Offaly answer knockers in style
In front of a crowd of 3,300, at least two thirds of which were supporting the visitors, Offaly put their Leinster Championship defeat to Wexford behind them to shock their Ulster visitors. The home side had been written off going into the game and they had come in for some stinging criticism, most notably from RTÉ hurling analyst and former county start, Michael Duignan who publicly questioned their discipline, commitment and pride in the Offaly jersey. The players answered their knockers with a stunning display which came as no surprise to manager Tom Cribbin.
He said: “That’s the best football they’ve played under me. I knew it was in them and I could see that and it was just about getting it out of them. We got the breeze in the first-half and that was important as we need to stay in the game early and then stay ahead. We have a young team and that gives them the confidence to perform at a different level.”
This was the first championship meeting between the sides and after just 18 minutes Offaly seemed to be well on their way to victory as they raced into a seven points lead.
Monaghan, who lost out narrowly to Tyrone in the Ulster Championship, fought back to draw level after half an hour but the hosts dug deep one again, to hit the front for a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“Monaghan are a quality side and they had to come at us at some stage,” continued Cribbin.
“They have quality players and in a way it was brilliant that they got back level because it tested us.
“We stood up and just kept going and they needed that for themselves. Confidence wise we are going forward.”
Offaly led 0-3 to 0-1 after 12 minutes before Niall McNamee rifled the ball to the roof of the Monaghan net to extend the home side’s lead after good work from Karol Slattery and Richie Dalton.
Midfielder Dalton also pitched in with three points in a fine display and alongside partner Niall Smith controlled the centre sector for the majority of the game.
Playing with the breeze, Offaly were 1-5 to 0-1 clear after 19 minutes but in the next ten minutes Monaghan produced an awesome spell, firing home 1-5. Christopher McGuinness scored the goal on 26 minutes after being put through by Bernard O’Brien, while wing-backs Owen Duffy and Neil McAdam combined for three points.
Monaghan were playing with pace and precision and looked set to push on. However, Offaly stopped their charge to take the lead at the break after points from Stephen Lonergan and the evergreen Ciaran McManus.
Offaly were in a similar position at half-time last year against eventual All-Ireland finalists Down but conceded 1-3 and never recovered. There was no repeat of that Saturday as they kicked the first five points after the restart to storm seven clear. Monaghan welcomed Ciaran Hanraty back as a second-half substitute after a lengthy absence but even his introduction and that of Vincent Corey could not swing the game back their way.
They briefly threatened a revival around the hour mark managing to get back within five, but Offaly were not to be denied and they kicked four of the last five points to round off a comfortable win.
Scorers for Offaly: N McNamee 1-4; C McManus 0-4 (0-3f); R Dalton 0-3; S Lonergan 0-2; B Allen 0-1; N Darby 0-1; K Casey 0-1; R Brady (0-1f); D Egan 0-1.
Scorers for Monaghan: C McGuinness 1-0; P Finlay 0-2 (0-1f); C McManus 0-2 (0-1f); O Duffy 0-2; N McAdam 0-2; B O’Brien 0-1; C Hanraty 0-1.
Subs for Offaly: P Bracken for K Casey (50); S Ryan for K Slattery (62); D Egan for B Allen (62) Subs for Monaghan: C Hughes for D Clerkin (ht); C Hanraty for D McKenna (52); B McKenna for C McGuinness (63); V Corey for Mark Downey (63).
Referee: Syl Doyle (Wexford).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
