on by Joachim Kelly for a beautiful goal that set up the most gripping of grandstand finishes. Although Kilkenny regained the lead, another coolly taken Paddy Corrigan free tied it up. The replay on 14 July was another thrilling and sparkling game, with the difference that Offaly kept the whip hand throughout. Eugene Coughlan blotted out Christy Heffernan, Aidan Fogarty kept tabs on Liam Fennelly, while Pat Fleury also reasserted himself. Offaly won by 1-20 to 0-17, and their scorers were Paddy Corrigan (1-11, 0-7 frees), Pat Carroll (0-3), Pat Cleary (0-3), Mark Corrigan (0-2) and Danny Owens (0-1). This was only the second time in a century that Kilkenny had been locked out of consecutive Leinster Finals, and the first time since 1948 that both Kilkenny and Wexford were gone before mid-July. The Leinster Final took place between Offaly and Laois on 21 July 1985, and resulted in an Offaly victory by 5-15 to 0-17. Dermot Healy's selection exuded confidence and dominated in every sector, especially at full back where Eugene Coughlan restricted Laois's PJ Cuddy to a single point. When Offaly had taken to the field the old Stadium shook with cheers. Laois had tremendous support as well, and went down fighting. Offaly's captain Pat Fleury took the Bob O'Keeffe Cup over to Matt Connor immediately. 25-year-old Connor, perhaps the Faithful County's most outstanding footballer of all time, had been badly hurt in a car crash on Christmas Day 1984. On 3 August 1985, the Leinster Champions went to Monaghan Town, preparatory to their All Ireland Semi-final encounter, across the border in Armagh City, the following day. Weather conditions were atrocious, although this did not impede Offaly's emphatic victory over Antrim (3-17 to 0-12). Pat Carroll lined out at number 11, but was soon replaced by Declan Fogarty. (This would turn out to be the last glimpse of Pat Carroll on the hurling field). In Croke Park, 90 miles to the south, Galway were meanwhile de-throning the Rebels in a pulsating game, setting up a repeat of the classic decider of 1981. The Final took place at GAA Headquarters on 1 September, and saw Galway tearing into the game at a frantic pace, only to squander many scoring chances. Ten of Galway's 19 wides came in the opening 20 minutes. Having absorbed ferocious pressure, Offaly settled into their own game-plan. Eugene Coughlan kept Galway full forward Noel Lane