Kilkenny made the most of a strong wind to earn a comprehensive victory in Portlaoise on Saturday.
The Laois under 20 hurlers will have to extract a result from their trip to Wexford this weekend if they're to progress straight to a provincial championship quarter final.
Kilkenny were ultimately clear winners over the O'Moore County in stormy conditions Portlaoise on Saturday.
Laois got off to the perfect start, leading by 1-5 to 0-0 after just ten minutes.
The goal came courtesy of Cormac Byrne of Abbeyleix.
That lead was reduced to just one point by half time before Kilkenny took over when playing with a strong wind in the second half.
The final score in O'Moore Park was 6-14 to 1-13.
Laois' top scorer was Camross' Ben Deegan who pointed eight frees in the game.
The winner of Saturday's meeting between Laois and Wexford will determine who goes in to a quarter-final and to a pre-liminary quarter-final.
Alex Dunne Boosts F2 Title Hopes With Azerbaijan Feature Race Victory
Anna McGann Named To Start For Ireland Against Japan
Ronan Deegan Set To Make Cage Warriors Debut
Laois SFC: Four Teams Battling To Reach Final
Ireland Prepare For Nations League Clash Against Israel Amid Controversy
Westmeath SFC: Four Teams Aiming To Reach Decider
Athlone Town Pursuing Back To Back Women's FAI Cup Wins
Alex Dunne Secures Pole For Formula 2 Feature Race In Azerbaijan
Athlone Town Continue Push For Play-Off Spot
Offaly SFC: Four Teams Battle It Out For Final Place
Semi-Final Weekend In Offaly Senior Camogie Championship
Offaly Boxer Competing For Irish Super Bantamweight Title This Weekend
Almost €200k Raised For Offaly Teen Injured In Serious Road Crash
Laois SHC: The Harps Book First Semi-Final In 14 Years
Cliodhna O'Connor Named Westmeath Ladies Football Manager
Offaly SHC: Belmont Relishing Semi-Final Encounter
Westmeath SHC: Raharney To Turn Focus To Upcoming Semi-Final
Offaly Pick Up Two All Star Hurling Nominations
I Want To Play Football Again - Lily Agg
Laois SHC: Rosenallis Make First Semi-Final In Six Years