The second James Owens blew the final whistle on Laois’ stunning nine-point defeat of Offaly in Sunday’s Leinster quarter-final, man of the match Willie Hyland made a beeline towards his manager.

Laois 0-29 Offaly 0-20: A little over a week ago, Laois hurling was at a crossroads, with the significant progress made in the past three years on the brink of being washed away in one fell swoop.

Laois chairman Gerry Kavanagh has expressed delight at Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett’s return as senior hurling manager.