Déise trio to miss 1B final as Offaly query Mahon red

"It wasn't a red card for us but that's what happened. This is the way they're clamping down. It's just unfortunate for such a good young man and a good player that he has to see red for that."

Sun, 23 Mar, 2025 - 15:25

Tomás McCarthy, Walsh Park

Allianz NHL Division 1B: Waterford 0-22 Offaly 1-11

Waterford trio Conor Prunty, Austin Gleeson and Kevin Mahony will all sit out the Division 1B final against Offaly.

"They're probably not going to be back for the league final but they're not long-term injuries," Déise boss Peter Queally revealed on Saturday evening. "They should be ok for five weeks' time. Hamstring and soft tissue injuries. They should be ok in about three week's time."

Before a crowd of 2,294, twelve Stephen Bennett points and a Billy Nolan penalty save saw Queally's charges shrug off 14 man Offaly in wretched weather and secure 1A hurling for 2026. Waterford rebounded from a first round loss against Carlow to record five straight league wins. "It was a tough campaign. We got off to a shaky start in Dr Cullen Park. We're thrilled to turn it around, win our five games and get back up to Division 1."

Queally would like to see the decider played at Croke Park. "There's plenty of lads in that dressing room who have never played in Croke Park. That's where everyone wants to play. We'll see what happens."

Offaly boss Johnny Kelly was frustrated with the straight red card for James Mahon after 24 minutes for a challenge on Gavin Fives. "I saw it straight away. We spoke to the officials on the sideline but basically I was told I was foolish and I shouldn't be bringing it up. It wasn't a red card for us but that's what happened. This is the way they're clamping down. It's just unfortunate for such a good young man and a good player that he has to see red for that."

He is unsure about an appeal as of yet. "I don't know. We'll have to talk to other people about that and see." He hopes to have Cathal King available for the league final.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, a Brian Duignan goal and four Killian Sampson points put Kelly's men two up three minutes into the second half.

Stephen Bennett struck the next three points but Offaly were awarded a penalty when Waterford goalkeeper Billy Nolan charged into Charlie Mitchell. Nolan made amends by deflecting Duignan's penalty over the bar with a full length save. A moment that lifted both the home crowd and the home team. The 15 men hit the last eight points of a scrappy contest. "It was a tremendous save," Queally remarked. "A top class goalie in fairness to him."

All Star defender Tadhg De Burca, playing his first inter county match in 10 months, slotted back in seamlessly at number six. "He wasn't too bad was he? He is a colossus. Even just his presence in the dressing room. I might be over the team, Dan might be a selector but we all look up to Tadhg. He was outstanding for us today."

Scorers for Waterford: Stephen Bennett 0-12 (8fs), P Leavey, T De Burca, J Barron, J Prendergast, D Hutchinson, Shane Bennett, G Fives, T Barron, C Treen, P Fitzgerald 0-1 each.

Scorers for Offaly: B Duignan 1-4 (2fs, 0-1 pen), K Sampson 0-4, D Bourke, C Mitchell, T Guinan 0-1 each.

WATERFORD: B Nolan; C Ryan, M Fitzgerald, G Fives; P Leavey, T De Burca, K Bennett; C Sheahan, D Lyons; Stephen Bennett, J Barron, J Prendergast; P Curran, D Hutchinson, Shane Bennett

Subs: P Hogan for Sheahan (40), T Barron for Lyons (51), S Walsh for Curran (57), C Treen for Shane Bennett (62), P Fitzgerald for K Bennett (65).

OFFALY: M Troy; B Conneely, C Burke, J Mahon; R Ravenhill, D Shirley, J Sampson; C Spain, K Sampson; D Nally, D Bourke, O Kelly; T Guinan, C Mitchell, B Duignan

Subs: DJ McLoughlin for Nally (HT), L Watkins for Mitchell (48, Blood), D King for Kelly (51), E Cahill for Guinan (62), P Taaffe for Conneely (67), E Burke for Spain (72).

Referee: J Murphy (Limerick)