If they can be forgiven for shooting 12 first-half wides, then Tyrone merit the "superb" rating accorded them by GAA president Joe McDonagh after this All-Ireland Vocational Schools' senior football final at Croke Park.

Seven of the Tyrone squad had previously encountered their share of disappointment in Croke Park. The lessons of defeat in last year's final and of the Tyrone minors at the hands of Laois in last September's All-Ireland final may have inhibited lesser teams but not this well-drilled, superbly-fit Ulster team.

Tyrone were so far ahead of Offaly in most phases, not least their ability to perform on the headquarters pitch as though it was their home ground, that wayward shooting over the first half hour, wasteful though it was, was not going to be a factor in the destination of the title.

Tyrone were far better at creating chances than they were at putting them away in that opening half. But even the absence of star midfielder Eoin Mulligan, who broke his arm in training last week, did not weaken Tyrone's ability to launch waves of attacks towards the Offaly rearguard.

The Tyrone half-forward line ran the Offaly defence ragged, and Kevin Hughes, moved to midfield for the day, continued to demonstrate his flair as an attacking player by bagging three points.

His defensive cover work was also a source of inspiration to his colleagues.

Stephen Donnelly on the left wing was the big menace for the Offaly defence and his industry and skills were complemented handsomely by Darren O'Hanlon and late call-up Ryan O'Neill.

Playing in front of a Tyrone defence that included a five-star performance at left wing back from Peter O'Neill gave the Tyrone forwards all the confidence they needed. And they combined skilfully.

Gary Mangan got Offaly off the mark after 14 minutes with a brilliant goal that levelled the scores, and made Tyrone's six wides at this stage look seriously damaging. But Tyrone took command again.

But the reality was that Offaly could never acquire fluency in attack to compare with the quicksilver drive of the Tyrone boys.

In the third quarter Offaly's challenge was strengthened with two pointed frees by Shane Cunningham, bringing them to within five points (1-3 to 0-11). But Tyrone's response was immediate - a Ryan O'Neill goal. If that goal was not decisive, JP Kane's certainly was, after he stole inside the Offaly cover with 10 minutes remaining.

Scott Brady's work in midfield for Offaly was to be admired, as was the opportunism of Mangan and the free-taking of Shane Cunningham.

Tyrone: P Ward; M McCarron, F Loughran J Devine; G Devlin, B O'Neill, P O'Neill (0-2); K Hughes (0-3), A O'Connor (0-1); R O'Neill (1-0), D O'Hanlon, S Donnelly (0-7, two frees, one 45); A Quinn, E McGinley (0-1), JP Kane (1-3). Subs: G Coney for Quinn (36 mins); A McCrory for J Devine (58 mins).

Offaly: N Kenna; E O'Keeffe, F Bannon, N Mannion; J Kilmurray, G Rafferty, W Coyne; S Brady, K O'Meara; A O'Meara (0-1), I Melia, D Kelly (0-1); E Finnerty, S Cunningham (0-3, frees), G Mangan (1-0). Subs: G Nutterfield for K O'Meara (half-time); C Cullen for Coyne (40 mins); C McNeill for Finnerty (53 mins).

Referee: K Walsh ( Clare).