Dunphy’s double gives Laois bragging rights

EDDIE BRENNAN’S Laois side beat neighbours Offaly in this Allianz League Division 1B clash, as the hosts won the points in Portlaoise.

Offaly had a torrid time in the Walsh Cup while Laois’s only previous win under Brennan was away to the Faithful in that competition.

Conditions at O’Moore Park were excellent and the visitors led by the odd point in seven after 13 minutes. Joe Bergin had opened their account from play after two minutes.

After that Laois totally controlled the remainder of the half, Willie Dunphy smashed home two goals inside four minutes and sharp shooting Mark Kavanagh landed six points from play. Points by Paddy Murphy and Kevin Connolly left the half time score 2-13 to 0-6 in Laois’ favour.

Offaly faced a huge task in the second half and the introduction of Shane Dooley helped improve matters, and a Conor Gath goal midway through allowed them to narrow the gap but Stephen Maher’s goal pushed the home team further in front and by the time a Joe Bergin free went all the way to the net the game was deep in injury time. It gets no easier for Offaly as they welcome Galway next.