Shane Dooley the difference as Offaly foil Laois again

Offaly 1-17 Laois 0-15: This was Offaly’s 25th league win over their neighbours, Laois, and it was probably as important as any that came before.

Both of these sides were under pressure, after opening-round losses. Laois were smarting after their shock, home defeat to Kerry. Offaly didn’t make the most of the wind in the opening half and lost a man when midfielder, Joey O’Connor, got a red card for a pull on Ciaran Collier, seven minutes after the restart, so the game was there for the taking for Laois.

But they never looked like taking it, and this was admitted by manager, Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett, with typical frankness.