Dwyer the hero as 14-man Laois pip Antrim

Cha Dwyer hit an injury-time winner for 14-man Laois to give their top-tier survival hopes a huge shot in the arm.

Antrim had come from six points behind to lead during the final moments of normal time, but defeat means they will now enter a league relegation play-off should they lose to Tipperary.

Jack Kelly was dismissed for striking on 24 minutes, the toll of which seemed to finally tell on the hosts at O'Moore Park — before PJ Scully levelled matters ahead of Dwyer’s winner.

Antrim flew out of the blocks with the first three points of the game through Neil McManus (free), Michael Bradley and Conal Cunning.

After strong performances in defeat to Kilkenny, Dublin and Waterford, it hinted at a brighter afternoon for Darren Gleeson’s team.

By the end of the half, they were six points in arrears to a Laois side that had goals on their mind.

James Keyes hit a tame attempt early on but, after five minutes, Paddy Purcell raced onto a breaking ball, headed for the penalty area, and fired to the net from a tight angle.

The sides then traded scorers as Stephen 'Picky’ Maher, Keyes and Dwyer did the needful for the O’Moore County, while Seann Elliott and McManus frees kept the Saffrons in the hunt.

Then came the decisive moment of the half as Kelly drove forward and won a free on 24 minutes, but was red-carded for swinging back after the whistle had been blown.

Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett’s men didn’t panic, however, and won the remainder of the opening period by 0-05 to 0-01 with scores through Maher, Enda Rowland (free), Willie Dunphy, and long-range pearlers from Purcell and Keyes.

Gleeson brought on Conor McCann and James McNaughton at the interval to inject a fresh attacking impetus, and his side replied with three quick scores to make