Offaly withstand Kildare challenge

Kildare 1-16 Offaly 2-17

HT: Kildare 0-08 Offaly 2-11

A three-week respite for Offaly proved crucial in Newbridge this afternoon, as a stunning first half performance including two late goals from Pascal Kelleghan and Niall McNamee saw them 2-17 to 1-16 winners against a tired and vanquished Kildare.

Having lost out to Wexford at Croke Park last Sunday, the Lillywhites’ sheer raggedness towards the end of the first half allowed the two half forwards to net for the Faithful.

Mark Daly commanded centre field for the visitors and struck over two out of four points immediately after half time put Offaly thirteen points in front.

The NFL Division 2 champions endured a lull as Kildare came back, with veteran Glen Ryan driving from the back and Dermot Earley shifted to full forward. Substitute Tadhg Fennin grabbed a late 1-3 but with Earley side footing an open-goal chance wide in the square and Padraig Kelly palming Fennin’s injury time penalty out, it was Offaly’s day and only their fourth qualifier win since 2001.

Afterwards manager Gerry Fahy said: "Hats off to Padraig Nolan and Kildare. What they went through last week, to see them come out and put on a great display in the second half is a credit to them. Football is swings and roundabouts and it went our way today. I’m delighted for our players. They seemed to tire but we put in a huge effort for long periods of that game."

"After a poor second half, I think we’ll have to sit down and take stock of where we are,” he added, “we need to improve no doubt, if we’re going to get anywhere in the championship."

Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan)