Laois 1-15
Meath 1-12

Laois booked their place in a first All-Ireland SFC Quarter-Final since 2006 following a hard-earned win over Meath at O'Connor Park, Tullamore this afternoon.

9,140 spectators watched a game where Laois produced some excellent football in the opening half, and although Meath staged a late rally, time ran out on the Royals as Laois secured a last-eight berth.

Six days after a Leinster final defeat to Dublin, it was always going to be tough for Meath to pick up the pieces.

The record books not stacked in their favour as only twice had a beaten provincial finalist managed to take victory in an All-Ireland Qualifier six days later.

Meath settled quickest with a second minute pointed free from Brian Farrell opening the scoring.

The Nobber clubman would go on to score seven further placed ball kicks, but despite his efforts this early lead would be the only time Meath would lead on the score-board.

Twice Laois broke in front over the next five minutes, and twice Meath would level the contest, but Justin McNulty's side showed a great hunger and Meath simply couldn't cope.

Following a quartet of unanswered points between the 10th and 19th minutes, Laois moved into a 0-7 to 0-3 lead with Darren Strong, Brendan Quigley, Damien O'Connor and Ross Munnelly on target.

Four different lines of the field producing those four scores - a firm indicator of the team ethic which was hugely in evidence from the O'Moore's.

Farrell kept Meath in touch from placed balls, but at the opposite end Laois were inflicting huge damage.

In the 25th minute Padraig Clancy popped a shot into Meath keeper David Gallagher who came under pressure and eventually was forced to foul Colm Kelly and concede a penalty.

Munnelly stepped up and had no hesitation in delivering to push Laois 1-7 to 0-4 in front.

Referee Joe McQuillan was certainly busy taking names with seven players booked before the interval, including five Laois men.

Kelly and Farrell traded points, with the latter's score the Royals first in 11 minutes.

Farrell registered Meath's first wide approaching the 35th minute, before Kelly finished the half with a converted 45 metre kick to ensure Laois led by 1-9 to 0-5 at the break.

Meath were expected to deliver a strong performance in the second half, but it was Laois who claimed the opening scores.

The O'Moore's building up a 10-point lead inside three minutes of the restart, with Billy Sheehan, Munnelly and Clancy on target.

Meath bounced back with a salvo of their own with four points between the 39th and 44th minutes - a point each coming from Stephen Bray and Eoghan Harrington and Farrell claiming a brace.

Meath continued to look good, but began to squander their chances as the game entered the final quarter.

Substitute Jamie Queeney blazed an effort wide of the target, while Joe Sheridan failed to convert a 45 metre kick.

The Royals were also stringing together some good team moves including one involving Peadar Byrne, Farrell, Tom Walsh and Sheridan, but failed to deliver at the vital stages.

With seven and a half minutes of normal time remaining Farrell's seventh point left a six-point gap between the sides.

MJ Tierney pushed Laois 1-15 to 0-11 ahead with an excellent score from the tightest of angles.

However, Meath weren't finished yet and set Laois hearts racing when 1-1 in the space of 90 seconds cut the gap to three points.

Farrell bringing his tally to eight points before a Byrne goal, after good support work from Farrell and Sheridan ensured a 1-15 to 1-12 score-line with two minutes of normal time remaining.

With three minutes of additional time also added, there was plenty of time for Meath to snatch extra-time or indeed carve out victory.

This failed to happen, despite strong dominance of possession as Laois held out for victory and left their supporters over-joyed by the outcome.

With four qualifier wins under their belt, the O'Moore's have certainly picked up huge momentum since their Leinster first round exit to Longford.

A provincial champion lies in wait for Laois next weekend, but it will be a task which McNulty's charges will hold no fear of.

LAOIS: E Culliton; P O'Leary, K Meaney, C Healy; D Strong (0-1), J O'Loughlin, C Boyle; B Quigley (0-1), C Begley (0-1); R Munnelly (1-4, 1f), P Clancy (0-2), B Sheehan (0-1); C Kelly (0-2, 1 '45), G Walsh, D O'Connor (0-1). Subs: D Conway for Walsh (47); MJ Tierney (0-2, 1f) for Kelly (51); P Cahillane for Conway (63).

MEATH: D Gallagher; D Keoghan, G O'Brien, M Burke (0-1); D Carroll, S McAnarney, D Tobin; C Gillespie, G Reilly (0-1); A Forde, S Bray (0-1, 1f), B Meade; B Farrell (0-8, 8f), J Sheridan, C Ward. Subs: P Byrne (1-0) for Forde (21); E Harrington (0-1) for Keoghan (25); J Queeney for Ward (46); T Walsh for Carroll (51); M Collins for Gillespie (60).

REFEREE: Joe McQuillan (Cavan) Tweet

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