Despite shipping a Joe Bergin goal after just fifteen seconds, Galway had enough to overcome a spirited Offaly side who played a large portion of the game with 14 men after captain Colin Egan was sent off in the first half.

With the wind at their backs, Offaly led 1-07 to 1-06 at the break but, in truth, they could have done with having a more sizable lead as Galway took control after the interval.

Conor Cooney netted on 39 minutes as Galway made the most of their numerical advantage.

A penalty from Shane Dooley brought Offaly back to within six points of Galway and they were given further hope after Conor Cooney was sent off for an off the ball incident with ten minutes to go.

But Galway held on and a couple of late points put some gloss on the scoreline.

Bergin's early goal was followed by points from Dooley and Dermot Mooney giving the Faithful County a 1-02 to 0-00 lead after three minutes.

Galway rallied with points from Joe Canning and Conor Cooney, before Niall Burke notched their first goal on 13 minutes. The Oranmore/Maree clubman dispatched the ball past James Dempsey in the Offaly goal to draw Galway level.

Offaly suffered a blow in the 27th minute as captain Egan was shown a red card by referee Colm Lyons after a challenge on Galway corner-back Fergal Moore.

Despite losing a man, Offaly went in at the break a point ahead but it didn't take Galway long to edge in front.

Cooney got their second goal after the break to put Galway in the driving seat and they capitalised on their numerical advantage to put some breathing space between the teams.

Bergin was fouled in the 56th minute and referee Lyons awarded a penalty which Dooley converted past Colm Callanan to bring Offaly within six points of Galway.

This was as good as it got for Eamonn Kelly's men, however, as Galway clipped over a couple of insurance scores late on to secure victory.

Scorers — Galway: J Canning 0-8 (6f, 1 ’65); C Cooney 1-3; N Burke 1-0; P Mannion, David Burke & J Cooney 0-2 each; C Whelan & C Donnellan 0-1 each.

Offaly: S Dooley 1-5 (1-0 pen, 4f); J Bergin 1-1; D Mooney, P Murphy & J Mulrooney 0-1 each.

Galway: C Callanan; J Coen, J Hanbury, F Moore; P Mannion, Daithi Burke, A Harte; David Burke, D Glennon; N Burke, J Cooney, J Canning; C Whelan, C Mannion, C Cooney.

Subs: C Donnellan for Glennon (47), J Flynn for N Burke (51), A Smith for David Burke (71).

Offaly: J Dempsey; N Wynne, P Rigney, C McDonald; D King, S Gardiner, D Mooney; S Ryan, P Murphy; S Kinsella, S Dooley, J Mulrooney; K Connolly, J Bergin, C Egan.

Subs: K Kiely for Mulrooney (36), E Nolan for Connolly (36), P Guinan for Ryan (45), S Cleary for Murphy (68).

Referee: Colm Lyons (Cork)