Willie Maher's men looked out of the contest midway through only to come roaring back.
On a day when Laois produced a performance when it mattered most, and when the sun drenched O'Moore Park, the county's hurlers have reconnected with their fans.
That's the perspective of Willie Maher after he watched his side come back from eight points down to run out 2-21 to 0-24 winners in Portlaoise.
It's a reverse of the outcome from the same meeting in Championship action last year, when Offaly won that first round and went on to make the Joe McDonagh Cup final.
Maher tells Midlands 103's Jack Nolan his players earned the victory:
Elsewhere in the Joe McDonagh Cup,
Westmeath were beaten by Kerry in Mullingar.
The shock result looked on the cards from early on with Kerry taking a four point lead.
The gap was three at the break but Kerry saw out an impressive performance to win by 6, 1-20 to 1-14.
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If you're thinking of buying or selling a property in Laois, Offaly or Westmeath, then get in touch with your local auctioneer John Leahy.
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