Carlow comeback falls short as Offaly progress

Offaly boss John Maughan: The basic fundamentals were a problem for us'

Bernard Allen of Offaly celebrates after scoring his side's third goal. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Leinster SFC: Offaly 3-14 Carlow 0-20 

Offaly may have looked in control for large parts of this Leinster championship opener but in the end, Fergal Kelly’s full-time whistle couldn’t come quick enough as they almost let an eight-point lead slip to a gallant Carlow comeback.

The few minutes either side of the second-half water break proved crucial with Bernard Allen kicking 1-1 just before it to push Offaly clear while Paul Broderick blazed a penalty over the bar for Carlow just after it.

Speaking after the game, Offaly boss John Maughan was left disappointed despite claiming the win that puts them in a quarter-final against Kildare next Sunday evening.

“We were seven points up at one stage in the second half and we were cruising but the basic fundamentals were a problem for us and it was an aspect of our game that I would be extremely disappointed with.

“We left the door open for Carlow. They hung in there and were very brave, they had nothing to lose and all the pressure was on us.” Niall McNamee found the net for Offaly’s first score of the game after just two minutes but Carlow were attacking well with Chris Blake and Ros Dunphy causing the Offaly defence problems.

A second goal from Jordan Hayes straight after the first half water break helped keep Offaly in front but with five minutes to half time, the sides were level before points from Anton Sullivan, Bernard Allen and Niall McNamee pushed them out to lead 2-6 to 0-9 at the break.

Eoin Ruth left a goal behind him early in the second half but with Paul Broderick to the fore, Carlow did get it back to a three-point game with 20 minutes to play.

Carlow’s Paul Broderick with Ruari McNamee and Anton Sullivan of Offaly. Picture: INPHO

Then came that frantic period either side of the water break with Offaly coming out of it leading 3-10 to 0-13.

Both sides missed goal chances throughout the game and will feel they should have done better with Offaly boss Maughan under no illusions about how much they have to improve.

A Cathal Mangan point for Offaly on 58 minutes put them 3-13 to 0-14 ahead but Carlow rattled off the next six points to bring it back to a two-point game before Cian Farrell, back on the field after his black card sealed the deal for Offaly with the last score of the game.

Carlow manager Niall Carew was left to rue their missed chances but is already gearing up for preparations for next year’s league.

“I would be hoping that we would get back training in two weeks' time for pre-season and there are a few other lads in Carlow I would like to look at as well.”

Offaly: B Allen 1-4 (0-1f and 0-1 mark), N McNamee 1-2 (0-1f), C Farrell 0-4 (0-2f and 0-1 ‘45’), J Hayes 1-0, A Sullivan 0-2, P Cunningham and C Mangan 0-1 each.

Carlow: P Broderick 0-8 (0-5f, 0-1 ‘45’ and 0-1 pen), C Blake 0-3, E Ruth, D Foley (free), R Dunphy, J Morrissey, J Clarke, J Murphy, S Bambrick, C Hulton and D Murphy (free) 0-1 each

Offaly: P Dunican; D Hogan, E Rigney, N Darby; E Carroll, J Moloney, C Doyle; A Leavy, J Hayes; S Horan, R McNamee, A Sullivan; B Allen, P Cunningham, N McNamee.

Subs: C McNamee for J Hayes inj (21m), C Mangan for S Horan inj (24m), C Farrell for A Leavy (30m), J O’Connor for C Doyle (54m)

Carlow: R Molloy; S Bambrick, M Bambrick, J Moore; J Morrissey, M Furey, J Murphy; S Gannon, D Foley; D O’Brien, R Dunphy, E Ruth; C Crowley, C Blake, P Broderick.

Subs: J Clarke for C Crowley (47m), D Murphy for E Ruth (52m), D Walshe for D Foley (56m), C Hulton for D O’Brien (62m)

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford)