It was a classic game of two halves in Navan as hosts Meath came on strong after half-time to overturn a 10 point deficit.
With a significant wind advantage, two-pointers were the order of the day and Keith O'Neill and Offaly stormed out of the blocks into a 0-8 to 0-0 lead. The gap was 10 at the break and an upset looked on.
However, Meath produced superb second half display with five two pointers getting them right back into it. Sub James Conlon put the hosts into the lead for the first time and then bagged a late goal to kill off the Offaly challenge.
Conlon finished with 1-2 in the decisive final stages and that takes Robbie Brennan's Royals into the Leinster SFC semi-finals. They won the second half 1-20 to 0-6 and now face old foes Dublin.
Key Events
All over
Meath goal, 1-23 to 0-21
Meath lead for the first time
All square, 0-19 each
Game on, Meath 0-18 Offaly 0-19
Ronan McManus
Meath v Dublin
After eight two pointers in the second half, Meath now turn their attention to old foes Dublin in the provincial semi-finals
Ronan McManus
Game of two halves
Meath trailed 15-5 at half time. They won the second half 1-20 to 0-6. All in, that's a 1-25 to 0-21 Royal victory in Navan
Ronan McManus
Offaly fade away
Only one score from play against the wind in the second half for Offaly. Mickey Harte and Co will be disappointed with how that game turned out in the end. Meath took total control
KEY EVENT
All over
Billy Hogan scores a superb two-pointer and that is the final score of the day in Navan after a very entertaining affair
KEY EVENT
Meath goal, 1-23 to 0-21
The Offaly goalkeeper is caught wandering and that man James Conlon gets a hand to a ball in to score a goal. That should be it
Ronan McManus
Five minutes of added time
All to play for here, just two in it
Ronan McManus
Meath 0-23 Offaly 0-21 entering inuury-time
Seamus Lavin has to go off with a knock. Paddy Dunican goes for a two-pointer from range for Offaly and nails it. The gap is two. Dangerous lead
Ronan McManus
Supersub
James Conlon makes amends and the sub scores again to extend the gap to four, 0-23 to 0-19 in Meath's favour. Offaly need a goal
Ronan McManus
Meath miss chances
Meath could have killed this game off through James Conlon and Mathew Costello but are off target
Ronan McManus
Last four minutes
Offaly need a response from somewhere here with only three and a half minutes left. It's hard to see at this stage as the tide has turned totally in Navan. No hooter at non-televised games
Ronan McManus
Meath 0-22 Offaly 0-19
Meath are three up in Navan as the excellent Mathew Costello scores a point. They are in control now and Offaly are struggling
KEY EVENT
Meath lead for the first time
The ball drops over for Meath and they lead 0-21 to 0-19 thanks to Jack Flynn's two-pointer
Ronan McManus
Meath injury
Sean Rafferty is forced off for Meath. They have had no luck this year with injuries
Ronan McManus
Home surge
Just under 10 minutes to go and with that 10 point lead wiped out, you'd fancy the hosts to push on for victory from here. Meath are off target again from a long range free, Mathew Costello the taker
KEY EVENT
All square, 0-19 each
He's only on the pitch a few seconds but Meath sub James Conlon has popped over a fine score. From 10 behind at the break, it's all square
Ronan McManus
Still one in it
Mathew Costello makes great ground for Meath but they hit another wide up front
Ronan McManus
Frayne off target
Meath skipper Frayne has a go from range to put Meath in front for the first time but it's off target. They trail by one point but it's red-hot Championship fare now in Navan
Ronan McManus
Elsewhere
Dublin have beaten Wicklow in Aughrim, 2-21 to 0-18 in the end. Laois lead Louth 9-8 at half-time in the other game
Ronan McManus
Meath wide
Ruairi Kinsella hits a Meath wide, their first of the second half
Ronan McManus
Win in their sails
That's a fifth two-pointer for Meath. The new rule is having a serious impact on the game in any sort of windy conditions
KEY EVENT
Game on, Meath 0-18 Offaly 0-19
Eoghan Frayne hits a two pointer. Meath have got right back in this game and Offaly are feeling the pressure. After a scrappy period and a few scuffles, the ball is thrown up by the ref and Meath win a free in for overcarrying. Mathew Costello nails it from outside the arc and the gap is just one point now. Huge turnaround in no time
Ronan McManus
Meath 0-14 Offaly 0-19
Aaron Lynch cuts the gap to three for Meath but they are in breach of the three up rule yet again shortly after and gift Offaly a free. They go for broke and Paddy Dunican takes it out to score from outside the new arc for two points
Ronan McManus
Two point magic
It's a different game this year and it's a different game now in the second half. Duke and Costello bang over successive two-pointers and it's just 13-17 to Offaly now
Ronan McManus
Meath on a roll now
Meath have started the second half like a house on fire. Brian Menton, Mathew Costello and a Conor Duke two pointer cut the gap right back to six points. It's 15-9
Ronan McManus
Meath need a response
Almost ready for the second half here at Pairc Tailteann. Hundreds of kids have been enjoying the fine surface at half-time. Meath have to hit that ground running in the second half
Ronan McManus
Other scores
Dublin are 2-14 to 0-15 ahead of a spirited WIcklow in Aughrim. In Newbridge, Louth are 0-5 to 0-3 ahead of Laois
Ronan McManus
Mountain to climb
Meath have the wind at their backs in the second half but they will need to improve here big time. Offaly stormed out of the blocks and Keith O'Neill and Co have shot the lights out. Huge second half in store
KEY EVENT
Half-time: Meath 0-5 Offaly 0-15
Mathew Costello pops over a fine score just before the break to give Meath some hope heading into the interval
Ronan McManus
Meath 0-4 Offaly 0-15
Brilliant Offaly football after a great move. Shane Tierney finishes it off with a right-footed score
Ronan McManus
Meath 0-4 Offaly 0-14
Mathew Costello adds another free for a much-needed Meath score. Hyland replies for Offaly. Sean Coffey pops up with a first Meath point from play to leave the gap at 10
