GAA: Close battle sees Dublin progress

Dublin 1-12 Offaly 0-13

It was an intense and close battle as Ian Robertson's 40-minute punched goal helped Dublin to an eventual two-point win over Offaly in the Leinster Senior Football Championship semi-final at Croke Park.

Dublin in fact did not score until the 18th minute, when Wayne McCarthy pointed a free after Offaly had swept into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead.

Dublin kept narrowing the margin, but with Vinnie Claffey excelling in the Offaly attack, the sides were deadlocked 0-5 each approaching the break.

A 3 minute Wayne McCarthy injury time free gave Dublin the minimum lead at the break.

The second half was tense and the battle went down to the wire as Offaly battled back for an equaliser through Alan McNamee, 0-11 1-8 with 16 minutes left.

Dublin introduced Vinnie Murphy in the full-forward line and he kicked two crucial points in the last 15 minutes.

Dublin were clinging on to a two point lead when a Ciaran McManus low drive rebounded off the butt of the upright.

Dublin keeper, Steve Cluxton, made some valuable saves as Dublin withstood a late Offaly barrage.