Offaly, who included five senior panellists, qualified for the Leinster under-21 hurling final for the second year in succession when they easily beat Laois in Tullamore last night.

Offaly had raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead by the sixth minute and with their half forward line of Brendan Murphy, Conor Gath, and Damien Murray scoring prolifically they went on to lead at half-time by 0-11 to 0-2.

The goals came in the closing seconds of the game with Laois' only scorer James Young blasting a 20 metres free to the Offaly net and Gath replying instantly with a shot from close range.

Laois had four players booked in the second half and finished with 14 players after their captain Damian Keenan was shown the red card for a second bookable offence in the last minute.

Offaly: J Ryan; D Moran, M O'Hara, W Comerford; E McGuinness, J P O'Meara, D Franks; D Tanner (0-1), A Hanrahan (0-1); B Murphy (0- 3), C Gath (1-6), D Murray (0-4); R McRedmond, P Molloy (0-1), G O'Connor (0-1). Sub: N Mannion for McRedmond, P Carroll for O'Connor, P Teehan for Tanner, S Horan for McGuinness, J McLoughney for Franks.

Laois: D Browne; E Browne; L Mahon, M Bowe; R Delaney, D Walsh, O Bergin; D Keenan, L McGrath; R Jones, J Young (1-5), J Phelan; P Kavanagh, M Dunphy, T Russell. Subs: S Conroy for Kavanagh, J Palmer for Russell, M Kirwan for McGrath.

Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath).