GAA round-up: Dubs fight back for slender win in Offaly

Dublin had to stage a second-half fightback to secure a one-point victory over Offaly in Saturday's Dioralyte O'Byrne Cup clash at Gracefield, the All-Ireland champions winning 0-11 to 0-10.

The experimental Dublin team found themselves up against it in the first half at the County Offaly venue as the hosts got their noses in front midway through the opening period and went on to enjoy a four-point lead at the break.

Points from Nigel Dunne, Dylan Hyland (3), Ruairi McNamee, and Kevin McDermott saw Offaly go in at half-time leading 0-06 to 0-02.

A string of substitutions at the break for the Dubs saw as Evan Comerford, Senan Forker, Killian McGinnis and Ben Millist come on and the changes had the desired effect as the 14-man visitors - Peter Duffy was black carded in the 34th minute - worked their way back into the contest.

Killian McGinnis and Brian O'Leary scored two points apiece as the Dubs drew level in the 62nd minute.

Offaly, to their credit, looked to push on again and took the lead once more in the 65th minute thanks to a well-taken Cian Farrell free, however, the Dubs hit back with further points from Ethan Dunne, Brian O'Leary and namesake Shane.

Dublin held that two-point lead into the allocated four minutes of injury time, and while Offaly hit back with a late Farrell free, it was Dessie Farrell's side who would hold on for the win.