FOOTBALL REPORT: Tipperary shaken by two late Offaly goals as the visitors claim the win

Allianz Football League Division 3 Round 6

Tipperary 0-13 Offaly 2-14

Both sides came to Thurles to play a game of football but the overriding feeling was one of gratitude at the impact of Liam Kearns on the players on show. Before the game the Tipp and Offaly players faced each other with the ref in between them and then Tipp turned for the national anthem. United they stood in memory of their friend and coach.

Once formalities ceased the spectators were treated to a lively game of football that Liam Kearns would have enjoyed and it came down to time added on when it was decided, as Tipp errors in defence allowed Ruairi McNamee into the right place at the right time just as Offaly attacked with a minute to go against Tipperary in the Allianz League Round 6 game. 

With keeper Michael O Reilly out the field, the full back line too were too far up the field to get on the ball and McNamee kicked into an empty net. From the immediate kickout Offaly attacked and Anton Sullivan fired past the hapless defence. Until then though, it was one point game but Offaly were full value for the win as Tipp errors allowed Offaly a foothold in the game and they kept the upper hand throughout.

Tipp started the game sharpish with two quick scores from a Jack Kennedy free followed by a Stephen Quirke kick on 4 minutes before Offaly got one back on five minutes from Nigel Dunne to leave it 0-2 to 0-1 in favour of the home team.

Things got better for Tipp on 13 minutes with a mazy run from Mikey O Shea, the Mullinahone half forward jinking away from two defenders to slot home from 35 yards against the wind. The Tipp crowd appreciated it but it spurned Offaly into gear. 

Bernard Allen pointed with the next attack. Ruairi McNamee then found space in the Tipp defence and Nigel Dunne struck again on 19 minutes to leave it 0-4 to 0-3 for the visitors. The Tipp defence was proving porous with Offaly successfully running at them and Dylan Hyland pointed from a free after sustained pressure. 

The David Power managed side rallied and won a free on the 45 which the goalie Michael O'Reilly came up the field, placed the ball  and sweetly struck into the wind to bring it back to one. Joe Maher and Stephen Quirke trade points before Dylan Hyland again found room in the porous Tipp defence and put the Faithful one up before quick points from Ruairi McNamee and a monster punt from the sideline by full forward Anton Sullivan gave Offaly breathing room at 0-9 to 0-6 approaching half time. 

The home side, with Keith Ryan playing well in a free role around the middle, kept on their coattails though and Cathal Deely fired over just on the break to leave it at a two point game. All to play for then with Tipp well in it as Offaly led 0-9 to 0-7. Even playing with a strong wind advantage in the second half Tipp needed to tighten the defence and make more of their chances against a mobile Offaly unit that got going fast on the restart with Dunne pointing before Conor Cadell responded for Tipp to leave Offaly 0-10 to 0-8 up.

Offaly pointed before Mark Russell, just on the field for Cadell, made his mark as he found his range with a huge long distance effort. Then Tipperary attacked again, and with Russell showing for every ball, were getting on top. Chances came quickly at this stage with Donough Leahy breaking through and shooting for goal but Ian Duffy saved Offaly with a fine diving save. A goal then would have changed the game completely but in a quick counter attack Offaly went down the field at pace catching Tipperary off guard as Hyland finished a nice move with a side footed score before Tipp attacked again.

Leahy this time tried to fist past the keeper, but Duffy guessed right and flicked the ball for a 45 which Jack Kennedy slotted over. After both goal chances went astray it was Offaly that kept getting the breaks. Liam McGrath was on the field for Tipp and very soon after went off with a black card awarded by the ref for a late challenge, meaning Offaly held numerical advantage and all the aces late on. It was tit for tat until the dying moments of the game then when Commercials star Jack Kennedy left it 0-13 for Tipp, 0-14 for Offaly as the five minutes added time rolled on. 

Tipperary attacked. Offaly countered and couldn't believe their luck when they found Tipp had no keeper or defender inside the 21, Offaly went for goal and calmly worked the ball into Ruairi McNamee who slotted into an empty net. Shocked Tipp tried to respond but Offaly smelt blood and less than a minute later Anton Sullivan side footed a second goal from close range just before the full time whistle. 

Both teams headed to the Dome for a post match meal together and a chance to remember Liam Kearns with his family afterwards. Offaly the winners then, but they are as surprised as anyone that they ran out seven point winners after a close, lively game. For Tipperary relegation beckons, as the season rolls on without a win.

SCORERS:

TIPPERARY: S. Quirke 0-3, J. Kennedy 0-3 (2 frees), M O'Reilly 0-2 (2 frees), M. Russell 0-2, C. Deely, M. O'Shea, C. Cadell 0-1 each. 

OFFALY: R. McNamee 1-3, N. Dunne 0-4 (2 frees, 1 mark), D. Hyland 0-4 (2 frees), A. Sullivan 1-1, B. Allen and J. Maher 0-1 each.

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TIPPERARY TEAM

Michael O’Reilly (Clonmel Commercials); Shane O’Connell (Golden/Kilfeacle), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule), Cathal Deely (Clonmel Commercials); Emmet Moloney (Drom & Inch), Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials), Colm O'Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan); Paudie Feehan (Killenaule), Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials); Stephen Quirke (Moyle Rovers), Keith Ryan (Upperchurch Drombane),  Teddy Doyle (Ballina); Mikey O’Shea (CJ Kickhams, Mullinahone), Conor Cadell (JK Brackens), Sean O Connor (Clonmel Commercials).

Subs: Donough Leahy (Arravale Rovers) for Doyle (37 mins), Mark Russell (Aherlow) for Cadell (43 mins), Liam McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney) for P. Feehan (56 mins), Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan Kilcash) for M. O'Shea (61 mins), Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers) for Deely (66 mins)

OFFALY TEAM

Ian Duffy; Lee Pearson, Declan Hogan, David Dempsey; Rory Egan, Peter Cunningham, Cian Donohue; Jack McEvoy, Conor McNamee; Joe Maher, Ruairi McNamee, Nigel Dunne; Bernard Allen, Anton Sullivan, Dylan Hyland.

Subs: Liam Egan for Maher (50 mins), Jack Bryant for Dunne (54 mins), Cian Farrell for Allen (68 mins)

Referee: James Molloy (Galway).