Much improved display not enough to save battling Offaly from early exit

A VASTLY improved display was not enough to save battling Offaly from an early exit in the Leinster U20 Football Champiionship at Kilcormac's Faithful Fields on Wednesday evening.

Leinster U20 Football Championship Group 1 Round 2

Dublin 2-17

Offaly 1-13

Meath's win over Westmeath means that Offaly can't qualify as one of the top two in the group and are fighting for their pride next Wednesday in Navan. Dublin's 2-17 to 1-13 winning margin flattered them a bit here and does not reflect the great effort Offaly gave. At the same time, it represents another disappointing campaign and Offaly haven't made an impact at this grade since their 2021 All-Ireland U20 win, which is a definite cause for concern.

There was, however, a lot to admire in the way Offaly went about their business here after a poor first round defeat by Westmeath, caused by a particularly deficient first half showing.

They were way better here and while Dublin deserved their win, Offaly were not that far away. 1-9 to 1-8 behind at half time, they went too long in the second half without a score and that is the primary reason they lost. Dublin were 1-15 to 1-8 clear when Kaelem Bryan kicked their first point in the 49^th minute.

Two pointers from impressive subs Billy Quinn and Cillian Foran brought Offaly back into it as they trailed by 1-16 to 1-13 with six minutes left. There was an opening there and Offaly were playing well enough to have a chance but Dublin quickly shut the door with a 55^th minute goal from the superb Paddy Kelly. That took the wind out of Offaly's sails as Conor Melia made a great save from Dylan Kettle and Senan Ryan fisted over the closing point.

A seven point defeat is a seven point defeat but at least Offaly go out with their heads held high and collectively and individually, this was much better by them.

Offaly's first half display was a huge step up from the malfunction that they encountered in their first round loss to Westmeath.

It was clear that they were in a much better frame of mind from the start. Their energy levels were higher, they worked much harder as a unit and their football was a lot more direct and penetrating. They were a beaten docket at half time against Westmeath but went in at the break here trailing by 1-9 to 1-8 and in with a real chance of a season salvaging win.

Offaly started very well and were 0-2 to no score up after five minutes thanks to two Kaelem Bryan points, one from play. They then undid their good work with the concession of a very soft goal as the otherwise very good Jake Maher gave the ball straight to a Dublin player in midfield, they raced straight through the centre and Joe Quigley found the net.

Dublin led by 1-6 to 0-4 after 17 minutes and Offaly were in a spot of bother. They gave away a couple of balls and were struggling for scores from play as three of those points came from Bryan frees. Dublin centre forward Paddy Kelly had run amok with three points and a couple of assists in that opening twenty minutes.

This saw Offaly centre back John Colgan called ashore after 19 minutes and the home side did really well to get back into it before the interval. 1-8 to 0-5 behind after 23 minutes, Offaly got the break they needed with 24^th minute goal. The excellent Dara Bates broke the line at midfield, Niall Furlong and Luke Kelly carried the move on and corner back Jack Daly slotted it to the net.

Goalkeeper Conor Melia had struggled from frees in the first round but had his eye in here. He brought a free back out to attempt and convert a two pointer and also fired over an injury time '45' to keep Offaly firmly in the hunt at the break – Melia also did his primary duty in the first half, making a quality 14^th minute save to deny Paddy Kelly a goal.

A feature of the first half was indiscipline by Dublin players in blocking quick frees and this saw the ball brought into range on three occasions for Offaly, two of them converted and one missed.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Paddy Kelly (Dublin): Paddy Kelly was the outstanding player on the field. He ran the game for most of the first half and even though much tighter marked in the second half, he oozed class and got away for a decisive 1-1: Harry Goulding and Jake Maher occasionally double teamed him and they worked hard to try and limit his influence. Charlie McMorrow and Senan Ryan also played pivotal roles for a decent Dublin side.

Offaly had a much higher volume of good individual displays than their first round defeat, when a good few were below par. Crucially they were much better in the whole midfield sector. Dara Bates was probably their best player, coming out to win ball and run at the defence, though he wasn't as influential in the second half, David O'Rourke was vastly improved from the first game. Switched from centre back to midfield, he worked hard and really tried to drive the team on in the closing quarter. Eoin Dunne was very solid beside him while Brian Carroll did well when introduced.

Christian McKeon did a lot of steady work at full back while wing back, Jake Maher looks to be a very promising prospect. The Ferbane man defended well and was generally good on the ball.

Conor Melia was also very good in goals, making two excellent saves and getting three points from placed balls – he was also off target with a couple.

Kaelem Bryan was the pick of the Offaly forwards as he got on a lot of ball. Niall Furlong had some very good spells while Luke Kelly had his moments before being replaced and Billy Quinn and Cillian Foran injected life into the attack off the bench – Offaly had a few players who never looked like scoring and that was a factor in the defeat.

THE SCORERS

Dublin: Paddy Kelly and Joe Quigley (2f) 1-4 each, Paul Reynolds-Hand (2p), Senan Ryan and Rian Doherty 0-2 each, Charlie McMurrow, Clyde Burke and Pierce Donoghue 0-1 each.

Offaly: Kaelem Bryan 0-5 (4f), Conor Melia 0-3 (1 2p f and 1 '45), Jack Daly 1-0, Billy Quinn (2p) and Cillian Foran (2p) 0-2 each, Niall Furlong 0-1.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Conor Meila (Bracknagh); Jack Daly (Tullamore), Christian McKeon (Clara), Patrick Kenna (Tullamore); Jake Maher (Ferbane), John Colgan (Cappincur), Harry Goulding (Edenderry); David O Rourke (Shamrocks, Captain), Eoin Dunne (Clodiagh Gaels); Steven Doran (Ballinamere), Niall Furlong (Tullamore), Dara Bates (Shamrocks); Cian Bracken (Daingean), Luke Kelly (Doon), Kaelem Bryan (Edenderry). Subs – Jack Maher (Tullamore) for Colgan (19m), Cillian Foran (Edenderry) for Doran (43m), Brian Carroll (Ferbane) for Bracken (43m), Billy Quinn (Rhode) for Kelly (47m), Charlie Keogh (Bracknagh)m for Daly (53m),

DUBLIN: Aaron Lee; Emmet Brady, Darragh Murphy, James Brady; Ryan Mitchell, Charlie McMorrow, Jamie Smith; Stephen Hickey, Senan Ryan; Paul Reynolds-Hand, Paddy Kelly, Clyde Burke; Luke O'Boyle, Pierce Donohue, Joe Quigley. Subs – Rian Doherty for Smith (HT), Shane Mullarkey for Donohue (36m), Dylan Kettle for Reynolds-Hand (50m), James McCormack for Kelly (58m), Oscar Donohue for Burke (61m).

Referee – Colm McCullough.

REFEREE WATCH

Colm McCullough displayed very good awareness of the new rules and refereed it very fairly.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Dublin's first goal from Joe Quigley was soft from an Offaly perspective but it had a big influence on the game at a stage when they were second best.

VENUE WATCH

The longer evenings and Spring sunshine helped Faithful Fields to look at its best, though an East wind meant that it was deceptively cool. There was a smaller crowd than at the opener against Westmeath at the Kilcormac venue – Dublin didn't travel in the same numbers as Westmeath and Offaly also had much less present, in the wake of their first round loss.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly wind down their group games in Meath next week.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly – 7 (3 in first half); Dublin – 6 (5 in first half).

Yellow cards: 0

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0

SEE NEXT: 

https://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/gaa/1767583/brother-of-offaly-hurling-stars-rides-first-winner-at-point-to-point-meeting.html