'It is only a quarter-final' as Offaly U-20 hurling manager keeps feet rooted to the ground

THE question was a fairly deep rooted one and Leo O'Connor knew exactly what was being asked but his reply was quick and very clear.

Speaking minutes after Offaly had recorded a superb 3-20 to 2-17 win over Galway in the Leinster U-20 Hurling Championship quarter-final in Glenisk O'Connor Park on Saturday, it was suggested that this was the biggest, sweetest win during his time in the county.

The Limerick man has made a huge impact on his time in Offaly. He managed the minor hurlers for three years, leading them to a Leinster Minor Hurling Championship title last year and they were desperately unlucky to be pipped at the post by Tipperary in the All-Ireland final.

Their Leinster final win and All-Ireland semi-final wins over Laois and Clare last year were huge results but beating Galway on Saturday was a different level again. Galway had won the All-Ireland minor final three years ago and are one of the marquee hurling counties.

We knew Offaly would be very competitive against them but with five of last year's minor side – James Mahon, Brecon Kavanagh, Conor Doyle, Shane Rigney and Adam Screeney starting -, there was always a possibility that this would be a year early for them.

They exceeded expectations with a heartwarming level of skill matched by an energy sapping work rate and they were able to get across the finish line late on despite injuries to their star player, Adam Screeney and most consistent defender, Brecon Kavanagh.

“I suppose it is in one way but it is only a quarter-final,” he said when asked about the magnitude of the win as he repeated his mantra of taking it one game at a time, one half at a time. “Do you know what I mean? We have to go again, we have to get our heads down and get working. A recovery session at 8am in the morning because there are going to be a lot of sore bodies.

“That was senior inter-county hurling out there today. That was a big, physically strong Galway team.Such is life, we get up and we go again. It was the same thing as last year. I keep saying it. One day at a time. Empty the tank on the day that you are given and that is it.”

He agreed that his Offaly team had once again ran themselves into the ground.

“Absolutely. So did Galway. Galway were flat out on their feet. Galway were chasing us today and that was the most important thing. We said we would get out and go for half and hour and see where we were and go in the second half again. That is exactly what we did.”

There were scenes of great worry in the second half when first Adam Screeney vomited on the field and had to be replaced and then Brecon Kavanagh went off after lengthy treatment.

Screeney had went off before half time after a bang to the head and got the all clear to return for the second half. Offaly were ahead by 2-8 to 0-9 at half time and Galway quickly hauled back in that deficit at the start of the second half but Screeney then turned the game back for them, scoring a breathtaking point from out on the right ring and setting up Shane Rigney for another score.

One of the most naturally skilful hurlers that Offaly has ever produced, Screeney then got weak and vomited on the field. He was replaced instantly but thankfully was out on the sideline before the end of the game and on the pitch afterwards. O'Connor explained:

“Adam is fine. We got a bit of sugar into him at half time, a few small little energy drinks and he probably took too much on board and got sick. He is fine. To win the game today without that quality of players is huge.”

Later in the half Brecon Kavanagh was down for well over five minutes after a big hit was put on him during a scramble for the ball. With his legs flailing and family members gathering around him, there was serious concern for a few minutes about his welfare but these subsided when he was able to walk off and the stretcher or ambulance was not required. And the sight of Kavanagh out on the field smiling and celebrating with team mates after the final whistle further alleviated concern.

O'Connor described the hit put on him as “unbelievavle”, adding: “Brecon will have a very sore body. It shows the way the game is gone and the physical strength of every one of them is huge. From that point of view, it is a tough gig. When you are at the highest level, it's a tough station.”

There was good news for Offaly when Dan Ravenhill came on in injury time. One of the stars of last year's minor side, Ravenhill had missed the last few games with injury and his return to action is a huge boost. He wasn't quite ready to play a big part on Saturday but the manager had no qualms about throwing him in during injury time – Kavanagh's injury resulted in eight minutes being added on.

“We just did that because it ties up another fellow. When you have a player like that coming on, it ties up a player straight away and it tied up a physical Galway player. The Galway player was very physical. He had the strength to tie him up and look, ten-twelve days is a good break. We will hopefully get him back and get him right for the semi-final.”

Joe Hoctor gave a man of the match performance for Offaly. He had struggled in a couple of the earlier games and his name wouldn't be up in lights like some of the ultra skilful players around him but he did everything that could be asked of him, and more. A decisive 1-2 from him was a huge bonus as he ran himself into the ground.

O'Connor smiled: “Joe Hoctor, his work rate was something else. We were here at a quarter to twelve and I asked Joe straight out, I said I am not worried about your hurling but what I want out of you is work rate because when we get to this level and the higher it goes, the harder the work rate you need. That is what is it boils down to.”

Offaly have since got a home draw against Dublin in the semi-final but on Saturday, the manager didn't know or didn't care about who they would get.

“It is like last year. It is one game at a time and we will see where it takes us but it is another step up the ladder for Offaly hurling. That is the most important thing.”