The general well-being of Offaly football was illustrated once again in this Leinster final at Croke Park yesterday.

The much-maligned short hand-passing game was adopted by both sides, the difference being Offaly's ability to mix it with the long ball whenever necessary.

By half-time Offaly looked on shaky ground. The backing of a considerable wind meant that they needed a substantial lead. Kildare, however, must have been the happier of the two sides going in only 07 to 0-2 down at the break.

But it was Offaly who came out the stronger and overpowered the Lilywhites with a stream of points from Paddy and David Connolly, in particular. A last minute penalty from David Connolly, that went in off the butt of the right-hand post, copperfastened Offaly's superiority.

Offaly: K Furlong; J Hurst, A Murphy, B Wynne; M Kennedy (0-1), P Mulvihill, D Quinn; A Comerford (0-1), P Connolly (0-4); G Comerford (0-1), N Bryant (0-1), C Brazil (0-1); J Kennedy, M Keeneghan, D Connolly (1-7, 5 frees, 1 pen). Subs: D Kelly (0-2) for A Comerford (27 mins), K Grennan for P Connolly (58 mins).

Kildare: P Flood; J Kennedy, S Sutton, J Kenny; D Kelly, D Hendy, P Maher; K Donovan, P Winders; J Owens (0-2, 1 free), A Fanning (0-2), D Behan (0-2); E Freaney, J Gilroy, S Lambe (0- 1). Subs: N Casey for Kennedy (24 mins), D Farrell for Winders (48 mins), R Wall (0-1) for Donovan (58 mins).

Referee: J Harlin (Meath).