Leitrim missed out on the Allianz football league division four title following a heavy defeat to Laois in the decider at Croke Park.
Just four points separated the sides at the break before a dominant second-half display saw Laois win out 3-14 to 0-9.
Leitrim made a blistering start, Riordan O’Rourke gave Andy Moran’s men the lead inside 60 seconds.
Leitrim almost conceded a goal 60 seconds later. Evan O’Carroll’s powerful shot from inside the 14-metre line came crashing off the crossbar.
O’Carroll accrued a free advantage beforehand and the Laois full-forward made no mistake from close range.
O’Carroll edged Laois in front on 15 minutes. 60 seconds later Mark Plunkett levelled the game at three points apiece.
Two minutes later, Laois moved three points clear. O'Carroll found Shaun Fitzpatrick in space, the latter fed Ben Dempsey and the Laois corner-back palmed to the net.
Laois now had momentum. Kieran Lillis slotted over an advanced mark on 24 minutes as the O’Moore County moved five points clear.
Ryan O’Rourke replied for Leitrim 60 second later. Goalkeeper Nevin O’Donnell followed up with a pointed free on 33 minutes making it a three-point game.
O’Carroll slotted over a free on the stroke of half-time giving Laois a four-point buffer; 1-7 to 0-6.
Laois second-half dominance
Eoin Lowry restored Laois’ five-point cushion just 34 seconds after the restart. Two minutes, later his effort was cancelled out by Nevin O’Donnell’s 45-metre kick.
On 47 minutes the Leitrim goalkeeper landed a superb score from play. Suddenly, it was back to a two-point game.
60 seconds later, Laois moved four points clear. Eoin Lowry found the net as Justin McNulty’s side led 2-9 to 0-9.
Laois subsequently found another gear hitting 1-5 without reply thereafter. Paul Kingston added a third goal eight minutes from time as the Leinster side ran out convincing winners.
