh snatch win over Laois

Armagh 0-13 Laois 0-12

NFL Division 2

Ryan Henderson struck with the last kick of the ball to snatch the winner for Armagh after a hugely entertaining game at Portlaoise.

While Laois got off the mark with a pointed free from Michael John Tierney inside the opening minute, Armagh were quickly into their stride. Corner-backs Andy Mallon and Paul Duffy both made early supporting runs and Duffy was involved three times in a move that also included Clarke for McDonnell to clip over delightfully.

McDonnell slotted a free for a foul on Clarke but Cahir Healy, playing his first game of the season due to his involvement with Portlaoise in the All-Ireland club semi-final, drove forward from centre-back to level.

Tierney stroked over a free from almost 45m out but having missed a similar opportunity, Kernan nullified that score from a difficult angle.

McDonnell delved into the archives to produce a trademark shimmy before sending one over with the outside of his right boot and drove over a 45 soon after to stretch the visitors’ advantage.

Vincie Martin was only on the field five minutes for the injured Dyas when he was sent packing on a straight red card in the 26th minute, following an altercation with Kevin Meaney.

Crucially though, Meaney – who won a couple of marks for some fine fetches – was shown a yellow and after a tough but hardly malicious tackle on Kernan in injury time, was shown another to be sent off.

Peter O’Leary wasted a great chance of a goal for Laois by blazing over but it was all Armagh in the closing minutes of the half.

Duffy and the highly effective Malachy Mackin were very much to the fore as James Lavery, Ryan Henderson and McDonnell – his sixth of the half – gave the Orchard County men a 0-9 to 0-5 half time lead.

Seán Dempsey introduced Donie Kingston at the break despite the big man having played U21 earlier in the day and he had a point in a matter of seconds to give the hosts hope.

Within minutes they were level, as Tierney (free), Colm Begley and Sheehan also found the target.

Armagh responded impressively though with Mackin, McDonnell and Henderson stroking over wonderful scores, the latter two after further charges from Duffy and Mallon.

Laois would not lie down though and building up a head of steam, restored parity with points from Darren Strong, Kingston (free) and Healy.

Henderson wasted a splendid opportunity to snatch the points but when presented with a more difficult opportunity deep in injury time, produced the goods to steal the spoils.

Armagh: P McEvoy; A Mallon, B Donaghy, P Duffy; K Dyas, C McKeever, F Moriarity; J Lavery 0-1, K Toner; J Feeney, M Mackin 0-1, A Kernan 0-1(f); R Henderson 0-3, R Clarke, S McDonnell 0-7(2fs, 1 45). Subs: V Martin for Dyas inj (21); B Mallon for Clarke (62); M McNamee for Mackin (68); R Austin for Lavery (70)

Laois: M Dowling; J Scully, M Timmons, P McMahon; D Strong 0-1, C Healy 0-2, C Begley 0-1; B Quigley, C Óg Greene; P O’Leary 0-1, B Sheehan 0-1, K Meaney; MJ Tierney 0-3(fs), P Lawlor 0-1, N Donoher. Subs: D Kingston 0-2(1f) for Lawlor (ht); C Rogers for Donoher (58); D Rooney for Greene (58)

Referee: R Hickey (Clare)