Offaly book final place with solid victory over Kildare

Offaly 1-15 Kildare 1-8

This was always going to be an intriguing contest between two sides eager to retake their places at the top of the tree in Leinster but on this evidence it’s Offaly who are significantly closer to the summit.

Dominant in midfield and in both half-back lines, Gerry Fahy’s men turned the screw on their opponents early on and simply never let up. Virtually from the off, Ciaran McManus and James Grennan held control of the centre and with their three half-backs haring past them at every opportunity, the pressure on Kildare’s back line was immense.