Eoin Reilly has faced both Waterford and Dublin this year and the Laois goalkeeper believes Ger Cunningham’s forwards will provide a stern and fascinating test for the Déise’s much-vaunted defensive abilities.

Eoin Reilly was intent on not getting caught. He’d retrieve his picture from the O’Moore Park turf and slip away from the sprinkling of Laois fans gathered close to goal.

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.

Cork 1-25 Laois 0-24: Cork senior hurling manager Jimmy Barry Murphy expects Mark Ellis and Alan Cadogan to return for the Rebels Allianz League semi-final against Dublin on Sunday week.

Tipperary’s Brendan Cummins claimed a record eighth M Donnelly All-Ireland Poc Fada title at the Annaverna Mountain in Louth yesterday.

Waterford 2-22 Laois 1-15

Waterford had too much pace and power for Laois as they strode through to the next round of qualifiers with a commanding display at Walsh Park.

Laois 0-20 Antrim 0-22

Clare 2-23 Laois 2-19

Laois 2-21 Antrim 0-21

Cork selector Johnny Crowley has revealed how goalkeeper Anthony Nash was affected by the furore surrounding his controversial technique when taking 20 metre frees and penalties.

I won’t bore you too long with this one, but unfortunately it raises its ugly head once more and must be reintroduced to Madame Guillotine, if I can squeeze another drop of juice from that metaphor.

Jimmy Barry-Murphy admits he didn’t see “any great point” to ban Anthony Nash’s penalty-taking technique.

Cork 0-14 Laois 0-07

Ireland 4-12 Scotland 2-12

Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins made history on the Annaverna Mountain in Cooley today as he equalled Ger Cunningham's record of seven All-Ireland Poc Fada titles.

Defending champion Brendan Cummins, who is chasing his seventh All-Ireland Poc Fada title, will have to beat some of hurling's best talents in the final on Annaverna Mountain next month.

Laois manager Seamus Plunkett has named the same team for Saturday's All-Ireland SHC second phase qualifier against Clare in Ennis (throw-in 3pm) as the one which lost to Galway in the Leinster semi-final.

It was like old times in the Portlaoise yesterday, going back to the ’80s when Laois were challenging Offaly, and challenging everyone else too. In those days the only prisoners taken were down the road, in Portlaoise jail.

Laois 1-13 Galway 2-17

Galway 2-17 Laois 1-13

Laois 2-18 Carlow 0-13

Laois 2-18 Carlow 0-13

Laois 3-14 Westmeath 1-09

Laois and Westmeath will contest the Division 2A Allianz Hurling League final, with both taking wins today, while elsewhere Kerry had a slender one-point win over Derry.

This year’s Meath SFC final will be a repeat of the 2006 decider between Navan O’Mahonys and Wolfe Tones following yesterday’s semi-finals at Páirc Tailteann.

New Meath SFC kingpins will be crowned later this month after holders Summerhill lost out to Seneschalstown (2-8 to 0-10) in Saturday’s quarter-final at Skryne.

Limerick 6-21 Laois 1-11

For Saturday's Leinster SHC quarter-final against Dublin, the Laois hurlers are unchanged from the side which beat Carlow a fortnight ago.

There are four Championship debutants selected in the Meath team to face Wicklow in Sunday's Leinster SFC first round clash at Dr Cullen Park (throw-in 3.30pm).

This result was 12 months in the making.

Laois 0-20 Carlow 0-13

Laois 0-19 Wexford 5-12

Twelve months on from revealing he used a synthetic hurley, Ryan O’Dwyer is still playing with the Cúl Tec product and swears by it.

Wexford 4-18 Laois 0-15

Antrim 2-18 Laois 2-16

John Allen secured his first win as Limerick hurling boss in Portlaoise yesterday.

Limerick 1-24 Laois 2-12

Offaly cantered to a comprehensive 12 points victory in this lack lustre Allianz NHL Division 1B opening round encounter at O’Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday as Laois never recovered from the dismissal of Michael McEvoy in the 21st minute.

Offaly 1-27 Laois 0-18

Joe Canning fired Galway into the Walsh Cup final and past a lacklustre Laois in a sodden Duggan Park in Ballinasloe yesterday.

Preparations are underway for the senior and U-21 Hurling/Shinty international matches which are due to take place over the coming weeks.

COUNTY champions Clough Ballacolla remain hot favourites to retain the Laois SHC crown as they booked their place in the quarter-final.

HOLDERS Skryne failed to make it through to the last eight of the Meath SFC despite defeating already qualified Dunboyne by 0-13 to 0-7 at Navan’s Páirc Tailteann on Saturday evening.