Surprise as Offaly end Rebels’ march

Offaly 1-9 Cork 0-10

It was a result that didn’t look likely after the opening quarter, as the Munster champions, playing excellent controlled football, scorched into a 0-4 to nil lead.

Offaly looked very mediocre in those opening minutes, but they gradually warmed to their task, and after the sides were level four times in a splendid contest, they finished with two points to claim a notable scalp.

There was no fluke about this exciting victory. Indeed had the Faithful County enjoyed any luck around the Cork square, they might have scored at least two further goals as, for once, the usually dependable Leeside defence, was decidedly shaky.

The Offaly attack, superbly led by centre forward Pauric Duffy and corner forward Ken Casey, caused Cork huge problems and but for some outstanding goalkeeping by Tomas O’Connor and solid defending by Anthony Fenton, they might well have won the game far more convincingly.

Cork couldn’t have asked for a better start with four excellent points in a row, two from David Kearney, and it all appeared to be going according to the script for the Munster champions, after O’Connor saved a penalty from namesake Rory in the 16th minute.

However Offaly began to take control as the half wore on and with Conor Mahon and Rory O’Connor giving them a grip at midfield, they threw the issue wide open in the 22nd minute when the former was on the end of an excellent move to blast home a goal which tied the game for the first time.

Minutes later Offaly were only the thickness of the crossbar away from a second goal when Pauric Duffy’s shot shaved the bar before going over. The same player spurned another goal chance a couple of minutes later when a dreadful mix in the Cork defence let him clear through, but the Cork ‘keeper was quickly off his line to avert the danger. At the break, the Leinster side led 1-4 to 0-6.

Cork took off the out of touch Fiachra Lynch but his partner Alan Barry thundered into the game and two evenly matched sides were level three times by the end of the third quarter.

However for all of Barry’s outstanding efforts at midfield, the Cork attack which saw three of the six first choices withdrawn, could make no impression and with five minutes remaining, the Leinster side led 1-9 to 0-10.

There was still plenty of time for Cork to turn the game around after the fourth official put up his sign for three added minutes.

Urged on by their huge following in the 7,931 attendance, the Rebels stormed the Offaly defence looking for that all important goal in the final moments of the game.

However the Faithful County youngsters held firm for a thrilling victory, helped - it must be said - by a magnificent save by their goalkeeper Dean Bracken from Colm O’Driscoll in injury time.

Scorers: Offaly: K. Casey 0-3 (0-1 free); C. Mahon 1-0; R. Connor 0-2; R. Brady (free), N. Darby, P. Duffy, G. Treacy 0-1 each. Cork: D. Kearney 0-4 (0-2 free); C. O’Neill 0-3 (0-2 free); F. Lynch, B. Daly, A. Fenton 0-1 each.

OFFALY: D. Bracken; K. Higgins, D. Larkin, D. Horan; J. Knight, R. Dalton, G. Grehan; C. Mahon, R. Connor; N. Darby, P. Duffy, S. Lonergan; W. Mulhall, R. Brady, K. Casey. Subs: J. Guinan for Higgins; B. Kelly for Lonergan; G. Treacy for Larkin.

CORK: T. O’Connor; J. O’Callaghan, E. Cotter, C. O’Brien; S. Kiely, M. O’Brien, A. Fenton; F. Lynch, A. Barry; C. O’Driscoll, D. Crowley, R. Kenny; C. O’Neill, D. Scannell, D. Kearney.

Subs: R. O’Dwyer for Kiely; B. Daly for Crowley; D. Goold for Lynch; KJ O’Sullivan for Scannell; D. O’Donovan for Kearney.

Referee: M. Sludden (Tyrone).