Delighted O'Dwyer plays to the crowd

The band of national and local journalists congregated in the tunnel under the O'Moore Park stand but pandemonium reigned as they were joined by around 50 locals draped in the Laois colours. All types and all ages.

Not much activity, except for a sporting visit from Offaly county board chairman Ollie Daly to congratulate the victorious. When Mick O'Dwyer finally appeared the throng squeezed tightly around him.

Don't expect any in-depth analysis of what just transpired. Don't read on for an explanation about why Laois continue to employ an outdated running game that will see them wiped from the championship roster unless they evolve.

Dublin slaughtered them.

Tyrone came down to Portlaoise without several leading players. Three-point game.

Meath are a county in transition. Ross Munnelly's class got them out of jail.

Now Offaly, who completely folded yesterday, only registered a single point after the break despite a strong wind at their backs.

And still it took a well worked goal from Pádraig Clancy - Tom Kelly and Munnelly take a bow - to pull them clear.

Clancy's value cannot be overstated. His introduction on 19 minutes helped turn the tide. His old partner Noel Garvan was sacrificed as Brendan Quigley gradually grows into a decent county player.

O'Dwyer's most interesting comment was about how Laois preferred a breeze in their faces.

"The day we played Tyrone we played very well against the breeze in the second half and we did the same thing today. It's amazing, but there is great fire and great spirit in that team, but we are only in the quarter-final of the championship.

"We are not running away with ourselves by any means. That was a good win today and we played good football there in the second half. We're quite happy with that.

"We had three goal chances in the first half and just didn't put them away but they will come another day. You are going to have misses on given days but when it mattered most we got them in the second half.

"I'd say the majority of people thought Offaly were going to win it and they looked like they were going to do that but that's part and parcel of this game of football. Anything can happen."

What did Micko say to his players at half-time?

"I said nothing. Just got them to sit down and had a good look at them. That's all. No more. (laughing)."

The charade continued.

Pleased to keep Offaly to a single point in the second half?

"Is that right? I thought we might keep them scoreless (laughter all round from the people draped in blue)."

What about Mayo?

"We won't think about them for another week."

More cheering as O'Dwyer exits stage left.

Mayo's Ulster management team of Mickey Moran and John Morrison will have noted Laois's continued propensity to employ an overcomplicated version of handball. When sterner opposition take their scoring opportunities and maintain a defensive discipline for 70 minutes, Laois will have to kick the ball.

Kevin Kilmurray identified the Clancy goal as the mortal wound, especially considering it came seconds after Offaly ended a half-hour scoring drought.

In reality, this dour fourth-round tie looked to be Laois's to lose once Offaly finally emerged from an extended half-time break. Whatever they discussed was not put into practice out on the pitch.

"Sometimes you just can't dig a score out of anywhere," admitted Kilmurray.

"I'm not going to criticise the lads over that. It was an awkward day for football. I mean Laois had some terrible wides in the first half and we did the same in the second half."

A year of progress?

"I don't know. Offaly would expect more than what we've done. I did expect more than what we've done. But I'll think about that over the next few weeks or months."

Kilmurray may yet return.