Three first half goals provided just the leg-up Offaly needed to go on and secure a 4-12 to 1-7 win over Kildare in an exciting ESB Leinster MHC tie at Naas.

Martin Fitzgerald got the Lilywhites up and running but Barry Harding netted from a penalty and then two further goals by Thomas Carroll had Offaly very much in the driving seat.

Leading by 3-5 to 0-5 at half-time, Offaly were pegged back when Gavin Sullivan swept home a goal for Kildare but Offaly finished much stronger, scoring 1-6 without reply, to run out comfortable winners.