Roscommon ... 1-15 Offaly ... 2-11: A brilliant display from wing back Paul Noone inspired Roscommon to a sensational win over Offaly at Hyde Park yesterday. An Offaly goal five minutes from the end of normal time from Donie Ryan put the visitors five points in front and appeared the decisive score.

However, during an unbelievable last nine minutes, which included five minutes of stoppage time, the home side wiped out the five- point deficit before Offaly regained the lead after two minutes of extra time. Then the home side staged a second fightback with substitute Jarlath Egan equalising a minute from time and Nigel Dineen grabbing a sensational winner.

Noone's inspirational contribution to the Roscommon cause was immense, scoring two great second-half points. Midfielder Seamus O'Neill was another hero during those dramatic final moments.

A goal from Alan McNamee put the visitors 1-1 to 0-2 in front after 10 minutes and although Offaly twice stretched their lead to three points, the teams went in at half-time with just a point separating them in favour of Offaly.

Stephen Lohan tied the scores within 30 seconds of the restart and Jonathan Dunning edged Roscommon ahead shortly afterwards. But it was Offaly who showed the greater resolve as the sides exchanged the lead on several occasions before they opened up a two-point gap and Ryan got through for what looked like the match-winning goal.

ROSCOMMON: E Daly; D Gavin, J Whyte, M Raftery; P Noone (0-2), F Grehan, D Casey; S O'Neill, D Casserly; G Cox (0-1), S Lohan (0-6, 3 frees), J Hanley (1-0); N Dineen (0-3), G Lohan (0-1), J Dunning (0-1). Subs: J Egan (0-1) for G Lohan, A McPadden for Raftery, J Tiernan for Cox, D Connellan for Casserly.

OFFALY: P Kelly; C Daly, G Rafferty, B Mooney; J Hurst, A McNamee (1-0), K Slattery; J Grennan, A Mahon; J Kenny, D Ryan (1-1), B Malone (0-5, three frees); D Claffey (0-2), N Coughlan (0-1), P Kelleghan (0-2), Subs: J Greene for Mahon, V Claffey for D Claffey, M Stones for Hurst.

Referee: J McKee (Armagh).