Offaly saw off Meath at Navan yesterday, but the hosts were a lot closer to their more illustrious opponents at the final whistle than many had predicted.
Thoughts of a repeat of six years ago when Meath gained a surprise league victory over the midlanders were firmly dashed when the visitors scored five successive points in seven-minute spell in the second half.
Johnny Dooley scored three of them, a third of his nine-point haul, with a brace of frees and a 65, while Gary Hanniffy pitched in with two superb efforts from play.
It was the perfect riposte to the home side's 49th-minute levelling goal which was dispatched to the net by Kevin Dowd, brother of inter-county footballer Tommy, after goalkeeper Stephen Byrne had saved a Nicky Horan penalty which was awarded for a foul on Pat Potterton.
A Johnny Pilkington goal in first-half injury-time had given Offaly a somewhat fortunate 1-8 to 0-9 half-time lead.
Pilkington exchanged passes with full forward John Troy whose fierce shot was spilled by Meath goalkeeper Mark Gannon to the in-rushing number 12 who scrambled the sliotar to the net.
The home team had a glorious opportunity to net in the first half but Ray Dorran blasted wide after goalkeeper Byrne had deflected a close-range free from Nicky Horan into his path.
It didn't affect his side unduly and Meath appeared to underline their superiority and growing confidence when Horan converted his second 65 of the afternoon, and fifth point overall, soon after to leave the men in green and gold ahead by double scores, 0-8 to 0-4.
That didn't last long and Offaly got themselves back on track with points from Ger Oakley, Gary Hanniffy and Dooley (two, one free and a `65') as they narrowed the deficit.
In the second half they raced five points clear with nine minutes remaining and subsequently held on to that lead with Rory Hanniffy and Brendan Murphy trading scores with Fergus McMahon (two frees).
Offaly: S Byrne; S Whelahan, M O'Hara, Brian Whelahan; C Cassidy, J Brady, K Martin; G Oakley (0-2), Barry Whelahan; J Dooley (0- 9), G Hanniffy (0-3), J Pilkington (1-1), R Hanniffy (0-1), J Troy, D Murray. Subs: H Rigney for Brian Whelahan; Brendan Murphy (0-1) for Oakley, P Molloy for Murray.
Meath: M Gannon; A O'Neill, D Murray, M Mullen; T Reilly, P Donnelly, D Reilly; N Horan (0-5), J Canty; K Dowd (1-0), F McMahon (0- 7), C Keena; N Reilly, R Doran, P Potterton. Subs: J Donoghue for Keena; D Dorran for Mullen; D Troy for Horan.
Referee: JA Gribben (Down).
