Kieran Donnelly’s side were the better team in the opening quarter and raced into a three-point lead with points from Seán Cassidy (free), Joe McDade and Garvan Jones (free).
Kieran Lillis and a wonderful point from Paul Kingston cut the gap to one in the 16th minute.
Laois took the lead in the 18th minute when Evan O’Carroll found the back of the net. Fermanagh’s response was a goal from Callum Jones. Mark Barry (free) and Paul Kingston kicked over scores to draw Laois level in the 26th minute.
One minute later, Conor McShea scored a fine goal for the Erne County in the 27th minute but two points from the boot of O’Carroll (one free) cut the gap to one going in at the break – 2-04 to 1-06.
Just like the start of the first-half, Fermanagh made a fine start to the second-half with Che Cullen involved in two scores.
Garvan Jones pointed a free after the full-back was fouled and minutes later he set Callum Jones up for a fine point to put three between the sides.
There was action at both ends and in the 50th minute Laois were awarded a penalty after Rioghan Murphy was fouled. Mark Barry put the penalty away to edge Laois ahead for the first time since the 18th minute.
The sides were level twice before Fermanagh regained the lead in the 58th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Shane McGullion was fouled. Callum Jones slotted home the spot-kick and the lead was three again.
Paul Kingston pointed a free at the end to cut the deficit to one in stoppage time but Laois couldn’t get the equaliser.
Scorers – Fermanagh: C Jones 2-1 (1-0 pen), C McShea 1-0, J Largo Ellis, G Jones (2f), U Keim 0-2 each, D McCusker, B Horan, J McDade, S Cassidy (f) 0-1 each. Laois: M Barry (1 pen, 1f) 1-1, E O’Carroll (1f) 1-2, P Kingston 0-4 (1f), K Roche (2fs) 0-2, K Lillis, M Timmons, E Lowry 0-1 each.
Fermanagh: S McNally; L Cullen, C Cullen, J Cassidy; D McCusker, S McGullion, J Largo Ellis; B Horan, J McDade; C Jones, C McShea, F O’Brien; U Kelm, G Jones, S Cassidy. Subs: D McGurn for G Jones (49), C Love for S Cassidy (51), R McCaffrey for O’Brien and T Bogue for McDade (54), D King for C Jones (68).
Laois: K Roche; D Kavanagh, K Lillis, M Timmons; S Lacey, B Byrne, S Fingleton; D Larkin, C Heffernan; M Barry, E Lowry, K Swayen; R Murphy, E O’Carroll, P Kingston. Subs: S Fitzpatrick for Lillis (51), N Dunne for Lowry (61), M Dempsey for Kavanagh (66), N Corbet for O’Carroll (70+1).
Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway).
