Offaly humble high-flying Dubs

Offaly 3-19 Dublin 1-18

Dublin, the recent conquerors of Tipperary, were brought back down to earth by a hard-working Offaly side in Tullamore this afternoon.

Joe Dooley's troops delivered a magnificent display against their Leinster rivals, capped by Shane Dooley's contribution of 2-10.

Liam Rushe's second-minute goal edged Dublin ahead but Joe Bergin and Dooley netted for the hosts and the sides were level at 2-9 to 1-12 at half-time.

The Dubs opened the second half well but Offaly regained the initiative and impressively garnered their first league win.

Anthony Daly's men got off to a flying start when Joey Boland and 2009 All-Star Alan McCrabbe linked up and the latter found the inrushing Rushe with an angled pass that the young forward sent to the net with a low, stinging shot.

But Dublin could not transfer their dominance of possession into points and and Offaly fought back to lead by 1-4 to 1-1, growing in stature as the first half wore on.

Kevin Brady cracked a shot off the crossbar but Bergin followed up to bulge the net, four minutes in, and a McCrabbe free preceded a string of Offaly scores - there were further points from Dooley and Brian Carroll and Daniel Currams also found his range.

Dooley snuck through for Offaly's second goal, midway through the half, when a quick turnover of possession led to Rory Hanniffy dangling the ball in for the Tullamore man to chase, collect and rasp home a crisp finish.

However, Dublin responded well and scored seven of the first half's final eight points to level the game by the break. Midfielder Johnny McCaffrey was most impressive with five scores and Shane Durkin also chipped in with two.

McCrabbe kept his side on track, after the restart, with three successive points - two of them frees - and following Dooley's second goal, Offaly's impressive teamwork saw them outhurl the visitors.

Dooley took his tally to 2-6 when he again exposed a lacklustre Dublin full-back line with his pace and anticipation and beat goalkeeper Gary Maguire from close range.

One particular statistic sums up how the home side took control - the wind-backed Faithfuls scored 1-7 without reply between the 47th and 70th minutes.

Dooley could even afford to have a penalty effort turned around the post and there was no comeback from the well-beaten Dubs, who had wing-back Maurice O'Brien sent-off for his second bookable offence in the 65th minute.