A spirited display by Offaly, particularly in the second half, saw them advance to the semi-final of the Walsh Cup senior hurling competition with a three point victory over Kilkenny at O’Connor Park.
Offaly were very slow to settle in the first half and after 20 minutes Kilkenny led by six points to two. Richie Hogan and John Mulhall were the top men for the visitors during this period, as Shane Kelly and Cathal Parlon chipped in with one each for Offaly.
Daniel Currams then cut the gap with a free, but Kilkenny hit three more points without reply. Approaching half time, Shane Kelly and free-taker Currams again kept Offaly in touch and then Ger Healion scrambled in a goal in the 33rd minute. The half time score was Kilkenny 0-10, Offaly 1-6.
Early in the second half, Daniel Currams equalised with a free, but Kilkenny hit back with a 37th minute goal from Martin Boran. Despite that, Offaly rallied and with points from Currams (free), Cathal Parlon and Ger Oakley, Kilkenny only led 1-11 to 1-10 ten minutes into the second half.
Offaly hopes rose when Rory Hanniffy equalised, and when Richie Hogan tried for a goal from a 20 metre free, it was saved and cleared by the Offaly backs.
But a barren spell followed for Offaly as Kilkenny regained a two point advantage. Centre back Joe Bergin rallied the team with a ‘65’ and a great effort from play to leave it 1-13 each with five minutes to go.
Substitute Kevin Brady put Offaly ahead for the first time immediately after, and Cathal Parlon put the home side two points in front.
Offaly scorers: Daniel Currams (0-4, frees); Ger Healion 1-0; Cathal Parlon and Joe Bergin (0-1 ‘65’, 0-1 f) 0-3 each; Shane Kelly and Rory Hanniffy 0-2 each; Ger Oakley and Kevin Brady 0-1 each.
Offaly: James Dempsey; Stephen Egan, Eanna Murphy, Stephen Wynne; James Rigney, Joe Bergin, Derek Morkan; Ger Oakley, James Keane; Rory Hanniffy, Joe Brady, Shane Kelly; Cathal Parlon, Ger Healion, Daniel Currams.
Subs Used: Kevin Brady, Fergal Daly, Paul Cleary.
KilkennY: D Herity; K Joyce, C Hickey, D Fogarty; J Dalton, PJ Delaney (0-1 free), D Prendergast; J Tennyson, Lester Ryan; J Mulhall (0-3), E McGrath (0-1), M Grace (0-2); M Boran (1-1), R Hogan (0-4, 0-2 frees), M Bergin (0-1).
Subs Used: M Ruth, N Walsh, M Walsh for Dalton, A Fogarty for Grace.
