LAOIS...2-13 OFFALY...2-12: A point in the sixth minute of injury time gave Laois a dramatic victory over Offaly at St Brendan's Park, Birr, yesterday and sent the home side down to Division Two of the hurling league next season.

Offaly looked like they would save themselves from the relegation trapdoor when they opened up a 2-11 to 1-8 lead after 53 minutes.

Just after that, however, a major row broke out involving up to 20 players.

When calm was eventually restored, a player from each side, David Cuddy of Laois and Barry Whelahan of Offaly, was red-carded. The stoppage halted Offaly's momentum and Laois came much more into the game after that.

Four points in succession cut the gap to two points with five minutes left.

A Dylan Hayden point two minutes into injury time looked like it would secure victory for Offaly but Laois hit back and in the fifth minute of injury time Liam Tynan sent the ball into the Offaly goalmouth and Damien Culleton finished it to the net.

Offaly missed a chance of regaining the lead and Laois broke downfield for Liam Tynan to send over a point, which put them in front for the first time.

Offaly had begun the game well and two goals from Damien Murray, in the ninth and 21st minutes, gave them a 2-3 to 0-3 lead.

Laois came back and Culleton's 33rd-minute goal cut the lead to the minimum at half-time, 2-4 to 1-6.

Laois equalised on the resumption but Offaly then shot seven points - with just one in reply from Laois - to go six clear.

It was then, however, the row erupted, changing the complexion of the game, with Laois finishing the stronger.

LAOIS: K Galvin; C Cuddy, Patrick Cuddy, M McEvoy; R Conroy, Paul Cuddy, D Rooney; D Cuddy, E Meagher (0-1); R Jones, J Young (0-7), E Jackman (0-1); C Brophy, L Tynan (0-2), D Culleton (2-0). Subs: C Coonan for Jones; J Fitzpatrick for C Cuddy; F Keenan (0-1) for Jackman; E Browne (0-1) for Brophy.

OFFALY: B Mullins; M O'Hara, G Oakley, B Buckley; N Claffey, Brian Whelahan, K Brady; M Cordial (0-1), Barry Whelahan (0-1); C Gath, N Coughlan (0-1), G Hanniffy (0-2); S Whelahan (0-1), J Brady (0-1), D Murray (2-3). Subs: D Hayden (0-2) for Gath; A McRedmond for K Brady.

Referee: S McMahon (Clare).