JAMES McNAUGHTON went on a scoring rampage as Antrim got out of their sick beds to trounce Laois.
Davy Fitzgerald’s side were riddled with illness in the build-up but produced a superb display to give themselves a big chance of remaining in Division 1B.
McNaughton hit 2-11 at Corrigan Park, his first goal coming on 12 minutes as they surged into an early 1-7 to 0-2 lead.
Conor Johnston netted the second as they led by 2-15 to 0-8 at half-time.
Aaron Dunphy led a Laois fightback but Ryan Elliott was inspired in the Antrim goal.
Seaan Elliott’s sublime pass allowed McNaughton crack home his second goal and Eoin O’Neill put Keelan Molloy through for the Saffrons’ fourth.
Antrim are three points above the drop zone with their programme complete but Laois can still save themselves by beating Carlow and Dublin.
Fitzgerald said: “I’m very proud of them. During the week, we were extremely sick. We were, by far, the better team.”
ANTRIM: R Elliott; E McFerran, P Burke, S Rooney; J Maskey 0-1, E Campbell 0-1, C Boyd; C Bohill, G Walsh 0-3; R McCambridge 0-2, K Molloy 1-1, N Elliott; C McKeown 0-1, J McNaughton 2-11, 0-5f, 2 65, C Johnston 1-2. Subs: S Walsh for McCambridge 50 mins; S Elliott for G Walsh 55; E O’Neill for McKeown 55; F McCurry for N Elliott 70; A McGarry for Johnston 70.
LAOIS: C Dunne; P Dunne, L Cleere, P Delaney 0-2f; F Fennell 0-1, D Hartnett, J Walshe; A Corby, D Dooley 0-1; A Dunphy 0-9, 5f, 2 65, C Dwyer 0-1, W Dunphy; J Quinlan 0-1, P Purcell 0-2, T Keyes 0-1. Subs: J Lennon 0-1 for Corby 29; C Byrne 0-1 for Dwyer 33; M Dowling 0-1 for Purcell 50; J Duggan for Dunphy 57; C Comerford for J Walshe 69.
REFEREE: M Kennedy (Tipperary
