Offaly 2-13 Meath 1-14:OFFALY HAD to dig very deep before recording a surprisingly difficult win over Meath in Tullamore on Saturday night.

It was an incredibly brave performance by Meath and they were within a score of pulling off a sensational win.

A Cillian Kiely goal helped Offaly into a half-time lead of 1-8 to 0-9. A Kevin Dunne goal seven minutes from time put Offaly into a six-point lead but Meath showed real character to haul themselves back into it. Points from Jack Regan kept them in the hunt and a late goal from Dylan Keenan helped cut the deficit to two points but a relieved Offaly held on.

OFFALY: C Clancy; D Murphy, A Browne, R Kelly; E Nolan (0-1), C Doughan, E Pilkington; S O’Connor (0-1), C Mahon; G Crowe (0-1), K Dunne (1-0), K Bergin (0-1); A Spain (0-1), C Kiely (1-3, one free), D Murray (0-5, four frees). Subs: A Connolly for C Mahon (25 mins), B Connors for G Crowe (50 mins), J Nally for S O’Connor (50 mins), P Rigney for R Kelly (59 mins).

MEATH: C Bird; S Benville, S Whitty, L Ferguson; C Darby, D Kelly (0-1), S Doyle; S Kelly (0-1), L Rickard; D Reilly, V Moore (0-1), J Regan (0-10, eight frees); J Fagan, G McGowan, K Ryan. Subs: D Keenan (1-1) for K Ryan (43 mins), S Lenihan for S Doyle (46 mins), J Wall for J Fagan (50 mins), C Reilly for D Kelly (50 mins), G Ryan for G McGowan (60 mins).

Referee; K Brady (Louth).