14-man Kildare give it their all but Offaly march on in Joe McDonagh Cup

Joe McDonagh Cup Round 2

Offaly 2-22

Kildare 3-11

Manguard Plus COE, Hawkfield, has rarely looked better on a beautiful afternoon as Kildare and Offaly crossed swords for the third time in a short few weeks, this time being Round 2 of the Joe McDonagh Cup.

With the initial meeting ending in a draw; the second clash finishing with a three point win for the Offaly men nevertheless, and despite Kildare's heavy loss to Carlow just a week ago, David Herity's Kildare came well prepared for this vital clash, in front of a disappointingly small attendance.

Killian Sampson and Adrian Cleary had The Faithful Boys in front after four minutes before Cian Boran and James Burke squared it up with just seven minutes on the clock.

Three points on the trot from the eagle-eyed Eoghan Cahill, Cleary again and Charlie Mitchell, saw a gap emerging as Offaly looked to be getting an early grip on proceedings.

Paul Divilly, who replaced Cathal Dowling after just seven minutes, the Naas man picking up an injury, reduced the deficit after his (Divilly) effort was deflected over by an Offaly defender, that was after 12 minutes.

However, what happened next had a huge bearing on the game with referee Michael Kennedy, after being called by an umpire, flashed a red card to Kildare's wing forward Mark Delaney.

Few actually saw what was involved in the incident but it seemed to take place prior to Divilly's point but one way or another Kildare were down to 14 men and facing a massive challenge.

It did not take too long for Offaly to take full advantage of their numerical advantage.

They first his three points from Eoghan Cahill, one free, one 65 and one point from play before midfielder Cillian Kiely saw his goal bound shot saved by Paddy McKenna but the rebound came to Kiely and the Kilcormac /Killoughey man made no mistake; Jack Clancy was denied by McKenna minutes later the play was called back for an earlier foul and Cahill duly made it 1-9 to 0-3 with just 18 minutes on the clock.

Not for the first time in this contest Cathal McCabe required attention from the medical folk but the Maynooth midfielder continued on.

Kildare's wide tally was totting up as their shooting became erratic and wayward. Offaly on the other hand tacked on three more points and things were looking extremely bleak for The Lilies.

A ray of light then emerged for David Herity's side when a Cian Boran shot was saved by Offaly net minder Stephen Corcoran but the lose ball was pulled on by James Burke and this time nestled in the net — Offaly 1-12 Kildare 1-3.

Offaly added two white flags; Adrian Cleary picked up a yellow and Paddy McKenna (now on free-taking duty) fired over but there was no stopping the visitors.

Paul Dolan picked up a yellow for chop; punished by Eoghan Cahill; Brian Duignan and Cahill again stretched the lead out 1-17 to 1-4 with 34 on the clock.

A mini burst gave the home side a little hope with a Paul Dolan point followed by a Cian Boran goal, having been set up after tremendous work by Brian Byrne who pursued an Offaly player some 80 yards before winning the sliother; firing forward and while Boran's effort was not the best strike in the world, it was good enough to get past Corcoran; Paddy McKenna addend a free; Eoghan Cahill replied with a similar score as the half-time whistle arrived with Offaly in a commanding lead of 1-18 to 2-6.

To add to Kildare's woes the fact they hit no less than nine wides, plus a few shorts, add in the sending-off and no doubt David Herity had some talking to do with his players during the break.

Gerry Keegan picked up an early yellow before Paddy McKenna added to his total with a free before Eoghan Cahill did likewise from a placed ball.

Kildare had certainly upped their game in the second half and were giving it everything but on 47 minute a real body blow arrived when Paddy Clancy's initial goal attempt was saved by Paddy McKenna but there to fire to the empty net was that man Eoghan Cahill as his side now led 2-19 to 2-7.

Cahill added a point from play before Kildare hit three points on the trot. Paddy McKenna free, followed by a 65 after Brian Byrne was denied by Stephen Corcoran and a lovely point from substitute Drew Costello made it 2-20 to 2-10.

Cillian Kiely increased the gap before Brian Byrne converted a close-in free after Cian Boran's effort had been saved but play called back for an earlier foul.

Substitute Cathal Kiely extended the lead; John McKeon and Cathal Kiely were shown yellows as things got somewhat hot.

Kildare were throwing everything at Offaly and Cian Boran was bearing down on goals, passed to Brian Byrne who was on his shoulder but the Naas man took a big hit which saw Paddy Delaney getting a black card and a penalty awarded. Up stepped Paddy McKenna to find the net for what turned out to be the final score of the game.

Eight points in it but an encouraging second half from David Herity's side whose players are to be commended for giving it their all despite fighting an uphill battle from a long way out.

SCORERS

Offaly: Eoghan Cahill 1-10 (6 frees, 65), Cillian Kiely 1-3, Adrian Cleary 0-3, Killian Sampson 0-2, Brian Duignan 0-1, Cahrlie Mirchell 0-1, Joey Keenaghan 0-1, Cathal Kiely 0-1.

Kildare: Paddy McKenna 1-5 (4 frees, 65, penalty), James Burke 1-1, Cian Boran 1-1, Mark Delaney 0-1, Paul Divilly 0-1, Brian Byrne 0-1 (free), Drew Costello 0-1.

TEAMS

Offaly: Stephen Corcoran; Ben Conneely, Ciaran Burke, David King; Jack Screeney , Jason Sampson, Killian Sampson; Cillian Kiely, Joey Keenaghan; Adrian Cleary, Jack Clancy, Eoghan Cahill; David Nally, Brian Duignan, Charlie Mitchell. Subs: Paddy Clancy for Joey Keenaghan (40 minutes); Shane Doolley for Eoghan Cahill (blood sub 42-43 minutes) Cathal Kiely for Charlie Mitchell (53 minutes); Paddy Delaney for Jack Clancy (63 minutes); John Murphy for Brian Duignan (63 minutes).

Kildare: Paddy McKenna; Niall Ó Muineacháin, Simon Leacy, Cian Shanahan; Jack Travers, Rian Boran, Paul Dolan; Johnny Byrne, Cathal McCabe; James Burke cpt, Gerry Keegan, Mark Delaney; Brian Byrne, Cian Boran, Cathal Dowling. Subs: Paul Divilly for Cathal Dowling (7 minutes); David Qualter for Paul Dolan (half-time); Shane Dooley for Eoghan Cahill (blood sub 42-45 minutes); John McKeon for Niall Muineacháin (46 minutes); Declan Flaherty for James Burke (blood sub 49-00); Sean Christanseen for Paul Divilly (52 minutes); Drew Costello for Jack Travers (55 minutes).

REFEREE: Michael Kennedy.