AHL Division 2A final: Offaly up their game in second half to defeat Kildare

Offaly were crowned AHL Division 2A champions following enthralling  final played at Portlaoise this afternoon in which they had three points to spare over a Kildare side that fought to othe bitter end but came up just short.

Kildare startd the game in blistering form, hitting 1-4 in the opening nine minutes, goal coming from Gerry Keegan. Gradually Offaly worked their way back into it and by 21 the lead the lead was back to one.

Kildare upped their game and a fine scoring spree late on saw them lead at the break 1-11 to 0-11.

Right from the start of the second half Offaly took contrel and dominated for long periods, drawing level in the 49 minute and taking the lead with ace marksman Eoghan Cahill converting a free, a minute later.

Offaly went on to lead by five points after sixty minutes before Kildare upped their game again firing everything at Offaly but while they whittled that lead back to just two points, Offaly always looked capable, got that advantage back to three before a 22m free deep into extra time saw Kildare keeper Paddy McKenna have  a shot at goals but his opposite number Stephen Corcoran was equal to the task and save well before the final whistle arrived, Offaly winning on a final score line of Offaly 0-24 Kildare 1-18.

Scorers: Offaly, Eoghan Cahill 0-9 (6 frees, 65), Cillian Kiely 0-4, Adrian Cleary 0-2, KillianSimpson 0-2, David Nally 0-3 (1 s/l), Shane Doole 0-2, Brian Duignan 0-1, Jason Simpson 0-1.

Kildare, James Burke 0-5 (3 frees), Declan Flaherty 0-3, Gerry Keegan 1-0, Cian Boran 0-2, Rian Boran 0-2, Cathal McCabe 0-2, Paual Dolan 0-1, Brian Byrne 0-1, Johnny Byrne 0-1, David Qulter 0-1.

OFFALY: Stephen Corcoran; Dara Maher, Ciarán Burke, Ben Conneely; David King, Jason Sampson, Killian Sampson; Joey Keenaghan, Jack Clancy; Eoghan Cahill, Cillian Kiely, Adrian Cleary; David Nally, Shane Dooley, Paddy Clancy. Subs: Charlie Mitchell for Shane Dooley (half-time); Paddy Delaney for Jack Clancy (45 minutes); Brian Duignan for Paddy Clancy (49 minutes); Liam Langton for Joey Keenaghan (67 minutes).

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Niall Ó Muineacháin, Simon Leacy, Cian Shanahan; Paul Dolan, Rian Boran, Rian Boran, Conan Boran; Johnny Byrne, Cathal McCabe; James Burke, Gerry Keegan, Cian Boran; Brian Byrne, Declan Flaherty, Cathal Dowling. Subs: Jack Travers for Paul Dolan (50 minutes); Mark Delaney for Declan Flaherty (58 minutes); John McKeon for Cian Shanahan (61 minutes); David Qualter for James burke (blood sub 63-65); David Qualter for Cian Boran (65 minute).

REFEREE: Thomas Walsh, Waterford.