Longford bowed out of the Leinster championship after Laois produced a stunning second-half come back to win 1-16 to 1-14 in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park.
Longford moved five points clear in the second-half but went 20 minutes without scoring as Laois kicked seven unanswered points that proved to be the difference.
Longford opened up a six-point lead in the opening 13 minutes finding the games opening goal in the sixth minute.
Darren Gallagher found a mark before setting up Dessie Reynolds to firing a powerful shot to the net. A pointed free from Rian Brady extended Longford’s lead to six on 13 minutes.
Laois were back in the game two minutes later when Paul Kingston scored a goal. Two Gary Walsh frees and a superb long range point from Kingston cut Longford’s lead to one in the 26th minute.
Longford replied with two points from Gallagher (1f), two from Brady (1f) and Donie McElligott point to lead by five points in the 33rd minute.
Laois replied with two late points to leave three between the sides at the break.
Laois keeper Niall Corbet pulled off two excellent saves to deny Longford further goals in opening exchanges of the second-half from Donie McElligott and Dessie Reynolds.
Daniel Mimnagh pounced on the loose ball and fired the ball over the bar from Reynolds saved shot.
Reynolds stretched Longford’s lead again to five in the 44th minute but that was to be their last score for 20 minutes. As Laois fought back into a one point lead.
Longford lost corner-back Paddy Fox in the 60th minute with a black card but they drew level in the 67th minute with a fine point from Joseph Hagan.
Laois powered back, points from Walsh (free) and substitute Sean O’Flynn to setup a Leinster semi-final with Dublin.
