Offaly learn little as Laois forced to battle with 14 men

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.

Laois were incensed when centre-forward McEvoy picked up a second yellow card following a frontal challenge on James Rigney.

Ironically, it was also Rigney that was on the receiving end when McEvoy picked up his first yellow in the 11th minute and Teddy McCarthy’s side were torn asunder in the remaining first half minutes by a rampant Offaly, for whom Brendan Murphy, Joe Bergin, Shane Dooley and Sean Ryan amassed 19 points between them.