Eoghan Cahill produced a masterful scoring display as Offaly defeated 14-man Derry 0-32 to 1-12 at Páirc Esler to secure a spot in the Christy Ring Cup semi-finals.
The Birr man helped himself to 0-16, more than the Ulster side managed combined, in what was ultimately a comfortable afternoon's work for Michael Fennelly’s side.
The Faithful county took seven of the first eight scores with Derry's only response coming from a Cormac O'Doherty free.
O’Doherty landed two more frees before the water break, but Offaly were in complete control by that stage with Liam Langton, Peter Geraghty, Colm Gath and Oisin Kelly joining Cahill on the scoreboard as they led 0-08 to 0-03.
Fintan Bradley scored Derry’s first from play after another Cahill free but by half time the advantage was out to double figures as Offaly led 0-16 to 0-06.
Derry reduced the deficit to six points in the 42nd minute when Richie Mullan found the net to leave it 0-18 to 1-09, but minutes late they lost John Mullan to a red card.
It was one-way traffic from there on in as Offaly out-scored their opponents 0-14 to 0-03 with Cahill bulking up his tally.
In the Nicky Rackard Cup, Leitrim pulled off a surprise as they defeated Longford 1-11 to 0-12 at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park to set up an all-Connacht semi-final against Mayo.
The visitors started well with a point from Enda Moreton and a brace from Gavin O’Hagan giving them a three-point advantage.
Cian Kavanagh got Longford off the mark but with O’Hagan to the fore, Leitrim led 0-06 to 0-02 after 26 minutes.
Longford finished the half strongly to trail by the minimum, 0-06 to 0-05, but Leitrim struck with the only goal of the game on the resumption as Conor Beirne fired to the net.
Longford then enjoyed their best spell as points from Maitiu O Donohoe, Shane O’Brien, Alan Ward (2), Joe O’Brien and Kavanagh saw them take the lead for the first time and then move two points clear.
They only managed one further point from there though and had Daniel Connell dismissed as O’Hagan led a Leitrim fightback that secured a semi-final spot.
Tyrone are also through to the last four and will face Donegal next weekend after their 2-19 to 1-12 win over Monaghan in Clontibret.
With Fergal Rafter driving them on, the home side led 0-05 to 0-04 at the first water break, but by half time Mattie Lennon’s side were ahead 1-12 to 0-09 with Bryan McGurk grabbing their goal.
Monaghan opened the second-half scoring with a goal from Aidan Burns and the gap at the second water break was just five points as the Red Hands led 1-14 to 1-09.
It was Tyrone who finished the stronger in the last quarter as Keifer Morgan goaled while Damian Casey showed his usual accuracy from frees to set up an Ulster derby.
