Encouraging display by Offaly but Wexford take the points

OFFALY suffered their fourth defeat of the Allianz Hurling League campaign but they gave their most encouraging performance to date when putting it up to previously unbeaten Wexford in their encounter at Wexford Park on Saturday.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

WEXFORD 1-22

OFFALY 2-12

The margin in the end was seven points but Offaly were in the game most of the way and certainly gave Wexford plenty to think about before the Slaneysiders sealed the victory in the closing minutes.

Offaly played very well in the first half and were decidedly unlucky to go in trailing by a point at half time, Rory O'Connor's 35th minute goal giving the home side the advantage but Offaly battled on in the second half and regained the lead on a couple of occasions.

It was a much changed Offaly team from their previous games. Some new personnel and positional changes seemed to work and there was a good balance to the team. They played with a bit of confidence and had Wexford worried in the first half when they struggled to get going at all.

Offaly had the advantage of the wind in the first half and used it well. The wind seemed to stiffen after the break but while Wexford did pick off their scores, they were unable to pull away completely and Offaly were always on their coat tails. A couple of loose Offaly wides at crucial staages in the latter part of the game could have made Wexford sweat even more but the home side got some late points to finally put distance between the teams.

It was a perfomance that will give encouragement to the Offaly management. The defence was under pressure but stood up better to that than in previous games. Ben Conneely moved to full back and did well and young Jack Screeney had a promising game in the corner. Ciaran Burke played well on the wing and David King manned the central role well. Joey Keenaghan moved from corner back to midfield and seemed to be more at home there, notching two first half points, and he was well assisted by Adrian Cleary who also pointed twice.

The attack was without top scorer in the division Eoghan Cahill, but Luke O'Connor had his best game to date, finishing with 2-6, 1-3 from play, while Paddy Clancy did well in the first half on Matthew O'Hanlon.

O'Hanlon grew into the game as it progressed and Conor Devitt and Damien Reck were also prominent in defence. Diarmuid O'Keeffe did well ariound the middle and Rory O'Connor was the main man in attack with 1-11, 1-2 from play, while subs contributed four points in the second half.

Wexford almost got a dream start when Jack O'Connor's long range free came off the post inside the first minute but it was Offaly who opened the scoring when Paddy Clancy was first out to a ball and he took his point. Rory O'Connor levelled from a free but Luke O'Connor and a long range Stephen Corcoran free put Offaly two ahead after nine minutes.

Rory O'Connor replied with another free but Offaly struck for a goal after 12 minutes when Paddy Clancy came along the endline and handpassed across the goal and Luke O'Connor doubled the ball to the net. Rory O'Conno pointed three frees before Diarmuid O'Keeffe levelled matters with Wexford's first point from play in the 21st minute.

Offaly responded well and midfielders Adrian Cleary and Joey Keenaghan both pointed and Luke O'Connor added another from a free. Rory O'Connor and Joey Keenaghan exchanged points from play before Wexford struck for their goal after 34 minutes when Rory O'Connor got away on the left, soloed in and fired to the net. He added another point from an injury time free to give Wexford a one point interval lead, 1-8 to 1-7.

Offaly came out brightly on the restart and Luke O'Connor pointed a free and added another from play as Offaly regained the lead. Rory O'Connor levelled from a free and sub Liam Og McGovern put them back in front.

Twelve minutes into the half Eoghan Parlon was fouled by Damien Reck as he gathered a pass from Killian Sampson and Luke O'Connor expertly dispatched the penalty to the net. Connal Flood and Rory O'Connor (free) levelled again but Luke O'Connor's free had Offaly in front for one final time after 54 minutes.

