Down 2-9 Laois 0-7:FOR THE second successive year Down knocked Laois out of the All-Ireland qualifiers with this eight-point victory at Páirc Esler, Newry, on Saturday.

Laois opened strongly with two points from Michael J Tierney. It was not until the 10th minute that Down registered their first score when Brendan McArdle landed a point.

A minute later a three-man move set up Paul McCumiskey for a goal and a lead Down never again lost.

Down managed two points from Timmy Hanna and one each from Benny Coulter and Daniel Hughes before Tierney pointed two Laois frees to leave Down three points up at half-time, 1-4 to 0-4.

That lead was extended before the real knockout blow came with six minutes remaining in the game. Substitute John Fegan set up Benny Coulter to shoot to the net to give Down an unassailable lead.

DOWN: B McVeigh; C McGovern, K McKernan, D Rafferty; T Hanna (0-2), P Murphy, C Garvey (0-1); D Gordon, S Kearney; A Rogers, C Maginn, B McArdle (0-1); B Coulter (1-1), P McCumiskey (1-0), D Hughes (0-2). Subs: A Carr (0-2, one free) for Murphy (21 mins), J Fegan for McArdle (52 mins), J O’Reilly for Maginn (66 mins), C Murney for Hanna (67 mins), D O’Hanlon for McGovern (69 mins).

LAOIS: M Nolan; C Ryan, M Timmins, R Stapelton; A Fennelly, J O’Loughlin, N Donogher (0-1); P Clancy, K Meaney; B Quigley (0-1), C Rogers, R Munnelly; MJ Tierney (0-4, three frees), C Coss, P O’Leary. Subs: B Sheehan for O’Leary (30 mins), B McDonald (0-1 free) for Coss (43 mins), P McNulty for Munnelly (50 mins), J Higgins for Tierney (58 mins), B McCormack for Rogers (63 mins).

Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan).