Offaly too strong for 14 man Kildare in McDonagh Cup

Offaly proved too strong for Kildare this afternoon at Managuard Plus COE, in Round 2 of the Joe McDonagh Cup. The game was well and truely won in the opening half with the visitors leading at the break 1-18 to 2-6.

Kildare suffered a mortal blow after 12 when reduced to 14 men for an off the ball offence.

Offaly took early control after the sides were level at 0-2 apiece on seven minutes but three points on the trot from the visitors gave them edge and while a Paul Divily deflected point reduced the gap but before the puck-out was taken Kildare's Mark Delaney was shown a straight red for an off-the-ball offence on 12 minutes

Offaly took immediate advantage, hit three points frollowed by a goal from Cillian Kiely as Kildare looked in big trouble. 

James  Burke goaled for Kildare but Offaly pushed on again and led 1-17 to 1-4 on 34 but a fine burst before the break saw Cian Boran get a goal and a few points to leave the half-time score reading Offaly 1-18 Kildare 2-6.

While the second half was competitive and Kildare refused to lie down, nevertheless Offaly were never in any danger of losing this one, that  despite Kildare getting a third goal late on after Paddy McKenna fired to the net from the penalty spot.

Final score: Offaly 2-22 Kildare 3-11.

In the other games Carlow drew with Kerry 0-21 apeice; while Laois comfortably got the better of Down.

Scorers: Offaly, Eoghan Cahill 1-10 (6 frees, 65), Cillian Kiely 1-3, Adrian Cleary 0-3, Killian Sampson 0-2, Brian Duignan 0-1, Cahrlie Mirchell 0-1, Joey Keenaghan 0-1, Cathal Kiely 0-1.

Kildare, Paddy McKenna 1-5 (4 frees, 65, penalty), James Burke 1-1, Cian Boran 1-1, Mark Delaney 0-1, Paul Divilly 0-1, Brian Byrne 0-1 (free), Drew Costello 0-1.

OFFALY: Stephen Corcoran; Ben Conneely, Ciaran Burke, David King; Jack Screeney , Jason Sampson, Killian Sampson; Cillian Kiely, Joey Keenaghan; Adrian Cleary, Jack Clancy, Eoghan Cahill; David Nally, Brian Duignan, Charlie Mitchell. Subs: Paddy Clancy for Joey Keenaghan (40 minutes); Shane Doolley for Eoghan Cahill (blood sub 42-43 minutes) Cathal Kiely for Charlie Mitchell (53 minutes); Paddy Delaney for Jack Clancy (63 minutes); John Murphy for Brian Duignan (63 minutes).

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Niall Ó Muineacháin, Simon Leacy, Cian Shanahan; Jack Travers, Rian Boran, Paul Dolan; Johnny Byrne, Cathal McCabe; James Burke cpt, Gerry Keegan, Mark Delaney; Brian Byrne, Cian Boran, Cathal Dowling. Subs: Paul Divily for Cathal Dowling (7 minutes); David Qualter for Pau Dolan (half-time); Shane Dooley for Eoghan Cahill (blood sub 42-45 minutes); John McKeon for Niall Muineacháin (46 minutes); Declan Flaherty for James Burke (blood sub 49-00); Sean Christanseen for Paul Divily (52 minutes); Drew Costello for Jack Travers (55 minutes).

REFEREE: Michael Kennedy.