Offaly keep promotion hopes alive after vastly improved second half

OFFALY hurlers stayed on course for promotion back to Division 1 when they turned the tables around with a vastly improved second half display against Kerry in Glenisk O'Connor Park on Saturday in an entertaining semi-final.

National Hurling League Division 2 semi-final

Offaly 0-23
Kerry 0-19

They face a renewal against Kildare in the final next weekend after subduing Kerry with some very good hurling in the second half. An Offaly win looked unlikely for much of the first half as they struggled badly against the wind.

A three point deficit at half time, 0-13 to 0-10, was far from a disaster considering the ineptitude of their first half display. They only managed two points from play as their tactic of hitting in high ball on top of the forwards yielded very little while their defence lived on their wits.

They were fortunate that Kerry's shooting was badly off as they had twelve first half wides. Kerry had 25 shots at the posts in the first half which was way too much. Many of their wides could have been wides and Offaly were fortunate not to be chasing a big deficit in the second half.

In the wind up, however, the game was won and lost in the first half. With the wind on their backs, Offaly were infinitely better. They continued to play a long game but mixed it up with shorter stuff while there was much more method to the direct ball they hit in. It was more targeted while the forwards moved much better, giving players something to aim at.

There was still three points in it, 0-14 to 0-11 after 37 minutes but even then, it was clear Kerry were in for a backs to the wall exercise. Three points from Eoghan Cahill, one from play had them on level terms, 0-14 each by the 42nd minue. Padraig Boyle's free got Kerry back in front but it was all downhill for them from here.

Offaly took over throughout the field and five points in a row from the 48th to 59th minute put them four clear and in the driving seat. Offaly showed some real quality in this spell with the outstanding Charlie Mitchell, Adrian Cleary, Paddy Clancy and Jason Sampson all picking off good scores from play along with a Cahill free.

Kerry stayed alive with the next two but with the winning post in sight, Offaly went at them again. Another sustained spell of pressure yielded four points on the trot for a 0-23 to 0-17 lead as it went into injury time. Stephen Corcoran made an excellent 74th minute save from Padraig Boyle's snap shot and even though Kerry got the closing two points, Offaly's cushion was more than ample.

The first half made for sobering viewing for Offaly as their attacking play left a lot to be desired. Yet they were in a good position when they went in at half time trailing by just three points, 0-13 to 0-10 after playing into a strong wind.

They were fortunate to be that close as Kerry played most of the hurling but were way too wasteful. The visitors had twelve first half wides, 11 of them in the first 22 minutes and many of them could or should have been points.

At that stage, Offaly were level at 0-6 each and Charlie Mitchell had just got their first point from play after great defensive work by Ciaran Burke. Kerry played some very nice hurling, moving the ball well but their forwards just didn't pull the trigger. Offaly struggled to create anything decent as they persisted in lofting high, aimless ball in.

Kerry hit a golden patch from the 25th to 29th minutes, firing over five points in a row for a deserved lead. Fortunately for Offaly, they steadied the ship before the interval. Eoghan Cahill got three frees and Dara Maher got a good point from play to keep them in it while Kerry lost their touch in inuury time with Shane Conway missing a fairly straightforward looking free.

With the benefit of hindsight, the wind was a five point one and Kerry's half time lead was always going to be insufficient, despite their marked first half dominance.

While it was very much a mixed display by Offaly, it ended up a very decent win. A league final next week does mean they have a hectic schedule of games as they head into the Joe McDonagh Cup but these will also bring players on.

Charlie Mitchell and Ciaran Burke were the standout performers here while Ben Conneely, despite a few uncustomary mistakes, the very hard working Jack Clancy, Cillian Kiely, Adrian Cleary, who showed some great flashes, and David Nally also impressed.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey): Charlie Mitchell gets the nod here from Ciaran Burke. Mitchell was very sharp on the day, getting two points, a few assists and showing great skill. He did the simple thing very well. Ciaran Burke also had an excellent game at full back. He won a huge amount of ball and repelled a lot of Kerry attacks. He was immense when Kerry were at their best in the first half but made a few mistakes on the ball which is why he is edged out by the almost flawless Mitchell.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Eoghan Cahill 0-13 (11f an 1 '65'), David Nally 0-3 (1 sideline), Charlie Mitchell 0-2, Dara Maher, Jason Sampson, Adrian Cleary, Liam Langton and Paddy Clancy 0-1 each.

Kerry: Padraig Boyle 0-8 (7f), Shane Conway 0-4 (4f), Daniel Collins and Jordan Conway 0-2 each, Eoin Ross, Kyle O'Connor, Brandon Barrett 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Stephen Corcoran (Coolderry); Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's), Ciaran Burke (Durrow), Conor Hariman (Kinnitty); Dara Maher (Shinrone), Jason Sampson (Shinrone), Killian Sampson (Shinrone); Jack Clancy (Belmont), Paddy Delaney (Kinnitty); Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Adrian Cleary (Shinrone); Eoghan Cahill (Birr), Shane Dooley (Tullamore), David Nally (Belmont). Subs – David King (Coolderry) for Hardiman (HT), Paddy Clancy (Belmont) for Dooley (48m), Joey Keenaghan (Clodiagh Gaels) for Delaney (64m), Liam Langton (Clodiagh Gaels) for Jack Clancy (67m),

KERRY: John B. O'Halloran; Jason Diggins, Sean Weir, Eoin Ross; Evan Murphy, Michael Boyle, Dan Goggin; Daniel Collins, Jordan Conway; Kyle O'Connor, Fionan Mackessy, Michael Leane; Shane Conway, Daithi Griffin, Padraig Boyle. Subs – Eric Leen for Boyle, inj. (22m), Gavin Dooley for Goggin (HT), Keith Carmody for Weir (45m), Brandon Barrett for Griffin (60m), Cillian Trant for Ross (70m).

Referee – Thomas Gleeson (Dublin).

REFEREE WATCH

Thomas Gleeson had a very good game. There were a handful of debatable decisions but you will always have them in hurling. There were no big issues and he was always in control.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Jason Sampson's fine point after a great break forward in the 59th minute gave Offaly a four point cushion and left Kerry really chasing the game.

VENUE WATCH

The O'Connor Park pitch was in very good condition considering the inclement weather over the preceding days.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly play Kildare in the Division 2 final next weekend.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly – 10 (4 in first half); Kerry – 18 n(12 in first half)

Yellow cards: Offaly – 2 (Cillian Kiely and Shane Dooley); Kerry – 2 (Daniel Collins and Jason Diggins).

Red cards: 0.