Offaly1-9 Meath1-8:AFTER CONCEDING a lead of five points in the opening quarter, Offaly finished the stronger to outscore the hosts by 0-2 to 0-1 in the five minutes added on at the end of this quarter-final at Navan's Páirc Táilteann on Saturday. Conor Devereaux shot Meath's goal on 10 minutes but with Noel Andrew Graham an inspiring figure, the deficit was reduced as the home side held 1-4 to 0-3 at the break.

Offaly had the better of the third quarter, with a goal from substitute Barry Cushin giving them a 1-5 to 1-4 lead. The sides were level three times and a pointed free by Shane Barry appeared to have sealed the win for Meath before late scores from Graham and Stephen Hannon sent the Offaly contingent away happy.

OFFALY:M Carragher; C Lowry, D Hanlon, C Donohoe; J O'Connor, D Hogan, S Hannon (0-1); NA Graham (0-4, two frees), J Brickland; S Cullen (0-1), D Kelly (0-2), P Cunningham; P McPadden (0-1), P Camon, E McCabe. Subs:B Cushen (1-0) for McCabe (16 mins), J Flattery for Cunningham (46 mins).

MEATH:C McHugh; A Doyle, C McGill, A Forde; F Toolan, E Lynch, P Haslam; F McManus (0-1), C Sheridan; P Fox, D Queeney (0-1, free), S Barry (0-3, two frees); D Devereaux (1-1), D Landy, L Tolan (0-1). Subs:C O'Brien for Queeney (33 mins), S Mattimoe for Cunningham, B O'Brien (0-1) for Landy (both 50 mins), C McConnell for Fox, B McMahon for Tolan (both 55 mins).

Referee:F Kelly (Longford).