Offaly defeat the Dubs at the death

Offaly lived on their wits at Parnell Park before escaping to a 2-15 to 2-14 victory with a last gasp Aidan Hanrahan point to ease their relegation fears.

The win means that Offaly will now play the second-from-bottom-placed team in the other qualifier group in the play-offs but they came close to defeat.

Dublin led in injury-time after a brave fightback, which included a missed penalty and a late Stephen McDonnell goal.

But Offaly's experience counted with substitute Damien Murray tying up the scores before full-forward Hanrahan tapped over the winning point with virtually the final puck.

It brought to an end an intriguing game that looked like going Offaly's way with ease after a speedy start.

By the second minute Offaly led 1-2 to 0-0, the goal courtesy of Dylan Hayden's rasping 12-yard drive.

Credit to Dublin for putting up a gutsy display though and points from Emmet Carroll, Ronan Fallon and Michael Carton pulled them right back.

There was even a flash of genius from midfielder Dave Sweeney midway through the half when he converted a sideline cut to excite the home fans.

Offaly's second goal after 28 minutes gave them a vital edge, Michael Cordial cleverly shooting below the advancing Gary Maguire.

It gave Offaly a 2-7 to 0-6 half-time cushion and they looked like pulling away with ease, even more so with a quick 0-3 from Carroll after the break.

Then came the Blues' fightback with a string of unanswered points from Kevin Flynn and Emmet Carroll.

And a shock looked likely when Peadar Carton netted after 63 minutes, tapping home from close range after Greg Bennett's high ball in.

It left Offaly 2-12 to 1-12 ahead and set up a tense finale.

Dublin thought they'd blown it, when a late penalty attempt from Carroll was batted over the bar.

But sub Stephen McDonnell finished off a fine move moments later by rifling to the net to put them a point ahead.

Dublin could smell their first win of the season, but it was cruelly denied as Murray first drew Offaly level before that Hanrahan winner.

Offaly: B Mullins, K Brady, G Oakley, P Cleary, B Whelahan (0-1), R Hanniffy, B Teehan, M Cordial (1-0), G Hanniffy, B Murphy (0-1), M O'Hara (0-1), S Brown (0-1), B Carroll (0-8), A Hanrahan (0-2), D Hayden (1-0).

Subs: N Coughlan for O'Hara 57, D Murray (0-1) for Brown 59, J Brady for Oakley 66, Barry Whelahan for M Cordial 69.

Dublin: G Maguire, G O'Meara, S Hiney, J Cullen, D O'Reilly, R Fallon (0-1), G Bennett, D Sweeney (0-2), D Russell (0-1), E Moran, J Kingston, T Moore, E Carroll (0-5), M Carton (0-1), K Flynn (0-2).

Subs: C Meehan (0-1) for Cullen 31, L Ryan for D Russell 41, S McDonnell (1-1) for J Kingston 43, P Carton (1-0) for M Carton 48.

Referee: J McDonnell (Tipperary).