Offaly miss out on Division 4 League final as Carlow prove too strong

CARLOW have secured a place in the final of the Division 4 National Football League after their 4-11 to 2-8 victory away to Offaly on Sunday, as promotion to Division 3 is now just 60 minutes away. 

Lidl National Football League Division 4 Semi Final

Carlow 4-11

Offaly 2-8

A dominant display over the course of the 60 minutes from Ed Burke’s side confirmed their victory by nine points and they were fully deserving of the win as Offaly just couldn’t get close enough to mount a challenge to swing the result in their direction.  

Playing with a strong breeze in the first half, Carlow made full use of it as they led by 3-7 to 1-2, with a superb two pointer from Clíodhna Ní Shé one of the scores of the game, along with three excellent goals, coming from the boots of Caoimhe O’Neill, and Aibha Kiernan. The movement in the forward line, combined with some expert defending from the likes of Siofa O’Neill and Niamh Forde in particular were crucial for Carlow in their dominance of the overall opening 30 minutes, with Offaly not able to match the speed and strength of Carlow, and were quite fortuitous to score their first goal as a free which dropped short from Emma Hand landed into the path of Caoimhe Lynan and the St Manchan’s woman buried her effort as Offaly looked to start a comeback. 

A mixture of poor decision making and shooting made things tricky for Offaly to close the gap to Carlow as they ended the half with only three scores in total, albeit facing a strong breeze which wasn’t simple to play in.

Offaly came out for the second half and began to close the gap and even got it back to six points as four frees on the bounce from Lynan and Emma Hand were added following Lynam’s second goal of the game after the 33rd minute. 

Carlow’s Bronagh Nolan and Edel Hayden both added points that helped steady their side. When Ní Shé missed a straightforward free, it handed the initiative to Offaly. The midlanders came agonisingly close to getting back into the contest when Buckley broke through, but Carlow goalkeeper Nicole Hanley reacted brilliantly, diving to her left to smother the shot.

Carlow managed to steady the ship and keep hold of possession for the final 10 minutes and eventually sealed the win with Aoibhin Webb shooting over a fine score, before Ní Shé converted a penalty in stoppage time to seal their place in the decider and condemn Offaly to another season of Division 4 football. 

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MATCH ANALYSIS

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

SARA DOYLE (Carlow): Sara Doyle is the player of the match despite only scoring 0-1, her overall play and her usage of the ball was top class as she got the better of the Offaly defence throughout the game and caused all sorts of problems and headaches, as well as contributing assists to scores including the second goal. 

Roisin Bailey and Caoimhe O’Neill were solid in the middle of the park, as was Cliodhna Ni She in the second half. 

Caoimhe Lynan kept the scoreboard ticking over for Offaly, with Nicole Buckley also impressing at corner back with many darting runs up the field and being heavily involved in the build ups. 

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Caoimhe Lynan 2-4 (4frees), Michele Mann 0-2, Nicole Buckley and Emma Hand (1free) 0-1 each.

Carlow: Aibha Kiernan 2-0, Clíodhna Ní Shé 1-3 (1-0 pen, 1 2ptf, 1free), Caoimhe O’Neill 1-0, Bronagh Nolan and Edel Hayden 0-2 each, Róisín Bailey, Sara Doyle, Megan Townsend and Aoibhin Webb 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

Offaly: Lauren Dunne (Rhode); Saoirse McGuinness (St Manchan’s), Fiona Dempsey (Naomh Maloise), Nicole Buckley (Naomh Ciarán); Meabh Rouse (Tullamore), Emma Maher (Naomh Ciarán), Anna Grehan (Naomh Ciarán); Róisín Ennis (Naomh Ciarán), Róisín Mealiff (Ballinamere/Durrow); Faith McDermott (Ballinamere/Durrow), Marie Byrne (St Conleth’s), Emma Hand (Ballinamere/Durrow); Caoimhe Lynam (St Manchan’s), Saorah Doyle (Ballinamere/Durrow), Michele Mann (C) (Naomh Maloise). Subs- Ava Dolan (Shamrocks) for Maher (HT), Tara Tyrell (Edenderry) for Grehan (44m), Eve Kelly (Clara) for Doyle (54m), Brooke McDermott (Ballinamere/Durrow) for McGuinness (54m), Hannah Doolan (St Manchan’s) for Dempsey (61m, inj). 

Carlow: Nicole Hanley (Old Leighlin); Aoife Carroll (Kildavin Clonegal), Anne Roche (Old Leighlin), Siofra O’Neill (Old Leighlin); Aoibhin Webb (Bennekerry/Tinryland), Niamh Forde (Old Leighlin), Ruth Bermingham (Bennekerry/Tinryland); Róisín Bailey (C) (St Anne’s), Caoimhe O’Neill (Old Leighlin); Edel Hayden (Éire Óg), Clíodhna Ní Shé (Bennekerry/Tinryland), Amy Hanley (Old Leighlin); Megan Townsend (Éire Óg), Sara Doyle (St Brigid’s), Aibha Kieran (St Brigid’s). Subs– Bronagh Nolan (Old Leighlin) for Bermingham (HT), Kate Burke (Old Leighlin) for Hayden (44m).

Referee - Angela Gallagher, Meath.

REFEREE WATCH

Angela Gallagher took charge of the game and overall had a steady game, with a few decisions debatable, particularly in the favour of Offaly on a few occasions, but she also did good in stopping the game when needed due to head collisions and other injuries which occurred throughout the game. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Caoimhe O’Neill’s 6th minute goal was a beautiful finish and it established Carlow as firm favourites for the encounter and was the boost they needed to kick on from the early stages and thus allowing them to take control of proceedings and ultimately be the winning team on the day. 

VENUE WATCH

Portarlington was the host venue on a sunny and windy Sunday, the pitch was in good condition and there were plenty of stewards on hand and refreshments on hand which was an added bonus to supporters enjoying the game.

WHAT'S NEXT

Carlow go into the final of Division 4 with a chance to secure promotion to Division 3, while Offaly now turn their attention to a meeting with Carlow in the Championship. 

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly –  10 (6 in first half); Carlow – 4 (4 in first half).

Yellow cards: 0

Red cards: 0