Longford can look forward to playing in Allianz football league division three next year after beating Laois 2-17 to 1-13 at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.
Billy O’Loughlin’s men led 1-10 to 1-5 at the half-time break before finishing the game with seven points to spare.
The sides were deadlocked at four points each on 13 minutes where Joseph Hagan kicked three points for Longford while Oran Kenny was also on target.
Three minutes later, Laois moved two points clear when Mark Barry scored a goal before Longford led by the same margin on 27 minutes when Dessie Reynolds found the net.
The goal galvanised the visitors who finished the half with three unanswered points from Reynolds, Hagan and Darren Gallagher.
Ten minutes into the second half, Hagan scored Longford’s second goal before the sides traded five points each making it a nine-point game two minutes from time.
Laois finished the game by grabbing three of the last four scores but still suffered a seven-point defeat in the end.
The result leaves Longford level on points with Laois but Longford avoid relegation based on a superior head-to-head record following the victory.
Laois will drop down to division four next year along with Wicklow who suffered a 2-17 to 1-13 defeat at the hands of Louth.
