Roscommon may have left it late when scoring a point through centre back Francie Grehan right on the blow of full-time in yesterday's drawn game against Offaly in Tullamore. However, overall a division of the points was a reasonable and fitting outcome to an entertaining game. On a pitch which cut-up badly, passes on both sides tended to go astray but generally the players succeeded in overcoming the difficult conditions.

Offaly suffered a big pre-match blow when their influential midfielder Ciaran McManus was forced to cry off with an injury sustained midweek in the Sigerson Cup. However, Roscommon also had their problems, with Fergal O'Donnell and Martin Rafferty both dropping out of their selected side and being replaced by Seamus O'Neill and Ian Daly, respectively. The vacancy at left half forward was filled by drafting in Eddie Lohan. Offaly were the pacemakers for most of the 70 minutes. Goals by Donie Ryan in the 12th minute and Pascal Kelleghan just six minutes before the break gave them an interval lead of 2-5 to 1-6. Roscommon, whose forwards failed to score from play in that opening half had their goal from the penalty spot by Gerry Lohan right on the 35th minute.

Offaly enjoyed more of the play on the change of ends, but the Roscommon defence soaked up a lot of pressure and it was the visitors who finished the stronger side, scoring four points in the closing 12 minutes to share the spoils and remain a point above Offaly in the league table.

Roscommon may have erred in taking off place-kicker Eddie Lohan midway through the second half, for his kicking had been very accurate and following his departure a couple of frees went astray.

OFFALY: P Kelly; C Daly, G Rafferty, J Brady; N Coughlan, B Malone, K SLattery; K Claffey (0-3) A McNamee (0-1); R Malone, M Keenaghan, P Kellaghan (1-0); D Ryan (1-1), S Grennan, V Claffey (0-2). Subs: B Mooney (0-1) for R Malone; B Malone for Coughlan; G Comerford for Ryan.

ROSCOMMON: S Curran; D Gavin, J White, I Daly; P Noone, F Grehan (0-1), C McDonald (0- 2); S O'Neill, P Mahon (0-1); C Connolly, J Hanly, E Lohan (0-4); A Nolan, S Lohan (0-1), G Lohan (1-2). Subs: N Dineen for Nolan; B Bourke for Gavin; G Cox for E Lohan; D Kelly for Connolly.

Referee: B Crowe (Cavan).