Faithful fight back
And the host county produced a rousing fightback to defeat NHL Division 2 finalists Clare in a challenge match to mark the occasion. Wind aided Clare stormed into a 0-6 to 0-1 advantage after eight minutes with Mark Flaherty (2), David Barrett, Diarmuid McMahon (2) and Jonathan Clancy supplying the scores. Offaly ignited in the 20th minute. Lusmagh ‘keeper Eoin Kelly threaded a short puck out to Dylan Hayden whose delivery saw Derek Molloy feed Brian Carroll and he blasted to the net (1-3 to 0-7). Clare led 0-9 to 1-5 at the interval but Offaly wrapped it up during the opening 11 minutes of the concluding half as they registered points from Carroll (2), Rory Hanniffy, Joe Brady, Dermot Mooney and Molloy. Clare sub Colin Ryan nicked a late goal.
OFFALY: E Kelly; S Egan, P Cleary, J Rigney; D Hayden, D Kenny, D Morkan; R Hanniffy (0-1), K Brady; B Carroll (1-4), J Brady (0-3), J Bergin (0-1); C Parlon, D Molloy (0-2), S Dooley (0-3 frees).
