Last-gasp goals from Evan O’Carroll and Kieran Lillis earned Laois a deserved draw with Roscommon at Dr Hyde Park, 2-14 apiece.

The Rossies looked to be on course for victory as they held a commanding six-point advantage approaching the end of normal time, 2-13 to 0-13 and with their opponents down to 14 men following a black card for full back Mark Timmons, Enda Smith tucking away a 62nd-minute penalty after Niall Kilroy’s major a minute from the interval had given Anthony Cunningham’s men a 1-7 to 0-9 lead at the short whistle.

O’Carroll’s rocket of a goal from 20 metres followed by a point looked like they were going to be mere consolation for Mike Quirke’s charges once Noel Gately blasted over at the other end, but they kept believing and were rewarded when Lillis got on the end of a 74th-minute Ross Munnelly free to nail the equaliser.

Laois had been the better side in the first half but Kilroy’s goal proved to be a real sucker punch. Points from Cian McKeon (free), Niall Daly and Donie Smith (free) saw the hosts move ominously ahead and Smith’s penalty goal looked like the clincher. The drama at the death typified a brilliant opening weekend of league action, Laois heroes O’Carroll and Lillis registering a combined tally of 2-9.

Roscommon - C Lavin; D Murray, B Stack, G Patterson; P Scott, N Daly (0-1), R Hughes; T O’Rourke, S Killoran (0-1); N Kilroy (1-0), E Smith (1-2, 1-0pen), F Cregg; D Smith (0-4, 2f, 1m), C McKeon (0-3, 2f), C Cregg (0-1). Subs: C Daly for R Hughes, H Darcy (0-1f) for F Cregg, C Lennon for C Cregg, N Gately (0-1) for D Smith, D Ruane for T O’Rourke.

Laois - N Corbett; T Collins, M Timmons, G Hanrahan; S O’Flynn, R Pigott, P O’Sullivan; K Lillis (1-3, 0-1m), J O’Loughlin; S Byrne, M Barry, E Lowry; M Keogh (0-1), C Murphy (0-2, 1m), E O’Carroll (1-6, 0-2'45, 0-1f, 0-1m). Subs: C Healy for T Collins, R Munnelly (0-2, 1f, 1m) for C Murphy, D O’Connor for M Keogh, G Walsh for J O’Loughlin, G Comerford for E Lowry, B Byrne for M Barry.

Referee - C Branagan.

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