Leinster SHC Semi-final/Kilkenny 1-27 Offaly 1-13: Consider this: Offaly got a standing ovation at half-time - and were practically double scores behind at full time. That's what happens when Kilkenny just keep coming at you, ominously unstoppable, like a rolling stone.
By recent standards between the teams, however, this was a largely exciting game. The difference in the end wasn't so much that Kilkenny were much better than Offaly, they were simply much better over the 70 minutes. Offaly never actually got in front, and yet for the first half of the game they kept alive the hope that - somehow - they could get to the finish line before Kilkenny.
Instead, the second half was all about Kilkenny, who had both the endurance and the determination - and it seemed the greater ability to cope with the heat - to eventually ease their way into yet another Leinster final meeting with Wexford. In the process, they sent out another clear warning of their championship intentions and, through Henry Shefflin, created a little bit of history.
For Offaly the obvious consolation was that at least they were closer than the crushing 31-point defeat of two years ago, and yet, their All-Ireland win of 1998 aside, it's now 12 years since they've beaten Kilkenny in the Leinster championship. This result, particularly the first half, suggests that trying to close that gap is far from a hopeless cause.
As the game progressed, however, it became increasingly clear that Kilkenny's strengths would gradually show up Offaly's weaknesses.
Their attack, for a start, was a regular scoring machine, from play and placed-ball, whereas Offaly were relying far more on free-taking, and more specifically the faultless Damien Murray.
Once that avenue was closed off by Kilkenny, who conceded only five frees in the second half, Offaly were outnumbered in every sense.
They managed only three points in the second half - compared to Kilkenny's 1-13 - and that wasn't through lack of trying.
In the end, Kilkenny closed up shop and had the shutters down and there was no way in.
Gary Hanniffy and Brian Carroll managed one point each in the first half, but outside of Murray were the only Offaly forwards to score. Derek Molloy made some threatening runs, although his day was really spoiled when picking up a second yellow card late in the game.
Kilkenny, meanwhile, ended with a typically extensive list of candidates for man-of-the-match - from Tommy Walsh to James "Cha" Fitzpatrick to Martin Comerford and, naturally, Shefflin. Walsh probably gets the nod, and yet Shefflin's 0-12 created history as it extended his championship scoring to 18-264 (318), which pushes him ahead of Christy Ring's 307 points, and is now only 21 points short of Eddie Keher's record 439.
Defensively, Kilkenny also took an increasing hold on affairs, with JJ Delaney right back to his best in the number seven shirt, while Noel Hickey and Jackie Tyrrell dominated practically all situations at full back.
The one obvious exception led to Offaly's goal. After an opening 30 minutes that swung Kilkenny's way and then Offaly's, it was also the score that raised the sudden air of expectation among the Offaly supporters in the 11,490 crowd.
Kilkenny were in danger of running out of sight, Eddie Brennan's point on 20 minutes leaving them 0-9 to 0-4 in front, and then Fitzpatrick's score two minutes adding to the advantage.
Offaly were on the ropes, and needed Brian Mullins to pull off the first of several brilliant stops - this time from Aidan Fogarty - to keep them on their feet.
Two more successive frees from Murray then brought the scores back to three - 0-13 to 0-10, and a minute before the break Offaly had their goal chance - Molloy was pulled down by Hickey and Michael Kavanagh and referee Michael Wadding had no hesitation awarding the penalty, which Murray buried.
So Offaly were within a point - 0-14 and 1-10, which prompted the standing ovation as the teams broke for the break.
Unfortunately for those Offaly supporters there wasn't much reason to get off their seats again in the second half. Kilkenny came out and hit eight points to Offaly's two in the following 20 minutes.
Then came the goal to end the affair. Shefflin flicked the ball forward and this time Mullins completely misread it, allowing Eoin Larkin to complete the simplest of goals. Kilkenny were suddenly up 1-22 to 1-12 and the fat lady was being called in to do her duty.
The last 10 minutes ended up as the usual target practice for Kilkenny, as Offaly physically and surely mentally tired. Willie O'Dwyer was Kilkenny's only forward not to score in the end, with substitutes Eoin Reid and Michael Fennelly quickly getting in on the action to claim a point each.
Given this was Kilkenny's first game since the league final there's clearly no baggage from that defeat, and for them it's onwards and upwards.
Offaly, though, must surely be thinking along the same lines.
They gave Kilkenny a real fright for 35 minutes, and that's more than most teams in the country can claim right now.
KILKENNY: 1 PJ Ryan; 2 M Kavanagh, 3 N Hickey, 4 J Tyrrell; 5 T Walsh (0-1), 6 B Hogan, 7 JJ Delaney (0-1); 8 D Lyng (0-1), 9 J Fitzpatrick (0-3); 10 W O'Dwyer, 11 H Shefflin (0-12, nine frees, one 65), 12 E Larkin (1-0); 13 E Brennan (0-2), 14 M Comerford (0-3), 15 A Fogarty (0-2). Subs: 26 M Fennelly (0-1) for Lyng (half time); 27 E Reid (0-1) for Fogarty (44 mins, inj); 18 J Ryall for Delaney (60 mins); 23 M Rice for Larkin (68 mins). Yellow card: Kilkenny M Rice (68 mins).
OFFALY: 1 B Mullins; 2 C Hernon, 3 P Cleary, 4 D Franks; 5 K Brady, 6 D Kenny, 7 G Oakley; 8 B Teehan, 9 B Murphy (0-2); 10 G Hanniffy (0-1), 11 R Hanniffy, 12 D Molloy; 14 B Carroll (0-1), 13 J Bergin, 15 D Murray (1-9, one penalty eight frees). Subs: 21 M Cordial for Teehan (31 mins); 23 S Dooley for Bergin (45 mins); 20 C Parlon for R Hanniffy (57 mins); 24 E Bevans for Carroll (60 mins); 17 B O'Meara for Cleary (62 mins). Yellow cards: G Oakley (19 mins), D Kenny (53 mins), D Molloy (65 and 69 mins). Red card: D Molloy (69 mins).
Referee: M Wadding (Waterford).
