Tipp run out convincing winners over Offaly

Tipperary 2-16, Offaly 2-11

Michael Doyle's Tipperary ran out convincing five-point winners against a poor Offaly challenge at Croke Park.

A 31st minute left footed goal from Tipp forward Brian O'Meara had helped them to a six point lead (1-8 to 0-5) at the break of only their second ever championship meeting.

The Premier County settled the quicker despite conceding the first point of the game to Offaly's Brendan Murphy.

With Joe Errity receiving little supply of ball, Tipp took a 0-07 to 0-05 lead by the half hour point.

O'Meara, who goaled in last year's meeting between these sides, flashed by Faithful defender Joe Brady before volleying home from eight yards past Brendan Mullins.

A minute later Tipp keeper Brendan Cummins produced a wonderful reflex save from a stinging Brian Carroll shot from 12 yards.

Following the interval Tipp continued to impress with a John Carroll goal a minute in.

Three points from half-back Paul Kelly and further points from Lar Corbett and O'Meara gave Michael Doyle's men an 11-point lead by the 60th minute, at 2-14 to 0-09.

Offaly awoke from their slumber thanks to a 68th minute goal from Gary Hannify who saw his deflected shot loop over Brendan Cummins and a goal and a point in injury time from second half substitute Neville Coughlan of Shamrocks, who rocketed his goal to the net from 22 metres.

However it wasn't to be for the Faithful who couldn't compete with Tipp's overall consistency as Doyle's charges scored 1-08 in each half to move forward to a semi-final meeting with Kilkenny next month.