Lower Tier Hurling round-up: Paddy Purcell piles the pressure on Offaly and Westmeath

Elsewhere Down also put themselves right in the mix with an impressive 3-24 to 0-25 win over Meath in Ballycran.

PADDY POWER: Robbie Greville of Westmeath in action against Paddy Purcell of Laois during the Joe McDonagh Cup Final match between Laois and Westmeath at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

Kerry’s outstanding result in Mullingar may have been the one that blew the Joe McDonagh Cup wide open, but Paddy Purcell’s late goal in Portlaoise could yet be every bit as consequential.

Purcell's strike puts any amount of pressure on both Offaly and Westmeath in advance of what looks like a hugely important showdown in Tullamore next Saturday.