McNamee the Offaly ace

Offaly 1-11 Laois 1-8

Although he drilled a dubiously awarded 41st minute penalty wide, McNamee, who racked up 0-8, was magnificent for Emmett McDonnell’s side.

Three McNamee points, coupled with scores by Matthew Mitchell and David Hanlon helped Offaly open up a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after 18 minutes.

Justin McNulty’s Laois levelled proceedings shortly after as David Murphy goaled and Paul Begley pointed from distance.

Offaly regained the initiative with McNamee pointing twice and sub Paul McPadden netted giving the hosts a 1-7 to 1-3 interval cushion. McNamee (3) and McPadden added further points after the interval.

MJ Tierney (4) and Ross Munnelly accounted for Laois’s five second half scores.

OFFALY: A Mulhall; B Darby, P McConway, S Pender; D Hanlon (0-1), D Kelly, G Guilfoyle; A McNamee, R Dalton; R Brady, B Connor, E Carroll; M Mitchell (0-1), N McNamee (0-8, 0-2 frees), A Sullivan.

Subs: P McPadden (1-1) for Sullivan (12), Sullivan for A McNamee (43), S Guing for Mitchell (55).

LAOIS: E Culliton; D Booth, K Meaney, P Begley (0-1); J Kavanagh, R Kehoe, P McMahon; R Bracken, B Quigley; C Meredith, J Finn, D Murphy (1-0); MJ Tierney (0-6, 0-4 frees & 0-1 ‘45), C Kelly, A Doran.

Subs: D O’Connor for Bracken (20), M Timmons for Quigley (h-t), E Malone for Kelly (h-t), R Munnelly (0-1 free) for Finn (46), S Julian for Kavanagh (53).

Referee: B O’Shea, Dublin.