Offaly provided the perfect response to their critics against Laois last night according to manager Brian Whelahan.

After watching his players dig out a 1-24 to 0-23 opening league victory against their next door neighbours, Whelahan told Midlands 103 Sport: "I'm delighted to come away with a win.

"All the talk was about Laois being on the up, and they are, but we knew the work we have done for the past three and a half months, we've put in a supreme effort and I'm just do delighted for the lads that it showed out there tonight.

"I think the boys fully deserved their win. It's always a close game between ourselves and Laois. Tonight was our night and it's great for everyone in the camp.

"We've seven days now to prepare for Wexford and we're going to welcome them to Offaly and we're looking for another performance there."

He continued: "Everyone has been knocking this Offaly team and maybe management as well. The work-rate this year that has gone in has been fantastic. We've lads out there that want to hurl for Offaly.

"We believe there are a lot of good hurlers in our squad and I think we answered a lot of our critics tonight.

"Everyone had Laois favourites, Offaly came tonight and, in fairness to them, battled out a very good win. That's going to bring those boys on a bunch because when you've been knocked for so long you start to question yourself a little bit.

"Tonight I think all the work-rate paid off and we're delighted with that."

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