Laois pilfer win from Offaly

Laois 1-10 Offaly 1-8

Another exhibition of poor marksmanship from the Faithful left them vulnerable to a late rally from the 2003 champions and they suffered the consequences.

Laois had struggled for the greater part of the first half in particular, when a wind disadvantage emphasised their loss of form in the face of a confident Offaly display undermined only by poor shooting. And, as the game neared its conclusion it seemed that the best they could hope for was a draw after showing commendable determination in the last quarter.

They did better than that, but it needed an Offaly defensive mistake and the opportunism of Munnelly to turn the game on its head. And late substitute Brian 'Beano' McDonald making his comeback after that horrific injury in the qualifier competition last year even managed to play a part in the decisive score.

Having accumulated 17 wides in their win over Louth in the first round, Offaly experienced similar problems in finishing from an early stage. To be fair, not many of them were the result of wild shooting the swirling winds affected both sides. But, the net effect was that the grip they began to exert wasn't reflected on the scoreboard.

Their opening score was a goal from centre-forward Mark Daly, one of several members of the Offaly side who turned in impressive performances. That came in the 10th minute and, indicative of Laois difficulties, a point from midfielder Padraic Clancy three minutes later proved to be their only score of the half until Munnelly kicked over a free just before the interval.

Laois operated with just Donie Brennan and team captain Kevin Fitzpatrick in the full-forward line and while the pair were on the ball a good deal, they had little to show for their efforts. Munnelly was very prominent in the early stages at half-forward, but found it difficult to penetrate once Karol Slattery settled.

Inside, the experienced Cathal Daly kept a tight rein on Brennan.

The midfield exchanges were inconclusive with all four players enjoying periods of dominance, but Ciaran McManus, typically, was involved in a lot of Offaly moves. From a Laois perspective, buccaneering centre-back Tom Kelly was unable to limit the strong influence of Daly and dual player Darren Rooney was regularly in trouble at full-back against Pascal Kellaghan, who provided invaluable support for the other forwards.

After 21 minutes play Offaly led 1-3 to 0-1 but, after kicking seven of nine first-half wides (and 19 overall), their lead didn't reflect their general advantage in play. However, there was the promise of improved play after Colm Quinn and Niall McNamee had kicked two great scores from the left wing which represented a vast improvement on earlier efforts from the attack as a whole.

Laois had very little to be cheerful about, but they might have had a goal in the 27th minute when Gary Kavanagh prevented a ball from going wide, but Offaly's outstanding full-back Conor Evans got to it ahead of Ian Fitzgerald, now at full-forward, having made no headway outside. Immediately afterwards Evans made another important clearance when a cross from Joe Higgins (running on to a quick sideline ball from Munnelly) was blocked by 'keeper Padraic Kelly.

Shortly before the break when Offaly led 1-5 to 0-2, Laois introduced former Kerry player Billy Sheehan at left half-forward. He was to make an important contribution in the second half.

In the opening 11 minutes, Laois kicked over four points (with just one in reply) and it was clear from the reaction around the ground that Laois supporters sensed that a recovery was imminent. However, the roar threatened to die in their throats as Laois went 11 minutes without a score, three times kicking the ball into the goalkeeper's hands.

However, their backs were working much more effectively as a unit, further reducing the threat from Offaly's forwards as they continued to waste good scoring opportunities.

With 15 minutes to go, Offaly enjoyed a five-point lead but, crucially, they weren't to score again. Billy Sheehan was doing a lot of good work on the left flank of the Laois attack, Munnelly was again prominent and Offaly saw McManus add another wide from a '45 carelessly conceded by Clancy.

Laois' momentum brought them to within a point in the last minute when Chris Conway pointed a free won by wing-back Padraig McMahon. When the ball went upfield, Darren Rooney was penalised for over-carrying, but inexplicably Joe McNamee missed the free.

In another minute the game had been won and lost. McDonald and fellow substitute Stephen Kelly were party to a move which saw a dropping ball initially won by an Offaly defender only to lose it when challenged. Munnelly was close at hand and he wasn't going to miss. Game, set and match to Laois. And the wily O'Dwyer.

Michael Collins' overall standard was well up to his best, except that his willingness to allow play flow resulted in a few obvious fouls going unpunished.

Scorers for Laois: R. Munnelly 1-4 (0-1 free); C. Conway 0-2 (0-1 free); P. Clancy, N. Garvan, D. Brennan and K. Fitzpatrick 0-1 each.

Offaly: M. Daly 1-1; N. Coughlan 0-2; J. Coughlan, C. Quinn, N. McNamee, P. Kellaghan and J. Reynolds 0-1 each.

LAOIS: F. Byron; A. Fennelly, D. Rooney, J. Higgins; C. Begley, T. Kelly, P. McMahon; P. Clancy, N. Garvan; R. Munnelly, I. Fitzgerald, G. Kavanagh; D. Brennan, K. Fitzpatrick (capt.), C. Conway.

Subs: B. Sheehan for Kavanagh (32nd minute); S. Kelly for Fitzgerald (second half); B. McDonald for Brennan (68th).

OFFALY: P. Kelly; C. Daly, C. Evans, S. Brady; B. Mooney (capt.), S. Sullivan, K. Slattery; C. McManus, A. McNamee; C. Quinn, M. Daly, N. Coughlan; J. Coughlan, P. Kellaghan, N. McNamee.

Subs: J. Reynolds for J. Coughlan (42nd minute); J. Kenny for Kellaghan (63rd); J. Grennan for Quinn (69th).

Referee: M. Collins (Cork).

Attendance 35,425.