Outstanding Offaly march into All-Ireland final after dominant win

Leonard Deane's team booked their place in this year's Minor B All Ireland Final when they overcame Meath in Tang in Westmeath on Sunday afternoon.  

Tesco Ireland Minor B Championship Semi Final

Offaly 1-10
Meath 0-3

While it was bright and dry, the ground was soft which made for a scrappy game.  In a low scoring first half the Offaly backs dealt well with the Meath challenge and restricted them to just 2 points in the first half.  

Cayla Fletcher opened the scoring for Offaly when she hit over a point in the 6th minute and a couple of minutes later, Roisin Kinsella doubled Offaly's tally when she converted a free.  Meath then levelled the scores when the hit their two points without reply but Offaly managed to add two points before the break with Fletcher hitting over from a free and Sarah Freeman scoring from play.

When play resumed it was Meath that got the first point of the half but that was to be their last score of the match and Offaly went on to dominate proceedings.  Chloe Fogarty hit a goal and a point before Molly Hogan and Orla Kilmartin went on to raise white flags for the Faithful side.  Meath were thrown a life line in the 50th minute when they were awarded a penalty but unfortunately for them there were unable to take advantage of the opportunity.

Offaly went on to close the game out with Chloe Fogarty helping herself to a brace of points and Molly Hogan adding another, all coming from play.

In the other semi final which was played at the same venue, an impressive Laois side brushed aside the Kildare challenge comfortably to set up a final between the two neighbouring midland sides.  There is a quick turn around for the counties with the final scheduled to be played next Sunday.

Offaly scorers:  Chloe Fogarty 1-3, Cayla Fletcher 0-2 (1 free), Molly Hogan 0-2, Roisin Kinsella 0-1 (free), Sarah Freeman, Orla Kilmartin 

Offaly team:  Leah Gallagher, Emily Conlon, Ciara Maher, Creagh Lyons, Sarah Fitzgerald, Orlagh Phelan, Hannah Feenane, Caoimhe Darcy, Labhaoise Glynn, Sarah Freeman, Roisin Kinsella, Chloe Fogarty, Orla Kilmartin, Cayla Fletcher, Molly Hogan. Subs:  Eimear Rigney, Faye Mulrooney, Fianait Dooley, Sarah Doherty, Aoife O'Donovan, Grainne Kennedy, Kacey Larkin, Aine Kennedy, Stephanie Mahon, Caoimhe O'Donovan, Aoife Liffey, Caoimhe Quinn, Denise Connors, Katie O'Connell, Caoimhe Ginty, Alannah Dooley, Nicola Cleary