A second half goal from Kevin Swayne turned the Tailteann Cup semi-final on its head as Laois came from three down early on in the second half to win by five.
Having gone into the break leading by 1-6 to 0-7, Laois struggled after the break but Swayne's goal gave them renewed belief after they had gone sixteen minutes without scoring.
It came after 'the most dangerous ball in football, the mis-hit shot,' as called by Offaly footballer in the RTÉ Nigel Dunne commentary box. Eoin Buggie's shot dropped short and Swayne reacted quickest to punch it into the net.
Goalkeeper Killian Roche followed it up inspirational point from play as Laois kicked for home.
Kevin Swayne gets Laois a SECOND GOAL ✌️@CLGLaois #GAANOW pic.twitter.com/tUefwD5gth
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A second goal from centre back Brian Byrne finished the job for Laois and despite Evan O'Carroll getting black carded late on, Justin McNulty's team surged clear to win by 3-12 to 1-13.
Antrim got off to the better start in the game, racing into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead with forward Paddy McBride on fire in the early stages.
Andy McEntee's side looked to have a better method than their opponents, both in defence and attack for much of the first half but they were hit with a sucker punch of a goal just before the break.
It was Laois centre back Brian Byrne who capitalised on a couple of ricochets in the defence as he fired into the Antrim net, sending them into the break leading by 1-6 to 0-7.
A bit of fortune for Laois but Brian Byrne makes no mistake to put them ahead for the first time
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But Antrim started the brighter in the second half, scoring 1-3 without reply as Laois went sixteen minutes without registering.
But from three points down, Laois hung in there and a punched goal from Kevin Swayne put them in the driving seat once more after a mis-hit shot from Eoin Buggie.
Then Roche stepped up with a sensational point from play off the left foot before Byrne sealed the deal with an empathic finish.
23 June 2024; Kevin Swayne of Laois celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Tailteann Cup semi-final match between Antrim and Laois at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Both Kevin Feely and Cian Mackey were in agreement afterwards that Laois were fully deserving of their win.
"Laois have found consistency with their team selection and with their style of play and they were fully deserving winners today," said Kevin Feely on The Sunday Game afterwards.
"They had a blip in Leinster after winning the League. They have themselves now in a really good position to get themselves back into the Sam Maguire," added Cian Mackey.
