Conor Mahon's 35th minute goal proved to be the decisive score as Offaly deservedly got the better of Meath in this Cadbury's Leinster Under 21 FC semi-final at O'Connor Park, Tullamore to remain on course for their first provincial title in this grade since 1995. Offaly ........ 1-10 Meath ....... 0-10 If Mahon's goal was the crucial score, this merited success was founded on the 'man-of-the-match' display of centre back Paul McConway who mopped up a lot of ball around the middle of the field and got on the scoresheet for good measure. Two points from the goalscorer in the latter stages gave Tom Coffey's charges a four points cushion heading into the final moments against their wind-assisted opponents. Playing a more effective brand of football in the difficult conditions, Offaly were good value for their success and might have won by a wider margin but for the form of Meath goalkeeper Michael Ahern, who denied the home side three further goals. There was little he could do to keep out Mahon's 20-metre piledrive that left it 1-8 to 0-6 and though Meath cut the deficit to two points heading into the final quarter, Offaly held firm. For the third match running Offaly goalkeeper Dean Bracken kept a clean sheet and did well to smother goal attempts from Meath dangerman Cian Ward in each half while turning a chip from substitute Shane O'Rourke away for a '45' in the final quarter. Before the off Offaly were boosted by the lifting of Ken Casey's six months suspension and the he sent over three points from play in the opening half, the third a fine effort from out on the left that ensure the home side earned a slender 0-8 to 0-5 interval advantage having played with the elements in the opening half. On the other hand the visitors were handicapped by the loss of two thirds of their half-back line with Cormac McGuinness absent with a broken finger while Stephen Sheppard picked up an injury in the pre-match warm up. Meath's best spell was in the opening quarter during which time they led by two points on two occasions and pointed five times with Ward finding the range four times while Cathal O'Dwyer also got off the mark. Then they managed just one score (a fine effort on the turn from Jamie Queeney) in a 25 minutes spell before a three points burst cut the deficit to two points heading into the final quarter but they could never match the form they should in dispatching Dublin and Kildare. Offaly - D. Bracken, R. Dalton, E. Byrne; S. Lonergan (0-1), P. McConway (0-1), J. Keane; N. Smith, C. Mahon (1-2); N. Darby (0-2, 1 free), R. Connor, A. Lynam; W. Mulhall (0-1), T. Coughlan, K. Casey (0-3). Subs - G. Hickey for Lynam (24 mins), J. Rafferty for Mulhall (50 mins), R. Brady for Hickey (58 mins), D. Corbett (60 mins). Meath - M. Ahern; C. O'Connor, R. Hatton, P. Howard; N. McMahon, J. Kelleher, T. Skelly; R. Meade, K. Reilly; C. Kelly, P. Smyth, R. Maguire (0-1); C. O'Dwyer (0-3), J. Queeney (0-2), C. Ward (0-4, 2 frees). Subs - S. O'Rourke for Kelly (41 mins), A. Nestor for Skelly, G. Gallagher for Smyth (both 58 mins). Referee - P. Knell (Louth). Tweet

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