Joe Dooley’s charges were in stunning form at O'Connor Park, but only managed to shake off Laois approaching the half-time break.

The sides were level on seven occasions before Cathal Parlon's 29th-minute goal saw the hosts break into a three-point advantage for the first time, from which they never looked back.

Shane Dooley was the chief marksman and opened Offaly’s account after four minutes, with the Tullamore full-forward bagging 2-7 over the 70 minutes.

It was a battle of the free-takers in the opening half hour, with Dooley’s efforts cancelled out by James Young scores. Brian Carroll

(0-2) was also on target for Offaly in the opening stages.

Laois were dealt a major blow after defender Michael McEvoy was yellow carded after just 12 minutes. He picked up his third yellow card in the space of five games, after retaliating following a foul by Parlon.

The sides were level for the sixth time after 24 minutes, following Young’s fourth point before the first goal chance fell to Parlon, but his shot blazed wide of the target.

Dooley and Young traded points before Parlon combined with Derek Molloy to finish the ball to the net.

Offaly were certainly in a goal-scoring mood and they added a second major before the break.

Shane Dooley finished a move which involved Cathal Horan and Parlon, as the hosts took a 2-9 to 0-8 interval lead.

Dooley’s men failed to ease up on the restart with their third goal coming 16 seconds after the break from Parlon, and although both sides missed a lot of scorable chances in the closing 35 minutes - Offaly continued to keep on top with Dooley claiming their fourth goal with five minutes of normal time remaining.

Laois failed to give up and finished strongly with a 74th minute goal from Tommy Fitzgerald putting a gloss on the final score-line as the visitors brought their tally to 1-10, but it was a case of too little, too late as Offaly were comfortable winners.