MICKEY HARTE’S BRILLIANT record in league finals in a managerial capacity now has another successful addition.
Offaly claimed Division 3 honours with Jack Bryant and Cormac Egan netting in either half of their meeting with Leinster rivals Kildare today.
Offaly held off Kildare’s late fightback to cut the deficit to two and saw Alex Beirne’s last-gasp attempt for a two-pointer drift wide, as Brian Flanagan’s side sought to force extra-time.
Success was merited for Offaly and maintained the positive vibes since Harte began working alongside Declan Kelly in steering the Faithful fortunes.
Bryant hammered a stunning early goal to the top corner of the net with only four minutes on the clock and that score gave Offaly a strong platform in the opening period. Bryant was excellent in that time frame as he scored 1-3, while Keith O’Neill bagged two first-half points and he later matched that tally in the second half to secure the man-of-the-match honour.
Offaly should have added further goals in the first half but Cormac Egan and Bryant were denied by despairing blocks from Kildare defence.
The Lilywhites did tap into some good scoring form as the first half progressed, kicking five points between the 17th and 29th minutes. James McGrath posted two impressive scores and Alex Beirne was a superb focal point. Yet Offaly countered with a strong finish to the half as Jordan Hayes landed a two-pointer, Bryant and Hayes raised a white flag apiece, and they could reflect on a 1-10 to 0-10 lead at the interval.
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Mickey Harte Offaly joint manager and Cormac Egan. James Lawlor / INPHO
James Lawlor / INPHO / INPHO
Kildare needed something to inject life into their challenge early in the second half. That opening came their way in the 38th minute, Offaly netminder Paddy Dunican misjudging a high delivery and the alert Harry O’Neill stole in to palm the ball to the net.
Niall Kelly fisted over a point moments later to tie the game and Kildare looked in buoyant form.
Yet Offaly’s response was excellent and they produced a few key moments. Shane Tierney fired over a terrific two-pointer from play, Dunican redeemed himself with a brave block to deny Kildare half-time substitute Darragh Kirwan as he approached goal, and Cormac Egan’s incisive run in the 56th minute was capped off by the ball being bundled to the net.
Offaly captain Lee Pearson lifts the trophy. James Lawlor / INPHO
James Lawlor / INPHO / INPHO
Egan’s goal left Offaly in front 2-15 to 1-14, before O’Neill smashed a shot over with the outside of his right and Egan contributed another point. Six points clear and Offaly looked in the driving seat, yet it was no comfortable stroll to success.
Kildare reeled off the last four points of the game, Kirwan to the fore with a trio of scores and fellow substitute Darragh Swords weighed in with another.
Time ran out on their challenge though, Kildare left to rue a series of missed chances throughout the second half.
Scorers for Offaly: Jack Bryant 1-3, Keith O’Neill 0-4, Cormac Egan 1-1, Dylan Hyland 0-2 (0-1f), Shane Tierney 0-2 (1 2pt play), Jordan Hayes 0-2 (1 2pt play), Daire McDaid 0-1, Jack McEvoy 0-1, Cathal Flynn 0-1.
Scorers for Kildare: Alex Beirne 0-5 (0-3f), Harry O’Neill 1-0, Darragh Kirwan 0-3 (0-2f), Cian Burke 0-2 (1 2pt free), James McGrath 0-2, Ryan Houlihan 0-1, Callum Bolton 0-1, Colm Dalton 0-1, Niall Kelly 0-1, Paddy McDermott 0-1, Darragh Swords 0-1.
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Offaly hold off Kildare fightback to be crowned Division 3 football league champions
Offaly 2-17
Kildare 1-18
MICKEY HARTE’S BRILLIANT record in league finals in a managerial capacity now has another successful addition.
Offaly claimed Division 3 honours with Jack Bryant and Cormac Egan netting in either half of their meeting with Leinster rivals Kildare today.
Offaly held off Kildare’s late fightback to cut the deficit to two and saw Alex Beirne’s last-gasp attempt for a two-pointer drift wide, as Brian Flanagan’s side sought to force extra-time.
Success was merited for Offaly and maintained the positive vibes since Harte began working alongside Declan Kelly in steering the Faithful fortunes.
