Offaly 1-17 Laois 0-15:Walsh Cup: A strong second-half performance enabled Offaly to overcome Laois in an entertaining Walsh Cup quarter-final at St Brendan's Park, Birr, yesterday.

Laois played well for long periods, particularly in the first half, and they led by 0-7 to 1-3 after 19 minutes of play, but their failure to find the net proved costly.

Laois scored three points in the first six minutes before Offaly opened their account. The game's only goal came after 11 minutes when Damian Murray linked up with Neville Coughlan and his shot from 20 metres flew into the net.

Four points in a row helped Laois to regain the lead but Offaly came back well in the closing stages of the half and Murray, Ritchie McRedmond and Dylan Hayden all scored points to leave them 1-8 to 0-10 in front at half-time.

Young equalised on the restart for Laois and after the sides exchanged a brace of points each they were level for the fifth time after 49 minutes.

Rory Hannify, McRedmond, Murray and Hayden all fired over points to put Offaly six points ahead and they maintained their lead until the finish to set-up a semi-final meeting with UCD next weekend.

OFFALY: S O'Connor; F Kealey, G Oakley, D Franks; N Claffey, P Whelan, A Franks; S Weir (0-1), B Teehan; C Gath (0-1), N Coughlan (1-0), R Hannify (0-4); K Kelly, R McRedmond (0-3), D Murray (0-5). Subs: D Hayden (0-3) for Weir. D Carney for Kelly.

LAOIS: K Galvin; L Mahon, P Cuddy, C Cuddy; J Fitzpatrick (0-1), P Drennan, Pat Mahon; J Young (0-3), F Keenan (0-1); J Dunne (0-1), L Tynan (0-3), K Coonan (0-2); D Culleton, D Walsh (0-1), T Fitzgerald (0-2). Subs: J Counan (0-1) for Culleton, D Cuddy for Walsh, J Walsh for Keenan, C Brophy for Dunne, O Dowling for Tynan.

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).