Leinster SHC Semi-final: Wexford 0-16 Offaly 1-12 Where to begin? From the heels of the best Offaly hurling in three years to a Wexford fightback that might last well into the summer, this was a game that never stopped to breathe. In the end, though, the only real twist can be traced directly to half-time.

It was a remarkable separation of form, but clearly Wexford chose the more important 35 minutes to hit their peak. Just which half reflects the true ability of the teams doesn't matter a whole lot right now, because Wexford take their one-point victory into the Leinster final on July 6th where they'll meet champions Kilkenny for the second year running.

It doesn't matter either that Wexford had spent the entire second half working on that winning score, gradually wearing down Offaly's seven-point lead. So with two minutes of normal time remaining it was Michael Jacob, one of several effective substitutes, who jetted over the point that put them in front at the most crucial time.

Offaly heads didn't drop though, and two minutes later they got their chance to equalise after Damien Fitzhenry's over-ambitious clearance. Brian Carroll stepped up for the 45-metre free, taking all the time in the world, but sliced his shot just right and wide.

At that point the crowd that had swelled to about 22,000 was breathless. And as if the manner of Wexford's victory wasn't satisfying enough, it was also only their third win over Offaly in the Leinster championship since 1979. The celebrations will probably run for a few days, and definitely as long as the Offaly heartbreak.

The only consolation for Offaly was that their hurling played in the first half was far better than anything seen since 2000 and their surprise defeat of Cork. New manager Mike McNamara had made an immediate imprint on the championship line-up with some unusual selections, but to a man they worked wonders.

Almost everyone from the half backs to the full forwards were rearranged, but the main surprise was Brian Whelahan - supposedly out with a calf injury - starting at centre back. Barry Whelahan partnered the young Michael Cordial at midfield, Gary Hanniffy started at centre forward, and Brian Carroll went into right corner forward.

Within minutes it was clear this was a tried and tested operation. Most outstanding was Cordial, whose tireless and fearless running from midfield sparked a succession of Offaly attacks. Carroll was sharp with points from play, as was Damien Murray with frees, and Offaly were soon 0-4 to 0-2 up.

With the Wexford defence struggling to find their feet, Offaly were swallowing up every inch of space. On nine minutes an exchange between Carroll to Rory Hanniffy ended up in the Wexford net. With a magnetic touch and oozing energy Offaly could hardly put a foot wrong.

From there to the break they pressed ambitiously ahead, only temporarily halted by a series of lost opportunities by Wexford. Paul Codd was struggling with his free-taking and whatever possession the forwards did get was quickly suffocated by Offaly, in particular Colm Cassidy and Mick O'Hara.

By the 20th minute Cordial had already hit the second of his majestic points from play and his presence was the most troublesome for Wexford. Later he would suffer a minor concussion during a high tackle and his absence for the last 10 minutes was a killer for Offaly.

The half closed out with the contrast in form remaining. Joe Errity had set up one of the better scores for Gary Hanniffy and it was two minutes before the break when Codd sent over the first of his two successful 65s - and Wexford's first score since the 10th minute.

Finally, Codd was awarded a penalty for overburdening Offaly defenders, and up came goalkeeper Damien Fitzhenry to oblige, only to balloon the ball over the bar for a point - much to his obvious disgust. They turned at 1-10 to 0-6.

So to the second half, where it all started going right for Wexford, and wrong for Offaly. The first of the Wexford substitutes, Chris McGrath, was called in for Lambert and his lightning pace had an immediate effect. Points from Codd and Rory Jacob also gave Wexford the start they needed, and within a few minutes it was clear the comeback was in full swing.

Tomás Mahon then came in for Adrian Fenlon and helped establish Wexford dominance at midfield. But they had to endure some agonising misses as well as Brian Mullins was proving unbreakable in the Offaly goal, with the first of several great saves coming 14 minutes into the half, first from Jacob, then McGrath.

Sixteen minutes into the half Brian Whelahan sent over a second free, and Offaly's second score of the half. No one could have guessed it then but it was their last score of the game. Instead the last 20 minutes was all about Wexford. David O'Connor had now taken complete control at full back, as had Declan Ruth at centre back, and Michael Jacob's introduction maintained the free-wheeling spirit of the forwards.

Mullins pulled off another cracking save from Michael Jacob but it merely postponed the inevitable. Codd sent over a massive free on 66 minutes to level the scores again, but there was a little dispute about it afterwards because of an apparent retaliation by a Wexford player when the original foul was committed. Yet such was Wexford's dominance now that any one of the forwards could have killed off Offaly. In the end it was Michael Jacob who did the business, and the great comeback was complete.

WEXFORD: D Fitzhenry (0-1, a penalty); C Kehoe, D O'Connor, K Rossiter; D Stamp, D Ruth, L Dunne; A Fenlon, R McCarthy (0-1); M Jordan (0-2), D Berry, B Goff (0-1); B Lambert, P Codd (0-7, four frees, two 65s), R Jacob (0-2). Subs: C McGrath (0-1) for Lambert (half-time), T Mahon for Fenlon (44 mins), M Jacob (0-1) for Goff (45 mins), MJ Furlong for Berry (64 mins).

OFFALY: B Mullins; M O'Hara, G Oakley, D Franks; J Brady, Brian Whelahan (0-2, frees), C Cassidy; Barry Whelahan (0-1), M Cordial (0-2); R Hanniffy (1-1), G Hanniffy (0-2), N Coughlan; B Carroll (0-2), J Errity, D Murrray (0-2, frees). Subs: S Whelahan for Coughlan (45 mins), S Browne for Cordial (60 mins, inj), S Weir for Murray (64 mins).

Referee: P O'Connor (Limerick).