Fielding eight of their All-Ireland final side, Galway were lucky to come away with a five-point win at Ballinasloe yesterday. Were it not for three magnificent saves by Galway goalkeeper Padraig Lally, Offaly could have been the victors.

Twice in the second half Lally denied Offaly's full forward Mel Keenaghan goals. At the end of the third quarter he saved a rasper and in the 33rd minute somehow got his left foot to a ground ball. Colm Quinn's attempt was also parried by the Spiddal man.

Watched by about 1,500 people, the visitors scored early on when Colm Quinn slotted over a free. But then the Connacht men took command with seven points without reply before Basil Malone had Offaly's second point from a free in the 32nd minute.

Having dominated for so long, the home side became complacent and allowed the visitors back into the game, seeing their 0-7 to 0-1 margin whittled to an interval lead of four points, 0-8 to 0-4.

Inside 10 seconds of the resumption the woodwork saved Offaly when Paul Clancy's shot was deflected. John Donellan kicked a brace of frees before points by Keenaghan and Quinn cut the gap to four points.

Galway's attacking half-back line then showed their mettle. First Declan Meehan pointed after a blistering 50-yard solo run and Paul Clancy matched the score in the 15th minute before left half-back Michael Colleran got his name on the scoresheet.

Offaly regrouped, and after Mel Keenaghan's goal attempt was thwarted by Lally, Donie Ryan and Colm Quinn were successful with points. Clancy opened up a six-point gap in the 22nd minute and even though points by Cillian Farrell (two) and Basil Malone reduced the deficit, substitute Kieran Comer had a Galway score and two minutes from time the usually reliable Padraig Joyce registered his only score of the game with a free.

Two minutes later Lally saved again from Keenaghan and the home side were happy to come away with the points from a pitch that cut up badly in the second half.

Galway can thank their halfback line who more than compensated for what was a lacklustre midfield pairing for most of the hour. The Galway forwards, apart from John Donnellan and Paul Clancy, also found the going tough.

Once again Offaly had a great defender in the evergreen Cathal Daly, and Ciaran McManus was also outstanding at midfield. Up front Keenaghan and Malone caused the greatest danger but their many deserving efforts were thwarted, especially by Lally.

Galway: P Lally; T Meehan, K Fitzgerald, R Fahey; M Colleran (0-1), T Joyce (0-1), D Meehan (0-1); J Bergin, F Gavin; K Naughton, P Clancy (0-3), L Colleran; D Savage (0-1), P Joyce (0-1), J Donnellan (0-7, five frees). Sub: K Comer (0-1) for Naughton.

Offaly: D Kelly; J Brady, C Daly, K Slattery; C Evans, T Keogh, B Mooney; C McManus, A McNamee; C Quinn (0-4), D Quinn, C Farrell (0- 2); D Ryan (0-1), M Keenaghan (0-2), B Malone (0-2). Subs: G Rafferty for Brady; M Daly for McNamee; J Kenny for Keogh; N Coughlan for D Quinn; G Comerford for D Ryan.

Referee: M Ryan (Limerick).