Apologies for delay folks, some technical issues in Portlaoise but we are just up and running at the same time as the game is up and running.

2 minutes, Kildare 0-0 Offaly 0-1: Offaly needed a bright start and they get it through Anton Sullivan. Couple of bits of team news as well, Eoin Doyle and Rob Kelly replace Aindriu MacLochlainn and Alan Smith on the Kildare team while Derek Kelly is in for Daniel Currams on the Offaly side.

6 minutes, Kildare 0-1 Offaly 0-2: Very bright start from Offaly against all expectations, with Niall Smith doubling their lead. They are lumping everything in long and early while it’s more controlled from Kildare. They get on the board too through Padraig O’Neill.

9 minutes, Kildare 0-1 Offaly 0-3: Little spats breaking out here and there as Kildare fail to capitalise on a great Tomas O’Connor catch in the small square. Offaly will take this as Ken Casey sends one over from distance. Very positive from the underdogs who aren’t lying down.

11 minutes, Kildare 0-2 Offaly 0-3: Mikey Conway keeps Kildare close with a free from distance but any thoughts of them steamrolling this physically have been put to one side for the moment. Good intensity and a good game.

13 minutes, Kildare 0-3 Offaly 0-3: Another Conway free has Kildare level but Offaly doing well under breaking ball and they need too, because they look unsure of whether Kildare will lump it long into Tomas O’Connor or go for the more measured approach when they don’t have possession.

18 minutes, Kildare 0-3 Offaly 0-3: Kildare’s shooting a little of their more traditional variety as Conway kicks their latest wide. Offaly sitting deep in numbers, Kildare prodding and probing but no way through as of yet.

20 minutes, Kildare 0-4 Offaly 0-3: It’s taken over a quarter of the game but Kildare hit the front through John Doyle. They are beginning to settle, their backs are getting on top and they look the more composed. We expected that, we just didn’t think it would take so long. Interesting to see the Offaly response.

25 minutes, Kildare 0-5 Offaly 0-3: Two wides from Mikey Conway in this game but a third free there. Little bit of edge being brought to this by Offaly and it could bubble over. Back to playing matters and Emmet Bolton thumps the crossbar.

27 minutes, Kildare 0-6 Offaly 0-3: Eoghan O’Flaherty gets his first of the day. Kieran McGeeney’s side turning the screw here with their backs are well in top, they are dominating possession, they just need to find their shooting boots as another ball sails wide. Big crowd here by the way, confirmed as being 16,178.

30 minutes, Kildare 0-7 Offaly 0-3: Tomas O’Connor winning every ball that comes his way, he’s giving Shane Sullivan a horrible time of it. He lays the ball off to John Doyle and it’s an easy score. It’s becoming an easy game for Kildare too.

34 minutes, Kildare 0-7 Offaly 0-3: Niall McNamee is introduced for Derek Kelly as we head for two minutes of additional time. Steam beginning to be knocked out of Offaly though. Legs look heavy and they could do with a score and the half-time whistle.

Half-time, Kildare 0-8 Offaly 0-3: James Kavanagh ends the scoring for the half with a and Kildare look happy heading for the dressing room. Rightly so, after a slow start they are dominating in every single sector and Offaly already look tired. Physicality was always going to be a big feature of this game and Kildare look bigger, stronger, fitter and faster. We’ll be back after the break

Kildare back out for the second half, we’ll be underway shortly.

36 minutes, Kildare 0-9 Offaly 0-3: Kildare pick up where they left off, great score from Rob Kelly but little pressure. Offaly need a big start to the half, that’s quite the opposite though. Close to being game over.

40 mins, Kildare 0-10 Offaly 0-4: Offaly’s first score in close to a half hour comes from Alan McNamee but it’s cancelled out straight away by Ollie Lyons.

43 mins, Kildare 0-11 Offaly 0-5: Ken Casey makes it double scores but only after Eoghan O’Flaherty is hauled down for a certain penalty at the other end but it’s not given. Change on the Kildare team too, Eoin Doyle replaced by Alan Smith while Mikey Conway slots over a simple free. Threatened to heat up for a minute there but Kildare staying cool.

48 mins,  Kildare 0-12 Offaly 0-5: Peter Cunningham comes on for Graham Guilfoyle but Kildare are coming in waves, and only a fine stop by Alan Mulhall denies Padraig O’Neill what looked a certain goal. Mikey Conway sends over the resulting 45 though.

49 mins,  Kildare 0-13 Offaly 0-5: Eoghan O’Flaherty extends the gap. Game gone dead as is Offaly’s challenge.

53 mins,  Kildare 0-16 Offaly 0-5: John Doyle with one, Alan Smith with another one, Emmet Bolton with another one.  It’s a massacre. Rob Kelly is replaced by Daryl Flynn.

58 mins,  Kildare 0-17 Offaly 0-5: James Kavanagh comes off, Padraig Fogarty who came off the bench and was key when beating Tyrone in the Division Two final, is on.  John Doyle’s fourth shot results in his forth point. Meanwhile John Moloney is taken off, David Hanlon is on for Offaly, and the biggest roar of the day is for Dermot Earley who comes on for John Doyle.

58 mins,  Kildare 0-17 Offaly 0-5: James Kavanagh comes off, Padraig Fogarty who came off the bench and was key when beating Tyrone in the Division Two final, is on.  John Doyle’s fourth shot results in his forth point. Meanwhile John Moloney is taken off, David Hanlon is on for Offaly, and the biggest roar of the day is for Dermot Earley who comes on for John Doyle.

63 mins,  Kildare 0-17 Offaly 0-6: Ken Casey gets one back but Offaly will only affect handicap betting at this stage.

64 mins,  Kildare 0-18 Offaly 0-6: Great score from Padraig Fogarty, his first championship point, but it won’t be in last. He has a big future.

65 mins,  Kildare 0-19 Offaly 0-6: Ollie Lyons with latest Kildare score. They just need a goal now to complete their day’s work.

Full-time: Kildare 0-19 Offaly 0-6