Laois secured their first win of the Joe McDonagh Cup at the third attempt at previously unbeaten Antrim's expense in Dunloy today.

After suffering defeats to Westmeath and Kerry respectively, Eamonn Kelly's side got two points on the board courtesy of a minimum margin 1-20 to 1-19 victory.

Ross King led the way for the winners with a return of 0-12 (11 frees) while Willie Dunphy netted their goal in the second-half.

The O'Moore County faced into a strong wind for the opening period but a battling display saw them take an 0-11 to 0-8 advantage into the break.

Despite losing the services of Lee Cleere to a red card in the 63^rd minute, the visitors prevailed in a tense finish after substitute Ciaran Clarke goaled for the Saffrons in stoppage time.

Neil McManus took the scoring honours for the hosts with 0-11 all from frees.

Laois - E Rowland; J Phelan, M Whelan, L Cleere; C Stapleton, J Ryan, R Mullaney; P Purcell (0-2), C Taylor; C Dwyer (0-1), B Conroy (0-4), C Comerford; Ross King (0-12, 11f), N Foyle, W Dunphy (1-0). Subs: A Corby (0-1) for N Foyle, S Maher for C Taylor, J Creagh for R Mullaney, P McKane for W Dunphy.

Antrim - R Elliott; S Rooney, J Dillon, A Graffin; P Burke, C McKinley, R McCambridge; E McCloskey (0-1), S McCrory; N Elliott (0-1), C Johnston (0-3), N McManus (0-11f); D McKinley (0-1), C Carson, D McCloskey. Subs: N McAuley for S Rooney, C McCann for D McCloskey, J McNaughton (0-2) for R McCambridge, C Clarke (1-0) for D McKinley.

Referee - J Heffernan.

Check out all the latest tables from the hurling championships here.

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