ALL-IRELAND MFC QUARTER FINAL Mayo 1-14 Offaly 1-12:MAYO MINORS have been a mirror image of their seniors in recent years, but they could finally be about to put their disappointments behind them after holding off a brave Offaly challenge on Saturday.

Once again it was their captain Cillian O’Connor who guided them across the finishing line as he shot nine points.

But Mayo were in trouble going into the closing stages and had to come with a renewed push before seeing off the Offaly challenge. O’Connor’s four points in the last eight minutes saw the Connacht champions safely through to a semi-final meeting with Tyrone.

A Jack McDonnell goal after eight minutes gave Mayo a solid start, but a determined Offaly performance in the first half was crowned when Noel Andrew Graham fired home a goal to send Offaly in 1-8 to 1-6 ahead at the break. It remained close throughout the second half but then O’Connor’s class became the decisive factor in the end.

MAYO: P Mannion; B Harrison, N Freeman, C Twomey; R Quirke, C Walsh, C Horan; D Kirby, S McGarry; F Durkan, M Forde, S Kelly (0-2); J McDonnell (1-1), D Coen (0-2), C O'Connor (0-9, five frees). Subs: M Regan for Horan (20 mins); J Shaughnessy for Durkan (47 mins); C O'Shea for McGarry (49 mins); C Costello for McDonnell (55 mins).

OFFALY: M Carragher; C Lowry, E Rigney, C Donohoe; S Hannon, D Hogan, J O'Connor (0-1); N A Graham (1-3, three frees), D Kelly; P Cunningham (0-2), P Camon (0-1), J Flattery; P McPadden (0-2), S Cullen (0-2), B Cushen. Subs: J Brickland (0-1)for Cushen (26 mins); T Mooney for Hannon (inj, 48 mins); J Gethings for Flaherty (58 mins).

Referee: P O'Sullivan(Kerry).