Kildare 0-16 Offaly 0-8:KILDARE BOOKED their safe passage to the semi-finals in Tullamore on Saturday. It was an impressive win, particularly in the first half when they destroyed Offaly. Gavin Farrell and Daniel Flynn won the midfield battle and the pace of their attack and the quality of their point kicking meant they effectively had this game won at half time.

Offaly were level twice in the opening five minutes but after that, it was all Kildare as they led by 0-10 to 0-4 at the break.

Offaly showed fighting spirit in the second half and trailed by 0-11 to 0-7 after 45 minutes but Kildare finished strongly.

KILDARE: S McNamara; B Egan, S O’Hagan, S Higgins; D Duke, J Murray, D Hyland (0-1); G Farrell (0-1), D Flynn; P Brophy (0-2), C Brady, B Coffey (0-5, three frees); D King (0-1), N Kelly (0-3), F Conway (0-2). Subs: G Keegan for Brady (43 mins), S Christiansen for Farrell (52 mins), C Kilkenny (0-1) for King (53 mins), J Sharpe for Flynn (59mins).

OFFALY: K Keogh; L Colgan, C Lowry, N Bracken (0-2); J O’Connor (0-1, 45), J Gethings, P Foy; C Cahill, C McNamee; A McDonagh (0-1), B Norris, N Wynne (0-1, free); D Corbett, E Carroll (0-2), P Cunningham (0-1). Subs: E McCabe for Cahill (21 mins), R Galvin for Corbett, M Hayes for Gethings (both half-time), B Grehan for Norris (43 mins), G Mann for Grehan (53 mins).

Referee: F Kelly (Longford).