Decies destroyed but get unexpected lifeline

Offaly 3-14 Waterford 0-15

Yet within seconds of the final whistle came the confirmation that they were through to a quarter-final showdown with Limerick next Sunday, Cork’s defeat by Clare throwing them an unexpected lifeline. However, their inept display scarcely merited such a reward, and raised many question marks over their championship credentials.

Throughout the field, Offaly outplayed and outfought aimless Waterford and an eight point winning margin scarcely reflected the winners’ dominance over the 70 minutes.

It was a disaster day on other fronts as well for Waterford who ended the game with 14 players following the straight red card for Eoin Kelly in the 58th minute for a reckless pull on Offaly centre-forward Mick O’Hara.

Kelly had been playing superbly, one of only a handful of players performing to their ability. Four sweetly struck points from play mirrored the quality of his display but then it all went horribly wrong in what can only be termed a moment of madness.

Kelly is now facing the prospect of a suspension that will rule him out of the remainder of the league campaign and most probably, the Munster championship semi-final on June 4.

His departure from the field was also less than dignified and led to some missile throwing both in the direction of the stand and the Waterford dug out.

All credit to an unfancied Offaly outfit and manager John McIntyre was fulsome in his praise: “I asked them to give it their best shot and they certainly did that,” said McIntyre. “This result could be the making of our team although we must ensure that we keep our feet on the ground”.

Now a mouthwatering league quarter-final against his native Tipp awaits McInytre’s team next Sunday, a game he admits he is eagerly looking forward to: “Perhaps the counties might consider tossing for the venue which we certainly will be prepared to do,” he added.

Offaly served early notice of intent when teenage full forward and man of the match Joe Bergin slotted over two great points to begin a torrid day for his marker James Murray. Waterford responded with a brace of pointed frees from Paul Flynn but they had to wait all of 26 minutes before registering their first score from play.

By then however, rampant Offaly had eased six points clear, thanks in the main to a wonderful Bergin goal in the 19th minute. Brilliantly fielding Alan Egan’s centre, Bergin rounded Murray with ease and rifled the ball home from close range.

Goalkeeper, Clinton Hennessy, rescued Waterford with a great stop from another Bergin rocket in the 25th minute, and a bad situation would have been even worse had it not been for the brilliance of Ken McGrath and Brian Phelan in the heart of the beleaguered Waterford defence.

But worse it did get, with Brian Carroll rifling over points from placed balls in the 27th and 28th minutes and they were left with a mountain to climb when Brendan Murphy passed to Egan, who again rattled the net from close range.

A commanding 12 points to the good at half time, 2-10 to 0-4, it was going to take something rather special to get Waterford back into the game. To their credit, they did up the tempo for a brief spell and two Kelly points inside four minutes briefly raised hopes of a spectacular fight back.

“It was never really going to happen however,” Waterford manager, Justin McCarthy said.

“The fact is that Offaly turned in a five star display and in contrast we were way below par.

“They got the bit between their teeth and never looked like letting go. We can have no argument about the result.”

The outcome was put to rest nine minutes into the half when Offaly grabbed their third goal. Bergin was again the scorer, superbly fielding Gary Hanniffy’s delivery and racing 30 metres before lashing an unstoppable ball past Hennessy.

At the other end of the field, the close marking Offaly defenders completely shut out the much vaunted Waterford attack with Rory Hanniffy superb in the pivotal role and 19 year old Paul Cleary oozing confidence at full back.

Then came the Kelly sending off to add to Waterford’s woes.

Scorers: Offaly: J. Bergin 2-3, B. Carroll 0-5 (0-3f, 0-1 65), A. Egan 1-0, G. Hanniffy 0-2, D. Hayden 0-2, M. O’Hara, A. Hanrahan 0-1 each. Waterford: P. Flynn 0-7 (0-6f), E. Kelly 0-5 (0-1f), K. McGrath 0-2 (frees), G. O’Connor 0-1.

OFFALY: S. O’Connor, B. O’Meara, P. Cleary, D. Franks, K. Brady, R. Hanniffy, D. Tanner, G. Hanniffy, M. Cordial, D. Hayden, M. O’Hara, B. Murphy, B. Carroll, J. Bergin, A. Egan.

Subs: D. Murray for Egan (inj) 52 mins, A. Hanrahan for Cordial 60 mins, G. Oakley for Brady 62 mins, C. Parlon for Carroll 68 mins, P. Molloy for G. Hanniffy 69 mins.

WATERFORD: C. Hennessy, D. Coffey, J. Murray, T. Feeney, B. Phelan, K. McGrath, E. Murphy, E. Kelly, J. Hartley, D. Shanahan, J. Kennedy, M. Walsh, J. Mullane, S. Prendergast, P. Flynn.

Subs: T. Browne for Feeney 33 mins, E. McGrath for Shanahan 33 mins, S. O’Sullivan for Hartley 52 mins, G. O’Connor for Kennedy 52 mins.

Referee: P. O’Connor (Limerick).