Offaly 4-22 Laois 2-12:WE SHOULD probably start this report with reference to the howling wind that swirled around O'Moore Park yesterday. It was, arguably, more entertaining than the hurling action itself.
Inclement weather duly led to an atrocious advertisement for the Leinster championship. Plenty of scores but little defensive steel - Ger Oakley being a rare exception.
Yet the wind is not alone to blame. We were at this juncture two years ago and little has changed, on the surface at least.
Kilkenny are out next for Offaly. Laois are sacrificial lambs for Galway. And the Munster championship will set the collective pulse racing next weekend.
The new Offaly manager, Joe Dooley, explained the Faithful are on the lower rungs of a rebuilding ladder. This team is full of youthful promise. And yet, Dooley has nothing to explain. Sure, Offaly, stumbled through the league but day one of the championship yielded 4-22 and the defensive frailties became apparent only once the contest was long decided.
That Oakley made his presence felt at centre back was significant - he being the sole survivor from the glory days of 1998. There were other positives, like the unerring accuracy of Brian Carroll, who surpassed his previous championship best of 1-8 by a solid five points.
Dylan Hayden showed up well, taking two early, killer goals at pace and with venom. He claimed the second, the best score of the day, after fine contributions from Ger Healion and Derek Molloy.
For Laois, Noel Costello stood out for the quality of his dead-ball striking and Willie Hyland's 2-3 came with the touch of excellence while all around him floundered.
But to say Offaly looked like contenders would be inaccurate. Lethargy crept in, and their first touch was not on a par with what will come from the elite this summer.
"Just delighted to get the win," said Dooley. "We didn't play well in the second half and conceded two soft goals that we wouldn't get away with against Kilkenny.
"We're rebuilding the team . . . There were five championship debuts out there today and a few more that came in. It's a long road but that was a start.
"There is room for improvement. That wouldn't have done against Kilkenny. We will put this behind us. Regroup at training. Sure, it's a daunting task."
But he didn't sound overly daunted about what lies ahead. And why would Joe Dooley fear Kilkenny or any hurling team for that matter? If only he can instil such belief in this young team.
The Laois manager, Damien Fox - himself of Offaly pedigree - was at a loss to explain why at least 10 frontliners are absent from his panel: "It's not for a want of trying on the county management's part - they are just not interested. I have been hearing it all week if Zane Keenan had been here or there. Zane didn't make himself available to training and when he didn't make himself available he has to be let off the panel."
Pressed further on this lack of interest, Fox said: "I haven't a clue. I don't come from a situation like that in Offaly - I know Offaly were reasonably successful in the '80s - I don't know what it is in Laois. Having been defeated for so long, having been down for so long - maybe that's one reason."
Eventually the Offaly hurling man touched upon a possible long-term solution to Laois's problems.
"I suppose it has to come from the clubs. I don't know what went on in Laois before I took over the job. There seems to be apathy to the senior team but the lads in this team now are very committed.
"Maybe from minor and under-21 level up if they see the senior team is taking it serious they might come into the fold."
For now, it looks grim. If they struggle to contain Offaly imagine what Joe Canning and company are cooking up for them next.
Offaly? There have been too many false dawns this past decade to get carried away. Small steps back from the brink.
LAOIS: 1 P Mullaney; 2 JA Delaney, 3 B Campion, 4 C Dunne; 5 J Fitzpatrick, 6 J Phelan, 7 C Coonan; 8 J Walsh, 9 C Delaney; 10 E Browne, 11 E Holohan, 12 W Hyland (2-3, 2-0 frees); 13 J Brophy, 14 T Fitzgerald, 15 N Costello (0-9, 0-7 frees). Subs: 17 N Holmes for E Holohan (40 mins), 20 J Rowney for E Browne (46 mins), 18 J Dooley for J Brophy (60 mins).
OFFALY: 1 B Mullins; 2 D Franks, 6 D Kenney, 4 M Verney; 7 K Brady (capt), 3 G Oakley, 5 D Horan; 8 J Rigney, 9 C Mahon (1-0); 10 D Hayden (1-1), 14 P Cleary (0-1), 12 D Molloy (1-0); 13 B Carroll (0-16, 0-11 frees, one 65), 11 G Healion (1-0), 15 B Murphy (0-1). Subs: 21 S Dooley (0-2) for B Murphy, 27 S Ryan for C Mahon (both 57 mins), 22 A Egan (0-1) for D Hayden (61 mins), 24 C Hernon for M Verney (62 mins), 29 J Bergin for G Healion (65 mins).
Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary).
