Offaly show character to claim share of the spoils in Sligo

OFFALY showed real character to claim a draw away to Sligo in the National Football League Division 3 on Saturday.

National Football League Division 3 Round 6

Offaly 1-10

Sligo 0-13

Two points ahead after playing with the wind in first half, Offaly were in dire trouble when they conceded the first four points of the second half. They were still two points behind, 0-13 to 1-8 with 56 minutes gone and did really well to salvage a point from here.

With the wind strong, they had to work very hard to manufacture any chance but points from Keith O'Neill and Nigel Dunne (free) levelled it up with two minutes gone. They had ample possession to have won it and missed a few earlier chances but they will still have been glad to have got a draw.

They play Limerick in their final game in Tullamore next Sunday and are now on the brink of safety in Division 3. Wicklow surprised Limerick in Aughrim and it means that a draw will be enough for Offaly to stay up against Limerick next Sunday – they will stay up irrespective of the result if Wicklow don't beat Antrim in their last game.

It meant that this was a somewhat strange game as Offaly could have won and still end up relegated while they could stay up with a defeat. They pushed all of that to one side and went about their business in a very professional manner.

It was an imperfect performance but the conditions were very poor and they certainly did not suit Offaly's lighter, young players. Yet those young players performed well, once again showing they have the aptitude and attitude for this level. At half time, and definitely a few minutes into the second half, Offaly would have taken a draw with both hands and it was a good result in the wind up.

The manner in which they got on top in the closing quarter was the most impressive aspect of the afternoon. It looked like the game was slipping from them but they took over in all sectors, playing competent possession football and patiently trying to manufacture chances. Sligo pulled players back, inviting Offaly to come at them and it was surprising to see the extent of the visitors' late dominance against the wind.

Cormac Egan and John Furlong had super games on the half back line with Egan excellent in the first half and Furlong so composed throughout and really driving Offaly on in the closing quarter. Another young player, Keith O'Neill also had a really good second half, getting two crucial points and showing great footballing intelligence. Cathal Flynn also made a great impact off the bench, injecting life and pace into the team and Offaly have been performing well in their last few games.

Aidan Bracken and Dylan Hyland also impressed while Eoin Carroll and Peter Cunningham toiled very honestly at midfield.

The conditions were difficult for football, heavy underfoot with a swirling wind favouring Offaly in the first half. Ahead by 1-6 to 0-7 at half time, Offaly's first half performance was unconvincing and it was clear that they had it all to do in the second half.

Offaly had seven first half wides and also lost a bit too much ball in the tackle for comfort as they carried it into trouble. They started well and led by 0-3 to 0-2 after eight minutes – Dylan Hyland showed his value to the Offaly team as he got their first three points, a free, a mark and a beauty from play.

Darragh Cummins levelled it up for the home side in the 20th minute and the key score in the first half was Offaly's goal. It came in the 25th minute when Ruari McNamee was fouled by Sean Carrabine and Anton Sullivan blasted the penalty to the net.

Sligo did quite well against the wind, working the ball in well and taking most of their chances. They got it back to a point,0-6 to 1-4 after 29 minutes and Offaly got two of the last three points for that half time lead with Jack Bryant and Hyland, again, floating over lovely scores.

The second half was a messy, disjointed affair and the deterioriating conditions were a definite factor in this. Sligo came flying out of the blocks and were on level terms within three minutes. Two more points put them two ahead by the 42nd minute and Offaly were struggling. Dylan Hyland settled Offaly with a crucial 50th minute point but Alan McLouglin restored Sligo's two point lead immediately.

Even against the wind, Offaly missed chances with Dylan Hyland kicking two wides, one off his weaker right foot and Ruari McNamee dropping one into Aidan Devaney's arms. Sligo were 0-13 to 1-8 ahead with ten minutes left and Offaly were fighting hard for everything. Points from Keith O'Neill and a Nigel Dunne free put them level with two minutes left and with five minutes of injury time announced, Offaly were doing all the pressing.

They controlled the ball for nearly all of those five minutes without manufacturing a shot and the best chance went to Sligo after Ian Duffy's pass was intercepted, they broke forward but sub Keelan Cawley was wide much to Offaly's relief.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Dylan Hyland (Offaly): Dylan Hyland was at his most influential here and Offaly would not have drawn without him. He scored five points, three of them from play and his work rate was once again inspirational. He had a couple of wides in the second half that he will be disappointed in, particularly the one off his good left foot but he continued to show for everything. He also clearly worked hard on his discipline, didn't pick up a card and once again showed that he is now Offaly's most important attacker – collectively Offaly worked very hard on their discipline, trying not to foul and pick up soft cards.

Aidan Bracken, Cormac Egan and the brilliant John Furlong, another man who had been threading a disciplinary tightrope in recent matches but never put a foot wrong here, were also man of the match contenders for Offaly.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Dylan Hyland 0-5 (1f and 1m), Anton Sullivan 1-0 (penalty), Keith O'Neill 0-2, Lee Pearson, Jack Bryant and Nigel Dunne (f) 0-1 each.

Sligo: Sean Carrabine 0-4 (3f), Alan McLoughlin 0-3, Niall Murphy 0-2 (1f), Darragh Cummins, Nathan Mullen, Paul Kilcoyne and Patrick O'Connor 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: OFFALY: Ian Duffy (Walsh Island); Aidan Bracken (Ballycommon), Declan Hogan (Tullamore), Lee Pearson (Edenderry); Cormac Egan (Tullamore), David Dempsey (Ballycommon), John Furlong (Tullamore); Eoin Carroll (Cappincur), Peter Cunningham (Bracknagh); Dylan Hyland (Raheen), Ruari McNamee (Rhode), Jordan Hayes (Edenderry); Anton Sullivan (Rhode), Jack Bryant (Shamrocks), Keith O'Neill (Clonbullogue). Subs – Jack McEvoy (Clonbullogue) for Hayes (44m), Cathal Flynn (Ferbane) for Sullivan (47m), Nigel Dunne(Shamrocks) for Bryant (52m), Jack O'Brien (Durrow) for Pearson (48m), Nathan Poland (Erin Rovers) for McNamee (62m),

SLIGO: Aidan Devaney; Paul McNamara, Eddie McGuinness, Evan Lyons; Canice Mulligan, Darragh Cummins, Nathan Mullen; Patrick O'Connor, Paul Kilcoyne; Alan McLoughlin, Donal Conlon, Cian Lally; Eoghan Smith, Sean Carrabine, Niall Murphy. Subs – Daire O'Boyle for Conlon (HT), Keelam Cawley for Smith (48m), David Quinn for Lally (67m), Mikey Gordon for McLoughlin (67m), Peter Laffey for Cummins (72m),

Referee – Fergal Kelly.

REFEREE WATCH

Fergal Kelly had a solid game. He allowed for the conditions and was consistent. There were some questionable calls in the second half but it was so fiercely fought that this was inevitable.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Anton Sullivan's first half penalty goal was crucial. Offaly were struggling to take advantage of the wind in the first half and would have been in serious trouble had they not led at half time.

VENUE WATCH

Sligo hosted the small crowd efficiently while the pitch was heavy after plenty of rainfall on Saturday morning.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly host Limerick in a must win game next Sunday.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly - 12 (7 in first half); Sligo – 9 (3 in first half).

Yellow cards: Sligo – 3 (Nathan Mullen, Canine Mulligan, Patrick O'Connor); Offaly - 0

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0