An excellent second-half display saw Offaly defeat old rivals Laois against the head in the first round of the Joe McDonagh Cup in Glenisk O'Connor Park on Saturday afternoon.
Bigger shocks may emerge during the hurling season, but Offaly's win here was very much a turn up for the books.
Laois have generally punched at a higher level than the Faithful County in the past decade or so and are just down out of the Leinster Championship while their first half display here suggested that their superiority would continue.
Yet this game was lost by Laois in the first half, not that they could have done a whole lot more, apart from getting a goal or two that would surely have killed the game off.
After the break, Offaly raised their performance levels by several notches, with a swirling wind on their backs, and they got on top in all sectors for extended periods.
Eoghan Cahill's was Offaly's match-winner up front, registering 2-04 from play in a 2-11 haul while the defensive brilliance of Ciaran Burke and Ben Conneely galvanised their side, especially when they were under the cosh in the first half and many of their colleagues had their hands full.
Laois were clearly the better side for much of the first half and their half time lead of 0-14 to 2-06 did not reflect this at all.
Laois forwards were much sharper and more dangerous with the Offaly defence living on their wits.
There was no way it was a two-point game on the balance of play, but Offaly dug deep and goals from Cahill and Joey Keenaghan kept them alive.
The first was a good finish by Cahill in the ninth minute after a good David Nally ball a across and it left Offaly trailing by 0-5 to 1-1.
Aaron Dunphy, Stephen Maher and Aidan Corby were all outstanding in the Laois attack in the first half and they went 0-9 to 1-1 ahead before Offaly rallied again.
Keenaghan's 23rd minute goal brought it back to a point, 0-10 to 2-3.
Laois pushed three clear before a Cahill free left two in it at the break and Offaly were very glad to be in that position.
It quickly became evident in the second half that Offaly could win this game and Laois were in for a backs-to-the-wall endeavour.
Offaly were back on level terms, 2-9 to 0-15 by the 38th minute and Brian Duignan's point put them ahead for the first time, 2-11 to 0-16 three minutes later.
Offaly were three clear, 2-14 to 0-17 after 47 minutes, but Laois fought with every inch of their fibre. They levelled it up with the next three points, the equaliser coming from Aaron Dunphy.
Offaly then found another gear and went back in front by three before Patrick Purcell got in for a 60th minute equalising goal after sloppy defending by the home side.
Offaly's response was emphatic and really won the day for them as Cillian Kiely, outstanding in the second half after a mixed first half, raced through the centre and passed to Cahill who fired low into the net in the 63rd minute.
Laois got the gap back to two twice in the closing minutes, but couldn't get any closer as Offaly held on for the win that could really make their campaign.
Offaly: Stephen Corcoran; Ben Conneely, Ciaran Burke, David King; James Nally, Jason Sampson, Killian Sampson (0-1); Cillian Kiely (0-3), Joey Keenaghan (1-0); David Nally, Jack Clancy, Adrian Cleary (0-1); Charlie Mitchell (0-1), Brian Duignan (0-1), Eoghan Cahill (2-11, 6f and 1 '65').
Subs: Jack Screeney for James Nally (32), Paddy Clancy (0-1) for Keenaghan (54), Cathal Kiely for Duignan (65).
Laois: Enda Rowland (0-1, f); Fiachra C. Fennell, Padraig Delaney, Donnchadh Hartnett; Ryan Mullaney, Ian Shanahan, Liam O'Connell; Patrick Purcell (1-0), Jack Kelly (0-1); Aaron Dunphy (0-4), Stephen Maher (0-12, 5f and 2 '65's), Aidan Corby (0-3); Martin Phelan, James Keyes, Stephen Bergin (0-1).
Subs: Tomas Keyes for Bergin (40), Ross King for Kelly (44), James Duggan for Phelan (57), Liam Senior for Corby (71).
Referee: Kevin Jordan (Tipperary).
