GAA: Determined Dublin hold on as Offaly let chances slip

The outcome of the first of the Leinster football semi-finals in Croke Park yesterday had as much to do with Dublin achieving their victory as Offaly allowed a chance of advancing to slip through their fingers.

Offaly, in fact, came agonisingly close to snatching victory when midfielder Ciaran McManus, from his third chance of a goal, blew the ball high outside the post from the edge of the square.