Laois 2-8 Armagh 3-12
Armagh got their All-Ireland championship campaign off to a winning start in Portlaoise, with a seven-point win over Laois.
The Orchard ladies looked comfortable at the halfway stage, but two second half goals from the hosts left a nervy finish.
An Aoife McCoy major, her second of the day, helped ease concerns and Armagh were comfortable winners in the end.
McCoy netted in the first half while Niamh Reel, a late replacement for Aimee Mackin who came on in the second half, also raised a green flag.
Kelly Mallon got Armagh up and running with a score, but her opening point was soon matched by Laois.
Niamh Reel, Blaithin Mackin, Lauren McConville all added scores before Reel claimed the first goal of the game.
Mallon once again swapped scores with the opposition before McCoy stretched their lead to ten with a goal.
Mackin tagged on another before Laois hit three on the bounce to narrow the gap at half time. Armagh ahead by eight, 2-7 to 0-5.
Mallon exchanged efforts with the O’Moore County before Laois rattled the net to reduce the margin to five.
Caitriona O’Hagan, Eve Lavery and McCoy settled Shane McCormack’s side to open up an eight-point gap once again.
1-2 on the trot for Laois made it a three-point game heading into the final few minutes, but Armagh never panicked.
Lavery chipped over her second while McCoy claimed another goal to give the Orchard a seven-point cushion.
Armagh are out again next week as they host Mayo in the second round of the All-Ireland series, with their eyes on the knockout stages.
