Laois 1-8 Antrim 1-8
A late point from Ryan Murray earned Antrim a share of the spoils against Laois in blustery conditions in O’Moore Park on Saturday night.
Debutant goalkeeper Matthew Byron looked to have won it for Laois when he drilled over a long range free in injury time but the visitors responded to level things.
Antrim played with the elements in the opening half and a goal from Odhran Eastwood had them five points up at one stage.
But Evan O’Carroll responded for Laois when he fisted to the net and the gap was back to two by the break, 1-6 to 1-4.
Laois got the first three points of the second half from Mark Barry, Gary Walsh and Eoin Lowry but could never open up a gap as Antrim remained in touch.
The home side were aggrieved when a shot was initially deemed a point before being overruled but they looked as if they were about to take both points on offer when Byron came up to point from 55 yards as the game ticked into injury time.
But Antrim worked a chance and Murray held his nerve to level things up.
LAOIS: M Byron (0-1, free); J Kelly, T Collins, A Mohan; S O'Flynn, J O'Loughlin, G Dillon; J Finn, K Lillis; C Murphy, E Lowry (0-1, free), P O'Sullivan; M Barry (0-2, one free), E O'Carroll (1-0), G Walsh (0-4, four frees).
Subs: B Byrne for Murphy (59 mins), R Munnelly for Dillon (63), A Farell for Finn (64 ).
ANTRIM: O Kerr; E McCabe, R Johnston, P Healy; M Jordan, J Laverty, P McAleer (0-1); M McCann (0-1), K Small; R Murray (0-2), J Gribbin (0-1), R McCann (0-2); T McCann, C Murray, O Eastwood (1-1).
Subs: M Johnston for Gribbon (h-t), D McAleese for R Johnston (43 mins), P McBride for Eastwood and P McCormick for T McCann (both 50), J McCann for McBride (59).
Referee: N McKenna (Monaghan).
