Football League Division Two: Monaghan 0-19 0-14 Laois

Monaghan edged closer to promotion as they defeated relegation-threatened Laois in the Division tWO Football League game at Clones.

The Farney County led 0-4 to 0-1 early only but Laois fought back to draw level at 0-8 to 0-8 by half-time.

However, Malachy O'Rourke's side hit three unanswered points after the break to regain an initiative which they never really surrendered

Sub Stephen Gollogly's introduction helped Monaghan after the break.

Gollogly scored two points after Laois had threatened to fight back following Monaghan's three unanswered scores after the resumption.

Two points from Kieran Hughes helped Monaghan lead 0-4 to 0-1 but Laois fought back to lead 0-6 to 0-5 helped by a couple of scores from Darren Strong.

The sides traded points in the remainder of the first half with late Monaghan inclusion Dick Clerkin levelling just before the interval.

A fine point from Dessie Mone nudged Monaghan ahead after the break and it was quickly followed by Hughes and Conor McManus points.

Points from the ever-reliable Ross Munnelly and Billy Sheehan reduced Monaghan's lead to the minimum again but the home side grabbed firm control of the contest by hitting five of the next six scores, with Gollogly twice on target.

A draw against Galway next weekend will be enough to guarantee Monaghan a spot in next season's Division 1.

Laois will need a home win against Down to have any chance of avoiding the drop and even that will not prove enough if Armagh beat Donegal and Galway are victorious in Monaghan.

WEEKEND RESULTS

SATURDAY

Football League Division One

Dublin 3-14 2-17 Mayo

Division Two

Meath 1-14 1-11 Down

Division Three

Cavan 0-14 1-08 Roscommon

SUNDAY

Football League Division One

Cork 2-14 0-20 Tyrone

Derry 2-17 3-09 Kildare

Westmeath 0-13 2-15 Kerry

Division Two

Galway 2-14 1-13 Armagh

Monaghan 0-19 0-14 Laois

Donegal 1-19 3-07 Louth

Division Three

Offaly 1-12 1-13 Limerick

Sligo 0-15 2-08 Longford

Fermanagh 1-14 0-06 Wexford

Division Four

Antrim 3-15 1-10 London

Leitrim 0-16 5-16 Tipperary

Clare 3-21 2-10 Carlow

Wicklow 2-14 0-12 Waterford

HURLING LEAGUE

Division 1 quarter-finals

Laois 2-19 2-23 Clare

Wexford 2-16 4-22 Kilkenny

Limerick 1-12 1-20 Galway

Tipperary 3-25 4-19 Cork

Division 1A relegation play-off

Waterford 1-17 4-13 Dublin

Division 1B relegation play-off

Antrim 1-18 1-14 Offaly

Division 2B relegation play-off

Fingal 0-08 4-12 Armagh