Christmas comes early for heroic Offaly as they reach Leinster Final Reporter: '); '); CHRISTMAS came early for a heroic Offaly when they booked a place in the Leinster Minor Football Championship final with a superb win over Kildare in Newbridge today. Offaly 2-10 Kildare 2-7 Playing with tremendous heart and character, it was Offaly's best win at this level in years. They had to work so hard for the result but they answered everything that Kildare threw at them and there was absolutely no disputing the merit of the win. Only three points separated the sides at the end of an engrossing high intensity game of football but Offaly were definitely the better team and could have won with more comfort. They ended up hanging on a bit and were relieved to hear the final whistle but they still closed out the deal with a degree of comfort.