Leinster SHC: Offaly 2-26, Antrim 3-16 (a.e.t.)
Shane Dooley kept Offaly in this year’s Leinster Senior Hurling Championship with an equalising point from a difficult free against Antrim at Parnell Park.
Dooley’s score deep into injury time salvaged a draw for 14 man Antrim and they took advantage by dominating extra-time on their way to a seven point victory.
Antrim scored three goals in the first half, and surged 1-2 to 0-0 ahead in the opening minutes. Despite the early setback, Offaly looked to be in control with 1-6 without reply, the goal coming from Dooley. But by half time Antrim were ahead 3-9 to 1-12.
In the second half, Offaly struggled to cope with the dismissal of Derek Molloy. Despite holding Antrim to six more points, they had to depend on late points to draw level, at 1-21 to 3-15.
But it was plain sailing in extra-time, with Rory Hanniffy netting a goal five minutes in. The half time score in extra-time was 2-23 to 3-15 as Antrim failed to add to their tally and Offaly restricted them to one more point in the closing ten minutes.
Offaly: Brian Mullins; David Franks, Paul Cleary, Michael Verney; James Rigney, David Kenny, Derek Morkan; Rory Hanniffy, Kevin Brady; Daniel Currams, Joe Brady, Brian Carroll; Shane Dooley, Joe Bergin, Derek Molloy.
Subs Used: James Dempsey for Mullins; Brendan Murphy for Currams; Ger Healion for Carroll; Cathal Parlon for J. Brady; Dylan Hayden for K. Brady. (Brian Carroll resumed for extra-time as Offaly started with 15 players again). Subs Used in extra-time: Odhran Kealey for Parlon; Stephen Egan for Verney; Shane Kelly for Murphy.
