Late goals seal dramatic win for emotional Offaly
FOOTBALL was almost immaterial on an emotion filled day for Offaly as they defeated Tipperary in the National Football League in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday afternoon.
National Football League Division 3
Offaly 2-14
Tipperary 0-13
The sudden death of manager, Liam Kearns last Sunday evening, just hours after he had attended a training session in Kilcormac's Faithful Fields, had rocked the Offaly squad to their core. Ironically, their first game was against Tipperary, who Kearns had managed to great effect a few years ago, leading them to an All-Ireland semi-final in 2016.
It was a poignant occasion with a minutes silence observed as both counties remembered the Kerry native, standing to attention in a poignant tribute.
And when the business of football started, a tight, closely contested game of football emerged. Late goals from Ruari McNamee and Anton Sullivan sealed a win for Offaly that was deserved but nowhere near as clearcut as the final scoreline would suggest.
In fact, a draw loomed large before those goals kept Offaly's promotion hopes alive, with a game to come against Down next Sunday. There was just a point in it, 0-14 to 0-13 from the 65th until the 73rd minute and with five minutes of injury time to play, it was wide open.
A black card for Tipp sub Liam McGrath in the 68th minute helped Offaly and they then broke sensationally for the crucial scores. With Tipp goalie Michael O'Reilly having pushed up the field, there were gaps at the back, David Dempsey made a fantastic interception, Rory Egan and Jack Bryant continued on the move and set up Ruari McNamee for a 73rd minute goal into an empty net. That knocked the life out of Tipp and poor defending allowed Anton Sullivan in for a second goal moments later.
It wasn't a perfect display by Offaly and they lived on their wits at time but you just had to admire the way they went about their business. The attitude and aptitude they showed, the fighting spirit and the way they got over the line when things were not going well for them was heartwarming to observe.
Their work ethic was superb and Offaly have enjoyed a good league campaign.
There was very little between the sides in the first half and Offaly's interval lead of 0-9 to 0-7 was a fair reflection of the way it went. Tipp had loads of possession but were a bit slow and ponderous on the ball while their forwards were quite wasteful.
Four first half wides was by no means criminal but at least three of those should have been points while they overcarried with another chance as well as dropping one short.
Offaly were much more clinical up front. They didn't have as much possession as the home side but kicked only two wides and took most of their chances. Tipp started well with the first two points and Sean O'Connor's fine score gave them a deserved 0-3 to 0-1 lead after thirteen minutes.
They would have been further ahead but for three bad wides and Offaly took advantage. Bernard Allen, Ruari McNamee and Nigel Dunne all kicked quality points from play while Dylan Hyland converted a free in a sustained spell of pressure for a 0-5 to 0-3 lead after 21 minutes.
Tipperary got three of the next four points to level it up at 0-6 each but Offaly again found a rich vein of form. Offaly were very good when they moved the ball quick and were able to open up Tipp. Dylan Hyland, Ruari McNamee and Anton Sullivan kicked fine fine points before Cathal Deely's injury time point left that two point gap in it at the break.
The second half didn't do a whole lot to excite the senses until the closing few minutes. Tipp remained slow and uninspiring while Offaly were content to hold onto the ball for long periods with Tipp allowing them to play keep ball. There were spells of good football and it did liven up as it got into the business end of exchanges in the closing quarter and Tipp tried to rescue the game.
Offaly led by 0-12 to 0-9 when Ian Duffy made a super save from Sean O'Connor. They broke superbly with Rory Egan showing great intuition to set up Dylan Hyland for a point that put them four up. Duffy again rescued Offaly, getting back to save a flick from impressive sub Mark Russell.
Goalkeeper Michael O'Reilly pointed the '45' to leave two in it, 0-13 to 0-11 after 45 minutes. Ruari McNamee and Jack Kennedy exchanged points to leave two in it inside the last ten minutes.
Jack Kennedy's free left the minimum in it and it looked like Tipp might salvage a draw until that dramatic finish and those late goals from Ruari McNamee and Sullivan.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Rory Egan (Edenderry): Dylan Hyland once again had a fantastic game for Offaly and his work rate inspired all around him. He is very close but the choice on this occasion is Rory Egan who had his best game for Offaly seniors. Egan was so composed on the ball, broke forward regularly, showed great imagination and was involved in the all important first goal. Special mention also to Ruari McNamee who oozed class and top scored with 1-3.
THE SCORERS
Offaly: Ruari McNamee 1-3, Nigel Dunne (1m 1f) and Dylan Hyland (2f) 0-4 each, Anton Sullivan 1-1, Bernard Allen and Joe Maher 0-1 each.
Tipperary: Jack Kennedy (2f) and Stephen Quirke 0-3 each, Michael O'Reilly (1f and 1 '45') and Mark Russell 0-2 eeach, Conor Cadell, Sean O'Connor and Cathal Deely 0-1 each.
THE TEAMS
OFFALY: Ian Duffy; Lee Pearson, Declan Hogan, David Dempsey; Rory Egan, Peter Cunningham, Cian Donohoe; Jack McEvoy, Conor McNamee; Joe Maher, Ruari McNamee, Nigel Dunne; Bernard Allen, Anton Sullivan, Dylan Hyland. Subs - Luke Egan for Maher (48m), Jack Bryant for Dunne (56m), Cian Farrell for Allen (66m),
TIPPERARY: Michael O'Reilly; Shane O'Connell, Jimmy Feehan, Cathal Deely; Emmet Moloney, Kevin Fahey, Colm O'Shaughnessy; Paudie Feehan, Jack Kennedy; Stephen Quirke, Keith Ryan, Teddy Doyle; Mikey O'Shea, Conor Cadell, Sean O'Connor. Subs - Donough Leahy for Doyle (35 +3), Mark Russell for Cadell (43m), Liam McGrath for Feehan (56m), Mark Stokes for O'Shea (60m), Luke Boland for Deely (66m),
Referee – James Molloy (Galway).