Offaly 3 - 12  Dublin 1 - 8

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Although beaten this was probably the Junior side's best performance of the year.  The All-Ireland runners up of 2008 Offaly turned the game decisively in their direction in a 13 minute spell before half-time when they notched up 2 - 4.  That ten points tally was the eventual margin and they can also thank a superb display by 'keeper Audrey Kennedy.

Offaly were always that little bit slicker but Dublin showed tremendous battling qualities and once a few scores came the confidence grew.

Ofally had four points on the board thanks to Michaela Morkham, Aoife Kelly (2) and Tina Hannon before Dublin got their first white flag - a Kirsten Farrell free.

Siobhan Flannery pointed in the 14th minute to extend Offaly's lead but with the breeze in  their faces Dublin were reasonably happen with their position.  However a lapse of concentration allowed a free from Elaine Darmody to strike the net in the 17th minute and despite a great save from Bridget Sweetman in the 24th minute the rebound fell kindly for Siobhan Flannery to goal.

Dublin captain Eve Talbot with her Offaly counterpart Marion Crean and Referee Alan Lagrue

The great hearted Gillian McCluskey drove over a fine free to leave the Dubs trailing by 2 - 9 to 0 - 2 in the second half.

With some rallying words from Irene Kirwan at half time, Dublin upped their performance considerably.  The central figures of Eve Talbot, Paula Bruen, Gillian McCluskey (below) and Mairi Moynihan and Valerie Reaney led by example and Dublin knocked over some fine points from Kirsten Farrell (free), Leagh West (free) and Valerie Reaney - Dublin's first point from play.

Audrey Kennedy denied Dublin on more than one occasion but unluckily for Dublin another rebound from Bridget Sweetman was finished to the net by Shauna Flynn in the 33rd minute.

Dublin never relented and Jane Nolan, Gráinne Quinn, Anne Marie McCluskey, Ann Kirwan, Roisin Murphy, Orla Sheehan and Helen Cosgrave continued to press forward.  Eventually it paid off and when a long range free from Kirsten Farrell dropped in the square Leagh West was on hand to boot to the net.

Subs Aisling Fogarty, Jenny Russell, Niamh Drummond and Susan Kennedy (with a point) caught the eye as Dublin closed the game with some determined raids on the Offaly goal.

Bridget Sweetman, Jane Nolan, Eve Talbot, Ann Marie McCluskey, Grainne Quinn, Paula Bruen, Ann Kirwan, Mairi Moynihan, Gillian McCluskey (0-1), Kirsten Farrell (0 - 4), Roisin Murphy, Orla Sheehan, Leagh West (1 - 1), Valerie Reaney (0 - 1), Helen Cosgrave

Subs used: Jenny Russell, Aisling Fogarty, Susan Kennedy (0 - 1), Niamh Drummond