Laois hurlers claimed the scalp of neighbours Offaly in an entertaining semi-final at Rathdowney yesterday. The home side laid the foundations for victory with an excellent spell midway through the opening half. Rory Hanniffy had scored a goal and a point in five minutes for the visitors; but David Cuddy opened the Laois account with a point on seven minutes and a goal from Seamus Cuddy after 12 minutes had the sides level.

Then in the space of five minutes, two goals from Damian Culleton and another from Seamus Cuddy took Laois to a 3-6 to 1-4 half-time lead. Midway through the second half only two goals separated the sides and despite Offaly's best efforts, they never looked like reaching the final.

LAOIS: J Lyons; P J Peacock, N Lacey, P Mahon; N Rigney, P Cuddy, R Delaney; E Meagher (0-1), C Cuddy; J Phelan, D Cuddy (0-7), J Young; D Culleton (1-3), S Cuddy (2- 0), A Coffey. Subs: F O'Sullivan for Coffey; D Conroy (0-1) for Phelan; P Phelan (0-1) for J Young; D Killeen for Delaney.

OFFALY: S O'Connor; S Whelahan, K Keenaghan, R Devery; J P O'Meara, J Brady, W Comerford; J Guinan, M Cordial; P Molloy (0- 1), L Power, B Murphy (0-2); B Teehan, R Hanniffy (1-2), D Murphy (0-3). Subs: M Hand for B Teehan; M O'Hara (0-2) for Power; T O'Toole for Comerford; K Cummins for Cordial; J Larkin for Devery.

Referee: B Kelly (Co Westmeath)