GAA: Galway through to All-Ireland Voc Schools final

Last year's beaten finalists Galway qualified for the All-Ireland Vocational schools senior hurling final with a decisive victory over a disappointing Offaly side at Loughrea yesterday evening.

Wed, 25 Apr, 2001 - 21:41

Galway 1-13

Offaly 2-2

Last year's beaten finalists Galway qualified for the All-Ireland Vocational schools senior hurling final with a decisive victory over a disappointing Offaly side at Loughrea yesterday evening.

Goals from corner-forwards Derek Dunne and Ronan Devery in the first-half kept Offaly in with a shout but a dominant Galway side led by double scores at the break on a scoreline of 1-9 to 2-0.

Impressive full-forward Kenneth Burke netted his side's goal after 23 minutes on his way to a personal tally of 1-4, with Cathal Dervan, Adrian Cullinane and Robert Murray also impressing.

Offaly had to wait until the 36th minute for their first point and an excellent effort from the right wing by Colin Kenny after 45 minutes was Offaly's only point from play over the hour.

Galway, while always on top, will be disappointed with their second-half display and their wides tally of 13 over the hour will have to be corrected before they meet either Cork or Kerry in the All-Ireland final.

Galway: A. Ryan (Athenry); D. Gibbons (Athenry), R. Murray (Loughrea), P. Murray (New Inn); J. Farrell (Athenry), T. Regan (Loughrea), K. Briscoe (Loughrea) (0-1); P. Dolan (New Inn), T. Tierney (Loughrea); N. Cahalan (Loughrea), C. Dervan (Loughrea) (0-4, one free, one 65), A. Cullinane (Athenry) (0-2); N. Healy (Loughrea) (0-2), K. Burke (Loughrea) (1-4), J. Brady (Athenry).

Subs: T. Smith (Athenry) for P. Murray, half-time; B.Cullinane (Athenry) foir Brady, 52 mins; J. Rooney (Athenry) for A. Cullinane, 59 mins.

Offaly: S. McDonald (Tullamore); R. Hynes (Banagher), P. Healion (Kilcormac), T. Bennett (Banagher); T. Darcy (Tullamore), S. Weir (Tullamore), M. Pardy (Banagher); N. Corcoran (Banagher), P. Thornton (Tullamore) (0-1, free); C. Kenny (Banagher) (0-1), G. Healiion (Kilcormac), K. Claffey (Banagher); R. Devery (Banagher) (1-0), K. Kelly (Banagher), D. Dunne (Banagher) (1-0).

Subs: D. Dervan (Banagher) for Claffey, 51 mins; E. Corcoran (Banagher) for Dunne, 52 mins.

Referee: A. Flaherty (Roscommon).