Dooley’s faith repaid

AT the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening last, Limerick became the first major casualty of the latest version of the All-Ireland qualifying system when they were dumped from the championship by a young and resurgent Offaly side.

While Limerick were only a pale shadow of the side that thrilled hurling supporters last year, this was a superb performance by Offaly, a 180-degree turnaround from the second half flop in their 18-point Leinster semi-final loss to Kilkenny.

“I was very impressed with Offaly,” said Limerick manager Richie Bennis, a sentiment shared by all in the 8,552 attendance. “But we didn’t hurl and made them look good. We conceded two easy goals again, more or less a replica of the Clare match.” All very true on another sad day for Limerick hurling. They weren’t just outgoaled by Offaly, they were outpointed and comprehensively outhurled.

From early on, the signs were there that this could be another major upset. Within five minutes of the throw-in, Offaly scored three points, two from wing-forward Brian Carroll, the third from Shane Dooley, son of Offaly manager, Joe. Limerick came back with points from Andrew O’Shaughnessy, Niall Moran and Donie Ryan, before the first serious breach of the home defence. A long ball from Offaly captain Kevin Brady wasn't cleared and the lurking Joe Bergin first-timed to the net. For the rest of the half Offaly built on that lead. A second goal from big Joe (one of four U21s starting) stepping between two defenders, his close-range strike gave Brian Murray no chance, 2-4 to 0-4 after 21 minutes, a hush descending over the Gaelic Grounds. Seven points were added before the break to two from Limerick and, at 2-11 to 0-6, Offaly were now in control.

Said Joe Dooley: “Joe Bergin’s goals early in the first half gave us a great tonic and we worked hard all over the field.” Carroll, Dooley, Bergin, Derek Molloy, Daniel Currams, with midfielders Rory Hanniffy and Brendan Murphy, wing-back Diarmuid Horan, a good spread of scorers. This was a true team effort by Offaly. Mullins made a couple of good saves, organised his defence superbly, pucked out to good effect; the full-back line of David Franks, David Kenny (magnificent) and Michael Verney, won all the individual battles, as did Brady, Ger Oakley and Diarmuid Horan outside them; Murphy and Hanniffy broke even with Donal O’Grady and Wayne McNamara in midfield, McNamara doing huge work for Limerick; up front, the one man who failed to raise a flag, Joe Brady, had a mighty battle with Brian Geary.

Where this game was won though was that, in contrast to the loss to Kilkenny, where they performed only for the first half, Offaly sustained their effort for the full 70. “Kilkenny are Kilkenny,” Joe Dooley explained, “Look what they did to Wexford last Sunday (19-pt defeat in the Leinster final). But we definitely hurled a lot better today than against Kilkenny, and we probably had our team better positioned as well.”

Limerick did make a bit of a run at them to start the second half, four unanswered points reducing the deficit to seven, but Offaly weren’t about to cave, and a pointed free from young Dooley, followed by Bergin’s third goal, doubling on a Rory Hanniffy line ball, relaxed them and they finished comfortable winners.