Laois defeated by Offaly in Joe McDonagh opener

Laois have beaten in the first round of this year's Joe McDonagh Cup by a gallant Offaly side in O'Connor Park this afternoon.

Willie Maher's side will look at the concession of the three goals as their downfall for the defeat.

Offaly 3-19

Laois 1-22

Laois got the game’s first score as Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher had missed a 65’ before he won the resulting puck-out with the Clough-Ballacolla man opening his tally for the contest. Aidan Corby and Aaron Dunphy both scored from play as Laois held the early advantage.

The next Laois score would be simple in its making as Enda Rowland found Dunphy from a puck-out with the number 10 making no mistake in splitting the posts. Offaly opened their scoring with a 65’ from corner-forward Eoghan Cahill.

Picky added to his tally with a 65’ before the home side got in for their first goal. David Nally setting up Cahill to bury the ball beyond Rowland as he took his and Offaly’s tally to 1-1. Laois responded well to the goal as they got the next four scores unanswered.

Stephen Bergin and Corby getting one each with Picky pointing two from play. Cillian Kiely and Cahill responded for the Faithful County as Laois led by three-points early on. Dunphy got his second white flag of the game as he pointed superbly from the sideline.

Laois were by far the better the side on the pitch as Offaly got their second goal to make it only a one-point game despite Laois’ double-figures on the points tally. Brian Duignan was provider as he teed up Joey Keenaghan to raise a green flag.

The next few scores were traded as Picky pointed a 65’ with Jack Kelly also scoring for Willie Maher’s side. Charlie Mitchell and Cahill replying for Offaly. Laois still holding the slender one-point lead. Laois hit the next two scores as Picky pointed a free with Corby getting his third-point of the half.

Offaly ended the half with a Cahill free as Laois held a two-point lead at the break. The away side will feel aggrieved that they didn’t hold a stronger lead considering their first-half dominance.

The home side started the second-half the better as they hit three of the first four points in the second period. Cahill pointed from play and from a free while Aidan Cleary levelled the contest after Picky had pointed a free for Laois.

Cahill and Picky traded trees before Offaly went ahead for the first time as Brian Duignan slotted the sliotar over the bar. They pushed further ahead as Cahill pointed after free. Laois’ keeper Enda Rowland got Laois within one point as he pointed a long-range free.

Offaly got the next two scores as a Cahill free and a score from Killian Sampson pushed them further ahead. Laois levelled the game in the 51st minute as they hit three scores without reply. Picky pointing two frees with Dunphy getting the leveller.

The home side hit the front again as Cahill pointed another two scores, one from a free. The sides were level as the clock ticked past 60 minutes as Paddy Purcell raised a white flag. Offaly grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck as Cahill fired in his second goal with the home side ahead by three yet again.

Picky pointed twice before the bed with Offaly’s Paddy Clancy and Kiely also raising white flags. Offaly winning out by three points in the end.

Laois face Down next Sunday in Laois Hire O’Moore Park in Round 2.