And they carved out a courageous replay victory with just 13 men, after having two players sent off late in the game, including inspirational captain Ian Fitzgerald, who gave a match-winning performance with a personal tally of 1-3.

Mick O'Dwyer's side showed that they had learned more from the drawn encounter a week earlier, and combined a direct style with a fearless will to win.

Their commitment was perhaps reflected in their cards tally of six yellow and two red to Offaly's single booking, and it was clear throughout that O'Dwyer's legendary motivational skills were working a treat.

Laois, whose 12 scores all came from play, led for all but a handful of seconds of a fast-moving game played in front of a big crowd at O'Connor Park in Tullamore.

And when Offaly did sneak in front briefly early in the second half, their joy was instantly snatched away by second Laois goal, volleyed home by Brian 'Beano' McDonald.

Laois displayed an adventurous spirit in a dominant opening 20 minutes, during which an inspired Fitzgerald hit 1-2 to help them to a 1-4 to 0-2 lead.

The long ball strategy was working a treat, with Fitzgerald slipping in behind the Offaly defence to collect Mick Lawlor's probing delivery and blast to the roof of the net in the ninth minute.

Moments later an identical move sent the rangy centre forward clear again, but this time goalkeeper Kevin Meehan pulled off a blinding save.

Offaly struggled to contain the strong running and support play of O'Dwyer's confident side, and points flew over from the boots of Fitzgerald, Pauric Clancy, Ross Munnelly and Brian McDonald, all from play.

Colm Quinn slotted over two frees at the other end, and it took a full 20 minutes for Offaly to register their first score from play, through 18-year-old Niall McNamee.

Ciaran McManus blasted over a massive point from 55 metres, and the elusive McNamee, playing just his second game for Offaly, brought the sides level.

Midfielder Pauric Clancy edged Laois back in front, but when Offaly started to employ the long ball game, McManus got in for a goal chance, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Aidan Fennelly.

It was 1-5 to 0-7 at the break, but Offaly did manage to snatch the lead through James Grennan, only to be hit by a second Laois goal, McDonald taking a pass from man of the match Munnelly to volley home.

But for the heroics of Offaly defender Cahal Daly, Laois could have overrun their opponents, with Munnelly popping up everywhere.

He added his second point, and there were further scores from Fitzgerald, Noel Garvan and McDonald.

Offaly had to look to corner back Barry Mooney for two scores as they desperately searched for a route back into the game.

But even after defender Paul McDonald earned a straight red card for a high challenge on Quinn, and Fitzgerald followed soon after for a second yellow, Laois stood firm and held out for a richly deserved win.