Laois 1-10 Armagh 0-10
A Conor Meredith first half goal, coupled with a flurry of injury time points from Ross Munnelly and Jamie Farrell was enough to ensure that Laois would progress to Round 2A of the All-Ireland football qualifiers.
In a contest that was laced with errors, both sides took the lead at different stages of the first half and were level on four occasions.
Meredith's goal on 16 minutes appeared to have a decisive feel about it, but instead of capitalising on their advantage, Laois failed to register more than two scores in the final 20 minutes of the first half.
The goal was scored in somewhat controversial circumstances. Armagh's Mark Shields was down injured at the time and waiting to be substituted when Meredith kicked the score. Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney remonstrated with the referee but Armagh had a break previously when a replacement could have been made.
Both sides were wrapped in a 1-04 to 0-07 game at the half-time break thanks to two well converted frees in succession from Stefan Campbell. Laois looked more dominant in the opening 15 minutes of the second half, forcing Armagh to put 13 men behind the ball at times.
Points from Donie Kingston and David Conway put Laois 1-07 to 0-07 in front. Armagh rallied to reduce the deficit to just one as the concluding stages loomed but Laois would not be undone.
Seasoned Laois servant Ross Munnelly and substitute Jamie Farrell kicked the insurance points to secure the win and dump Kieran McGeeney's charges out of the championship.
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