Laois transcend confusion

O'Byrne Cup/Laois 2-11, Offaly 2-9: With all the focus on the new rule changes everybody seemed to forget this was Mick O'Dwyer's first win in the O'Byrne Cup. In the previous two years, failure in this competition has been a precursor for a productive run come the business end of the football year.

In fairness, keeping tabs on all the changes (sin-binning, the pick-up, kicking tees for goalkeepers and continuity play on the ground) was enough to keep the 2,500 in attendance interested, or at least confused.

"I think the pick up is definitely going to help the game," said O'Dwyer afterwards. "There is no question about that but we'll have to put a bit of thought into the sin-bin. Five minutes maybe will do it.

"First win in the O'Byrne Cup," he mused, "I hope it isn't a bad omen sure, however we'll keep it going. (It was) practically a new team out there."

Yesterday, Laois were without their Portlaoise players, who are preparing for the All-Ireland club semi-final against Crossmaglen Rangers next month, and two key men in Joe Higgins and Brian "Beano" McDonald, both out with long-term injuries.

The young guard gave an indication that they can produce the goods for the early part of 2005 at least.

Thankfully for them, Tom Kelly is still there. He was calmness personified at centre back, while Ross Munnelly seemed comfortable in the role of senior attacker. But their main plus was the performance of Chris Bergin.

Early on, Offaly looked in fine fettle with a Neville Coughlan goal in the fourth minute and a pair of frees from Pascal Kellaghan giving them the lead.

However, three Munnelly points and contributions from Chris Conway, Bergin and Paul Lawlor pulled it back to just two points at the turn, 1-5 to 0-6.

The opening phase of the new half belonged to Bergin. He kicked three long-range points in succession to put Laois in front for the first time.

Before Offaly, under new manager Kevin Kilmurray, could regain their composure Laois had a goal through Noel Garvan. Soon after Garvan became the fifth player to be given a 10-minute stint in the sin-bin and before the finish the midfielder was sent off after a second yellow card.

The sixth yellow of the day arrived soon after - Kellaghan punished for tripping Colm Begley - and within seconds Laois had the contest wrapped up. From the free, the ball was transferred quickly forward to Mark Dunne and his fisted effort came off the bar into the path of Pádraig McMahon who buried the ball to the net.

At 2-10 to 1-6, Offaly looked shell-shocked but a little marker for later in the year was shown by the manner of their response. Ciarán McManus posted three frees and a goal from David Egan ensured the contest was still alive at the finish.

Kellaghan was show a red card for driving on the ball when Gary Kavanagh was trying to scoop it up. Plenty of confusion but plenty of decent football as well.

"That was the first time they played under that rule you know, fellas will be a bit more careful maybe now in future. Late tackles will have to be avoided, which will be better for the game as you will have more fluent football and that won't be any harm," added O'Dwyer.

LAOIS: F Byron; P McMahon (1-0), C Begley, T McDonald; K Kelly (0-1), T Kelly, D Conroy; P Clancy, N Garvan (1-0); R Munnelly (0-3, two frees), C Conway (0-1), C Bergin (0-4, one free); P Lawlor (0-1), S Cooke, M Dunne. Subs: S Kelly (0-1) for Cooke (half-time), G Kavanagh for Munnelly (57 mins), D Miller for Conroy (58 mins), D Brennan for Lawlor (69 mins), J Challoner for Begley (70 mins).

OFFALY: C McNamara; N Grennan, G Rafferty, S Casey; J Keane, B Mooney, K Slattery; C McManus (0-3, three frees), A McNamee; N Coughlan (1-0), J Kenny (0-1), J Quinn (0-1); D Egan (1-0), A Mulhall (0-1), P Kellaghan (0-2, two free). Subs: B Malone (0-1) for Coughlan (half-time), S Ryan for McNamee (43 mins), G O'Grady for Mulhall (58 mins).

Referee: Shane Farrell (Dublin).