Tailteann Cup Group Two

Laois 3-18 (3-3-12) Offaly 3-16 (3-1-12)

By Alan Hartnett at Cedral St Conleth's Park

A Mark Barry goal from a penalty in the fourth minute of injury time saw Laois defeat Offaly in a midlands Tailteann Cup classic.

The Faithful went into the game knowing a draw would secure top spot in the group, but this defeat means both they and Laois will head for the preliminary quarter finals next week with Wicklow finishing first above them.

This was a topsy-turvy encounter that swung one way and then the other over the course of the 70 minutes - with Laois just about deserving winners.

They played against the wind in the first half, but led by six points after 28 minutes thanks to two excellently taken goals by midfielder Damon Larkin - 2-5 to 0-5.

Offaly rallied in the time that remained and turned the game on its head to take a slender advantage into the dressing rooms.

Keith O’Neill and Shane Tierney were particularly prominent and they hit 1-5 in a blistering seven-minute spell.

Tierney got two points in quick succession, O’Neill hit a two-pointer and Cillian Bourke goaled after a pass from his Tullamore club-mate Daire McDaid. It was an incredible moment for 18-year-old Bourke, who will sit his Leaving Cert next week.

That put Offaly 1-9 to 2-5 ahead and it could have been more. From the next kickout, Offaly created a goal chance again, but a fine Killian Roche save denied Jack Bryant.

Paddy Dunican pointed the resulting ’45 but Laois did stop the rot with a fourth point from play from captain Brian Byrne. At half time, Offaly led 1-10 to 2-6.

Jack Bryant nudged Offaly further ahead early in the second half but Laois had the wind and hit three two-pointers – one each from half-time sub Michael Doran, keeper Killian Roche (free) and a particularly sweet effort from Niall Corbet.

Jordan Hayes and Keith O’Neill points kept Offaly's side of the scoreboard ticking but Laois went 2-13 to 1-13 up when Paddy O’Sullivan got his first point.

This game had many twists to come though as Jordan Heyes scored a brilliant goal to edge Offaly in front, but Damon Larkin and Ronan Coffey (free) put Laois back into the lead again entering the final quarter.

Sub Dylan Hyland tied things again, but once more Laois had a response after scores from Ronan Coffey and Padraig Kirwan.

Then Offaly struck for their third goal, sub Ruairi McNamee getting a brilliant effort after a turnover in the Laois defence.

McNamee added a point, but Paddy O'Sullivan replied before the pair were involved in the match defining moment.

Conor Heffernan and Cathal Lee combined with Lee’s pass to O’Sullivan ending with the Port man upended by McNamee and referee James Molloy instantly awarded a penalty.

Mark Barry scored it and Laois won the next kickout to ensure that there would be no more drama.

In the end, Wicklow finish first, Offaly are second and Laois are third with the sides separated on points difference.

Scorers for Laois: Damon Larkin 2-1, Brian Byrne 0-4, Ronan Coffey 0-3 (2fs), Mark Barry 1-0 (penalty), Niall Corbet 0-2 (2pt), Killian Roche 0-2 (2ptf), Michael Doran 0-2 (2pt), Paddy O’Sullivan 0-2, Padraig Kirwan 0-1, Aaron McEvoy 0-1.

Scorers for Offaly: Keith O’Neill 0-7 (1 2pt, 2fs), Jordan Hayes 1-2, Ruairi McNamee 1-1, Shane Tierney 0-3, Cillian Bourke 1-0, Paddy Dunican 0-1 (’45), Jack Bryant 0-1, Dylan Hyland 0-1.

Laois: Killian Roche; Ben Dempsey, Trevor Collins, Liam Knowles; Paddy O’Sullivan, Seamus Lacey, Aaron McEvoy; Conor Heffernan, Damon Larkin; Padraig Kirwan, Ronan Coffey, Kevin Swayne; Brian Byrne, Mark Barry, Niall Corbet.

Subs: Michael Doran for Lacey (HT), Cathal Lee for Corbet (58), Jake Darcy for McEvoy (63), Josh Hogan for Knowles (74).

Offaly: Paddy Dunican; Lee Pearson, David Dempsey, Daire McDaid; Aidan Bracken, John Furlong, Rory McEvoy; Jack McEvoy, Jordan Hayes; Keith O’Neill, Jack Bryan, Shane Tierney.

Subs: Dylan Hyland for Tierney (56), Rory McNamee for O’Neill (64).

Referee: James Molloy (Galway).