Offaly hurlers scored a great seven point win over Dublin in the Allianz National Hurling League Divsision 1 at O’Connor Park on Sunday, 14th March.
This was a fully merited victory for Joe Dooley’s side, who performed much better in the second half compared to the previous games against Cork and Kilkenny.
Despite the concession of an early goal, Offaly led for most of the first half. Joe Bergin hit Offaly’s first goal and Shane Dooley added another, as well as well taken points from frees.
With Derek Molloy, Daniel Currams and Brian Carroll also chipping in with points, Offaly more than held their own. However, with John McCaffrey and Shane Durkan finding the range regularly for Dublin from midfield, the sides were tied at 2-9 to 1-12 at the interval.
The signs were ominous for Offaly after the break when Dublin established a two point lead. But a second goal by Shane Dooley put Offaly on the road to victory and the defenders really held firm. Subsitutes also played a big role.
Joe Brady, Joe Bergin, Brian Carroll and of course Dooley kept Offaly’s score increasing and they had seven points to spare at the end.
Offaly Scorers: Shane Dooley 2-10 (0-6f, 0-3 ’65’); Joe Bergin 1-2; Brian Carroll 0-3; Derek Molloy 0-2; Daniel Currams and Joe Brady 0-1 each.
Offaly: Brian Mullins; James Rigney, David Kenny, Michael Verney; Dylan Hayden, Paul Cleary, Derek Morkan; Conor Mahon, Rory Hanniffy; Brian Carroll, Kevin Brady, Derek Molloy; Daniel Currams, Joe Bergin, Shane Dooley.
Subs Used: Ger Oakley, Joe Brady, Ger Healion, David Franks.
Meanwhile, the Offaly footballers suffered a second one point defeat in the Allianz National Football League Division 3 away to Sligo on Sunday.
Amazingly, this is the third game for Offaly in which only one point separated the sides at the end. Last weeks’s slender win over Roscommon was sandwiched between this defeat to Sligo and a previous loss to Wexford.
Offaly trailed by 0-8 to 0-7 at the interval and despite being level at 0-10 apiece late on, had to settle for defeat by 0-12 to 0-11.
Scorers: Offaly Niall McNamee 0-5 (0-1f) John Reynolds 0-3, David Egan 0-1, Ciaran McManus 0-1, Brian Darby 0-1
