Offaly teach Down a lesson

Down 0-14 Offaly 2-21

Leaders Offaly maintained their 100% record in Allianz NHL Division 2 as two second half goals from Shane Dooley helped them account for Down at Ballycran.

After a very competitive opening 35 minutes, the sides turned around at 0-10 apiece.

Down, who are third-from-bottom in the table, had free-taker Paul Braniff to thank for four of their opening points.

Braniff and Simon Wilson pointed in quick succession to edge the Mourne men into a 0-8 to 0-6 lead but Offaly were back on terms by the half-time whistle, with Rory Hanniffy and the influential Brian Carroll both pointing.

But Dooley's goals really took the stuffing out of Down's challenge and missing the likes of Brendan McGourty and Gareth Johnson, who have left Ireland in search of employment, the home side struggled for much of the second period.

The wind advantage also helped Offaly dominate territory. Dooley scored 2-1 in all, with his first goal direct from a close range.

Wilson finished the game as Down's top-scorer (0-5), while Carroll (0-5), Joe Bergin (0-3) and Daniel Currams (0-2) hit some quality points for the visitors.