Bryant hammered a stunning early goal to the top corner of the net with only four minutes on the clock and that score gave Offaly a strong platform in the opening period. Bryant was excellent in that time frame as he scored 1-3, while Keith O’Neill bagged two first-half points and he later matched that tally in the second half to secure the man-of-the-match honour.
Offaly should have added further goals in the first half but Cormac Egan and Bryant were denied by despairing blocks from Kildare defence.
The Lilywhites did tap into some good scoring form as the first half progressed, kicking five points between the 17th and 29th minutes. James McGrath posted two impressive scores and Alex Beirne was a superb focal point. Yet Offaly countered with a strong finish to the half as Jordan Hayes landed a two-pointer, Bryant and Hayes raised a white flag apiece, and they could reflect on a 1-10 to 0-10 lead at the interval.
Kildare needed something to inject life into their challenge early in the second half. That opening came their way in the 38th minute, Offaly netminder Paddy Dunican misjudging a high delivery and the alert Harry O’Neill stole in to palm the ball to the net.
Niall Kelly fisted over a point moments later to tie the game and Kildare looked in buoyant form.
Yet Offaly’s response was excellent and they produced a few key moments. Shane Tierney fired over a terrific two-pointer from play, Dunican redeemed himself with a brave block to deny Kildare half-time substitute Darragh Kirwan as he approached goal, and Cormac Egan’s incisive run in the 56th minute was capped off by the ball being bundled to the net.
Egan’s goal left Offaly in front 2-15 to 1-14, before O’Neill smashed a shot over with the outside of his right and Egan contributed another point. Six points clear and Offaly looked in the driving seat, yet it was no comfortable stroll to success.
Kildare reeled off the last four points of the game, Kirwan to the fore with a trio of scores and fellow substitute Darragh Swords weighed in with another.
Time ran out on their challenge though, Kildare left to rue a series of missed chances throughout the second half.
Scorers for Offaly: Jack Bryant 1-3, Keith O’Neill 0-4, Cormac Egan 1-1, Dylan Hyland 0-2 (0-1f), Shane Tierney 0-2 (1 2pt play), Jordan Hayes 0-2 (1 2pt play), Daire McDaid 0-1, Jack McEvoy 0-1, Cathal Flynn 0-1.
Scorers for Kildare: Alex Beirne 0-5 (0-3f), Harry O’Neill 1-0, Darragh Kirwan 0-3 (0-2f), Cian Burke 0-2 (1 2pt free), James McGrath 0-2, Ryan Houlihan 0-1, Callum Bolton 0-1, Colm Dalton 0-1, Niall Kelly 0-1, Paddy McDermott 0-1, Darragh Swords 0-1.
Offaly
1. Paddy Dunican (Shamrocks)
2. Lee Pearson (Edenderry – captain), 3. Aidan Bracken (Ballycommon), 4. Daire McDaid (Tullamore)
5. Rory Egan (Edenderry), 6. John Furlong (Tullamore), 7. Cormac Egan (Tullamore)
8. Jack McEvoy (Clonbullogue), 9. Jordan Hayes (Edenderry)
19. Kyle Higgins (Ferbane), 11. Cathal Flynn (Ferbane), 12. Keith O’Neill (Clonbullogue)
13. Dylan Hyland (Raheen), 14. Jack Bryant (Shamrocks), 15. Shane Tierney (Daingean)
Subs
Kildare
1. Cian Burke (Clane)
2. Harry O’Neill (Clane), 3. Mick O’Grady (Celbridge), 4. Brian Byrne (Naas)
5. Ryan Houlihan (Moorefield), 6. James McGrath (Athy), 7. David Hyland (Athy)
8. Kevin Feely (Athy – captain), 20. Jack McKevitt (Naas)
10. Cathal Hagney (Nurney), 11. Callum Bolton (Sarsfields), 12. Colm Dalton (Sallins)
13. Ryan Sinkey (Naas), 14. Alex Beirne (Naas), 15. Niall Kelly (Athy)
Subs
Referee: Kieran Eanetta (Tyrone)
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GAA Kildare League Offaly Pride