Four Wexford points in quick succession from Rory O'Connor, Connal Flood, Conor Devitt and Ciaran McDonald put Wexford three up but Adrian Cleary's point kept Offaly in touch. Ciaran McDonald, Kevin Foley and Jack O'Connor stretched the Wexford lead before Luke O'Connor's free left four in it with five minutes left. Wexford wrapped up the win with further points from Kevin Foley, Rory O'Connor (free) and Corey Byrne Dunbar to finish winners by seven points.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

WEXFORD: James Lawlor; Shane Reck, Matthew O'Hanlon, Conor Devitt; Gavin Bailey, Damien Reck, Jack O'Connor; Kevin Foley, Diarmuid O'Keeffe; Charlie McGuckin, Oisin Foley, Conor Hearne; Rory O'Connor, Conor McDonald, Rory Higgins. Subs. Liam Og McGovern (for Charlie McGuckin, 41 mins), Corey Byrne Dunbar (for Rory Higgins, 41 mins), Connal Flood (for Gavin Bailey, 43 mins), Paudie Foley (for Ciaran McDonald, 61 mins), Cian Byrne (for Conor Hearne, 66 mins).

OFFALY: Stephen Corcoran; Jack Screeney, Ben Conneely, Paddy Delaney; Killian Sampson, David King, Ciaran Burke; Joey Keenaghan, Adrian Cleary; Brian Duignan, Jason Sampson, Eoghan Parlon; Liam Langton, Paddy Clancy, Luke O'Connor. Subs. Eimhin Kelly (for Paddy Delaney, half time), John Murphy (for Brian Duignan, 47 mins), David Nally (for Liam Langton, 62 mins), Padraig Cantwell (for Paddy Clancy, 66 mins), Morgan Watkins (for Eoghan Parlon, 69 mins).

REFEREE: Nathan Wall (Cork).

MAN OF THE MATCH

The leading contenders on either side were O'Connors, with Luke hitting 2-6 for Offaly and Rory 1-11 for Wexford. It was Wexford's Rory who probably had the biggest overall impact on the game and his pace caused Offaly problems, with his goal before half time coming at a crucial time.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Rory O'Connor's goal just before half time was a pivotal moment. Offaly had been the better team for most of the first half and would have been worthy of an interval lead but that goal helped Wexford into a one point half time lead. Offaly did get back in front after the break but with the wind behind them Wexford were able to pull away.

REFEREE WATCH

Nathan Wall handled the game efficiently. He applied the advantage rule well, going back to book a couple of players after allowing play to progress to scores, and he also punished dissent by moving the ball forwad on a number of occasions. He probably could have given Damien Reck a second yellow for giving away the Offaly penalty but chose just to speak to him instead.

TALKING POINT

Offaly will take some encouragement from this performance. They had put in a good display against Clare the previous weekend but faded badly in the closing stages. They bounced back well from that and with changes in personnel and in positions, gave a good account of themselves here and it gives them something further to build on.

WHAT’S NEXT

Offaly's final group game is away to All-Ireland champions Limerick on March 20th, needing a win to avoid the relegation play off, while Wexford will play host to Cork in their final game.

VENUE WATCH

On a sunny Spring day, Wexford Park looked in fine condition. There was a fine sized crowd present for the game and plenty of stewards on duty to keep everything in order. The scoreboard malfunctioned for a while at the start of the game but they got it going before half time.

STATISTICS

Wides; 10 Wexford (8 in first half) Offaly 12 (6 in first half)

Yellow Cards:Wexford 3 (Declan Reck, Charlie McGuckin, Jack O'Connor) Offaly 3 (Adrian Cleary, Paddy Delaney, David King).

Black Cards: None

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Wexford; Rory O'Connor (1-11, 0-9 frees), Connal Flood, Ciaran McDonald, Kevin Foley (0-2 each), Diarmuid O'Keeffe, Liam Og McGovern, Conor Devitt, Jack O'Connor, Corey Byrne Dunbar (0-1 each).

Offaly; Luke O'Connor (2-6, 1-0 penalty, 0-3 frees), Adrian Cleary, Joey Keenaghan (0-2 each), Paddy Clancy and Stephen Corcoran (free) (0-1 each).