Group C
Offaly claimed their third successive win in the O’Byrne Cup yesterday to ensure they topped the group.
The latest success arrived in Mullingar with a hard-fought 0-8 to 0-7 win over Westmeath.
It was a superb comeback success for Offaly after Westmeath, inspired by key marksmen Dessie Dolan and Denis Glennon, lead by 0-6 to 0-2 at half-time.
Niall McNamee helped Offaly draw level during the second-half and while Paul Bannon edged Westmeath back in front once more, it was Ross Brady who tied the sides at 0-7 apiece in the 57th minute. And then Paul McPadden popped up with the match-winner for Offaly with only two minutes remaining.
The result meant the runaway 2-21 to 0-13 win that Laois enjoyed against Athlone IT in Portarlington was immaterial as Justin McNulty’s side were unable to force their way into the knockout stages.
Laois were far too strong for their third-level opponents with a Mark Timmons goal helping them lead by 1-12 to 0-5 and then Gary Walsh raised their second green flag after half-time
Westmeath’s Doran Harte tackles Alan McNamee of Offaly. Pic:INPHO/Cathal Noonan
Group D
A last-gasp goal from Morgan O’Flaherty helped Kildare maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they defeated Wexford by 1-13 to 1-11 in St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge this afternoon.
The Carbury fired a left-foot shot to the net in the 74th minute of the match after moments previously Wexford’s Shane Roche crashed home a goal that looked set to give his side an improbable victory.
Wexford had trailed by 0-11 to 0-4 midway through the second-half and they were staring at a 0-13 to 0-7 deficit with ten minutes remaining.
But they strung together four points on the trot from Craig Doyle, PJ Banville and a brace from Roche before they raised the first green flag of the game. Yet Kildare rescued themselves with O’Flaherty’s goal for a victory that they ultimately deserved.
Kildare lead by 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval and overall were grateful to the experience of John Doyle who shot 0-7, the free-taking of Mikey Conway as he contributed 0-3 and the impact of newcomer Cathal McNally who kicked 0-2.
The result means Kildare now go forward to the semi-final stage next week after their third successive win in this competition.
The other game in the group was inconsequential today but Dublin IT did manage a victory ahead of their Sigerson Cup campaign when they defeated Carlow IT by 0-15 to 1-10.
