Down 2-9 0-7 Laois

Paul McCumiskey celebrates his first-half goal at Newry

Down progressed to the third round of the All-Ireland Football qualifiers after deservedly beating Laois in Saturday's clash at rain-lashed Newry.

Michael J Tierney hit two early points for Laois but Paul McCumiskey's goal and two Timmy Hanna points helped Down lead 1-4 to 0-4 at the interval.

While Laois battled well against the breeze in the third quarter, Down moved into a 1-7 to 0-6 lead.

Benny Coulter produced a great finish to score Down's second goal late on.

Laois started well with Tierney hitting the opening two scores of the match.

Brendan McArdle opened Down's account in the ninth minute and the home side were ahead four minutes later when McCumiskey struck the ball to the net after good work by Coulter and Ambrose Rogers.

Youngster Timmy Hanna then came into his own with two fine points which helped extend Down's lead to 1-4 to 0-2 - although Tierney hit two Laois scores before the interval.

Niall Donoher's point reduced Down's lead to two after the break but fine scores from Aidan Carr and Conor Garvey put the home side in control again.

Laois, helped by the introduction of Brian McDonald and Billy Sheehan, fought bravely to get back into the game but they were frustrated by the atrocious conditions as a couple of efforts went narrowly wide in the wind and rain.

A Daniel Hughes' point increased Down's lead to five but the home side than had a let-off when goalkeeper Brendan McVeigh allowed a shot to bounce over him - but over the bar.

However, the game was over when Coulter nipped in ahead of Laois keeper Michael Nolan to loft the ball into the net.

Hughes and Brian McDonald scored late points at either end as Down progressed to Sunday evening's third round qualifiers draw.

Down: Brendan McVeigh, Ciaran McGovern, Kevin McKernan, Damian Rafferty, Timmy Hanna, Paul Murphy, Conor Garvey, Dan Gordon, Stephen Kearney, Ambrose Rogers, Conor Maginn, Brendan McArdle, Brendan Coulter, Paul McCumiskey, Daniel Hughes

Laois: M Nolan; C Ryan, M Timmons, R Stapleton; A Fennelly, J O'Loughlin, N Donoher; P Clancy, K Meaney; B Quigley, C Rogers, R Munnelly; MJ Tierney, C Coss, P O'Leary.