Offaly record first championship win over Laois since 2002

Offaly have recorded their first championship win over their neighbours Laois for the first time since 2002 in O'Moore Park this evening.

Declan Kelly's men were eight point winners and deservedly so against the Division 4 champions.

The defining moment in the game came just after the 20th minute mark when Laois were reduced to 14 men following the dismissal of corner back James Kelly.

Laois were five points down and rallied somewhat after that to draw level at half time. They briefly took the lead when play resumed but then went 25 minutes without scoring as Offaly poured it on down the other end.

Offaly started this game like a train and almost had a goal from the throw in when Jack Bryant won a long ball and ended up one on one with Killian Roche but fired over.

They were four points up by the sixth minute with Bryant kicking two more frees and Dylan Hyland also scoring.

Laois finally got going with an Evan O'Carroll point but Offaly continued with scores from Lee Pearson and Dylan Hyland.

Evan O'Carroll registered his second point but then in the 20th minute, Laois were reduced to 14 men.

James Kelly won a free but reacted to Dean Hyland and referee Jerome Henry penalised him for what he adjudged to be serious foul play and sent him off.

Keith O'Neill moved the gap out to five points but Laois regroup, reset, and played much better for the remainder of the half.

Killian Roche began the fightback with a free and then pulled off a fine save to deny Eoin Carroll.

Laois then had a goal when Shaun Fitzpatrick combined with Eoin Buggie to get a shot away, which was saved by Ian Duffy, but Fitzpatrick managed to thump the rebound home.

Ruairi McNamee extended Offaly's lead to two points but Laois finished with scores from Buggie