Laois through after dramatic comeback

Offaly 3-8 Laois 2-12

Laois will contest next Sunday's O'Byrne Cup final with Dublin after they scored a dramatic win over Offaly in Tullamore.

Paul Lawlor landed a controversial 70th-minute free to send the midlanders through.

Despite playing into the wind, Offaly raced out of the blocks to lead 2-5 to 0-8 at the break. Rory Connor (2 minutes) and Ciarán McManus (13) both netted.

The Faithful at one stage led by seven points but points from Barry Brennan, Colm Parkinson and Lawlor (0-2) late in the first half, closed up the gap for Liam Kearns' men.

A Parkinson goal levelled up the game early in the second half at 2-6 to 1-9.

A goal from Scott Brady, followed by a Niall McNamee point, soon raised the hosts' hopes, but an excellent penalty from Ross Munnelly and Lawlor's late strike saw Laois triumph.

Man of the match Lawlor finished with a personal haul of 0-7.