Diarmuid Marsden was Armagh's most dangerous forward

Armagh 1-11 1-14 Laois

Laois earned the right to face Tyrone in the Allianz National Football League Final in a fortnight by deservedly beating All-Ireland champions Armagh at Croke Park.

The young Laois side produced a display of running football in keeping with the traditions of any team managed by their legendary manager Mick O'Dwyer.

Goalscorer and free-taker Damien Delaney top-scored with 1-6 but it was Colm Parkinson who particularly caught the eye in the Laois attack.

The fluency of Laois' play made the Armagh defence look rather ponderous on occasions.

Granted Joe Kernan's backline was minus the inspiration of Kieran McGeeney who had to cry off before the game because of a hamstring injury.

Laois could have struck four goals in the opening half but a combination of poor finishing and last-gasp defending meant the All-Ireland champions went in 0-9 to 0-8 ahead at the interval.

The superb Parkinson hit the opening point of the game in the second minute and Laois led 0-4 to 0-2 by the ninth minute.

Parkinson missed a glorious goal chance in the 14th minute when he failed to find the target from pointblank range with only Paul Hearty to beat.

The second quarter proved more productive for Armagh although Hearty had to come to his team's rescue to stop another Parkinson goal attempt in the 26th minute.

Steven McDonnell was Armagh's top scorer with four points

A minute earlier, Diarmuid Marsden's fine individual point had levelled matters and two fisted efforts from Barry O'Hagan plus a Paddy McKeever free then edged Armagh three ahead.

However crucially Laois fought back in the moments before half-time to register points from Stephen Kelly and Delaney which left the minimum between the sides at the interval.

Just as in the earlier semi-final, the opening seconds after the break saw a goal being scored.

Armagh midfielder John Toal was badly at fault with his attempted pass intercepted and Delaney then finishing off to the net.

The All-Ireland champions struck back with a goal of their own five minutes later.

Substitute Martin O'Rourke slammed the ball to the net which put Armagh ahead again at 1-9 to 1-8.

However, Laois hit the next three points to lead by two with 20 minutes left and they remained to the good for the remainder of the match.

Armagh fans will point to a controversial incident nine minutes from time when a quickly taken free appeared to have earned a goal.

However instead of awarding Armagh the free for an apparent foul on Diarmuid Marsden, referee Michael Collins had signalled for a Laois ball so the goal didn't stand.

A goal at that stage would have put Armagh a point ahead.

However, there was little doubt that Laois were the better side on the afternoon.

Scorers
Armagh: S McDonnell (0-4), M O'Rourke (1-0), D Marsden, B O'Hagan and P McKeever (all 0-2), J McEntee (0-1).
Laois: D Delaney (1-6), C Parkinson (0-3), S Kelly (0-2), N Garvan, M Lawlor, N Menelly (all 0-1).

Division 1B refixture
Sligo 0-12 1-7 Kildare (result - Down relegated)

Monday
NFL Division 2 semi-final
Wexford v Limerick