LEINSTER MFC SEMI-FINAL Dublin 5-17 Offaly 1-15 (AET – 1-12 each after normal time): DUBLIN, WHO played virtually the entire second half of normal time with 14 men, twice held off determined comebacks from Offaly before securing their place in the Leinster final.

A prolific scoring burst in the second half of extra-time, when they chalked up 3-2 without reply, eventually decided the game played in brilliant sunshine at O’Connor Park on Saturday evening.

Dublin dominated the opening exchanges and opened up a 0-7 to no-score lead after 20 minutes, but Offaly responded strongly and they were back on level terms when Anton Sullivan confidently fired a penalty to the back of the net four minutes into the second-half. Dublin’s were reduced to 14 men when Seán Swords was shown a second yellow card for conceding the penalty.

Dublin belied their man disadvantage and moved three points clear with four minutes remaining of normal time, but again the home side responded. However, once back up to 15 men and led by the excellent Darragh Stapleton and Paul Hudson, Dublin pulled away in extra-time to secure their place in the provincial decider.

DUBLIN: D Downey; S Swords, F Carney, A Carr; K O'Brien, J Kelly, G Seaver; E Keogh, C Reddin (1-0); F Breathnach, G Sweeney (1-0), C Carr; P Ryan (0-2), D Stapleton (1-6), P Hudson (2-7, two frees). Subs: D O'Murchu for Alan Carr (38 mins), M Concarr (0-1)for Colm Carr (47 mins), H Dawson (introduced 60 mins), S McGrath for Philip Ryan (70 mins), F Duffy (0-1)for Michael Concarr (70 mins).

OFFALY: S Nally; D Coughlan, J Ledwith, P Kelly; R Dunne, D Kelly, B Hogan; N Graham (0-1), G Guilfoyle; C Boland (0-1), D Scanlon (0-4, three frees), M Brazil; B Allen (0-4, one free), A Sullivan (1-2, 1-0 pen), M Young (0-2). Subs: J Crombie for Brazil (blood 34 mins), E Rigney for Dunne (47mins), J Crombie (0-1)for Boland (49 mins), P Camon for Rigney (60 mins).

Referee: Eddie Kinsella(Laois).