What a difference those last-minute goals can make. For Offaly, Donie Ryan's effort means being granted another shot at reaching the Leinster football final. It leaves Kildare shaking their heads and wondering why they aren't celebrating. And for the supporters of both counties, it means another trip back to Croke Park in three weeks' time.

But the dramatics didn't end there. Offaly had two chances to steal the win in injury time, first with another Ryan run at goal and then by winning an even later free. Up came goalkeeper Padraig Kelly for the 55-metre shot and, while he found the distance, he couldn't find the direction.

Yesterday's Leinster semi-final had contained little to excite to that point. It pitched a renewed Offaly - conquerors of All-Ireland champions Meath - against a much-travelled Kildare, still on the road and seeking another crack at the glory run of two years back.

Not long into the second half, however, it all looked quite predictable. Kildare had taken the initiative, gradually building up a five point lead and making their opposition look like one-hit wonders. But Offaly can tell a few tales about late comebacks.

Chasing a three-point deficit and with the clock ticking out, they ran at the Kildare goal with an unrelenting purpose but, up to then, attacks had been quietly smothered. At last their drives began to take shape and the 35,000 attendance suddenly found new nerves.

Yet it all seemed in vain until a last-minute sequence saw substitute Bernard O'Brien smash the ball off the crossbar and fellow substitute Ryan finish the rebound into the net.

"As long as there's only two or three points in it, there's always a chance of a goal," noted Offaly manager Padraig Nolan. "In fact I thought we started going for goal a bit early. In the end we might have been lucky to get the goal but we were unlucky with Barney's shot in the first place."

Defeat would have been an unforgivable blow for the team that had made all the running. "Kildare were the better side on the day," admitted a relieved Nolan. "They moved the ball better, they were hungrier, and they were fresher. We're lucky to get a bite at it again."

For the more senior Kildare manager Mick O'Dwyer, such dramatic comebacks - and especially by Offaly - are too well learnt to be considered a surprise. "I'm never disappointed when I'm not beaten, I can assure you," he said.

Now the sides must meet again on July 16th. By then, Offaly will have their influential midfielder Ciaran McManus back from suspension.

Up in Clones, normality was restored to the Ulster championship. Fermanagh gave Armagh a run for their money but then time tapped them on the shoulder and hopes of another shock were ended.

Armagh will feel fortunate to reach another Ulster final. A more eager Fermanagh showed better in the first half and their one-point margin at the break could have been greater. Armagh weren't helped when Diarmuid Marsden limped off early with an ankle injury but he should be fit for the final.

Armagh found new legs in the second half, with Marsden's replacement Barry O'Hagan particularly effective. As Fermanagh slipped into a three-point deficit, it looked to be over. But the Gallagher brothers, Ray and Rory, kept their heads up and a succession of frees brought the difference back to the minimum.

Yet despite a couple of chances to draw, their time was soon up and Armagh prevailed 0-13 to 0-12. They now meet the winners of the next weekend's Antrim-Derry replay. "It is all about getting through, not performance levels," was the assessment of joint Armagh manager Brian Canavan. I was pleased with how we came out in the second half with renewed vigour."

His counterpart Pat King was a bit more philosophical. "What now? Well, I have given this four years of my life. It hasn't been easy," he said. "You don't keep everyone happy, you don't see eye to eye with everyone. I think what should happen now is whatever is best for Fermanagh football."

Elsewhere, Clare left no room for such dramatics when coming through their Munster football semi-final with Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick - reversing the fortunes of the hurling sides.

Always the more composed, Clare kept a safe distance. The margin at the end was five points - 0-15 to 0-10.