Offaly 1-27 Laois 0-18:OLLIE BAKER had plenty to smile about after watching his Offaly side record a very comfortable win over Laois at O'Connor Park. Offaly played some very fine hurling but the dismissal of centre half forward Michael McEvoy after 21 minutes for a second yellow card seemed to knock the life out of Laois.

At that stage Offaly were leading 1-6 to 0-6 thanks to James Mulrooney’s goal in the eight minute. With Joe Bergin in great form and Brendan Murphy displaying real accuracy, they ruthlessly punished Laois and went on to lead 1-15 to 0-7 at the break.

However Laois, with Brian Dunne and Willie Hyland impressive, were only outscored by a point, 0-12 to 0-11, after the break.

OFFALY: J Dempsey; M Verney, D Kenny, S Wynne; D Morkan (0-1), R Hanniffy (0-1), D Horan; J Rigney, C Mahon (0-1); J Mulrooney (1-1), D Molloy (0-1), B Murphy (0-5); S Ryan (0-3), J Bergin (0-4), S Dooley (0-7, three frees). Subs: C Egan (0-1) for Mahon (44 mins), T Carroll (0-2) for Mulrooney (54 mins), D Franks for Verney (54 mins), D Mooney for Molloy (65 mins), B Harding for Murphy (68 mins).

LAOIS: E Reilly; B Stapleton, D Maher, B Smith; J Fitzpatrick (0-2), M Whelan, C Dunne; J Walsh, B Dunne (0-4); D Peacock, M McEvoy, W Hyland (0-8, four frees); J Brophy (0-2), T Fitzgerald (0-2), W Dunphy. Subs: N Foyle for W Dunphy (ht), S Bourke for Walsh, C Murray for Peacock (both 39 mins), P Mullaney for Smith (61 mins).

Referee: J Owens (Wexford).