Offaly battled back bravely against Wexford in the Leinster MHC at O’Connor Park but had to settle for defeat after extra time.
In a pulsating game, the majority of the first half was even but Wexford pulled away coming up to the break to lead by 0-11 to 0-5 at the interval. It got worse for Offaly soon after the resumption when Wexford netted a goal.
But despite trailing 1-12 to 0-6, Offaly refused to give up and battled back superbly with goals from Brendan Murphy and Thomas Carroll and some great points. But they couldn’t snatch a winner and it ended Offaly 2-14, Wexford 1-17.
In extra-time, Wexford held the upper hand. They were 2-19 to 2-16 up at the half way stage and eventually won by seven points. Offaly must now play Westmeath in the qualifiers in a fortnight’s time.
