DUBLIN 2-11 OFFALY 1-9
Dublin delivered an improved second-half display as they accounted for Offaly by five points in their Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Football Championship 1st round tie at Parnell Park on Saturday lunchtime.
Ultimately, it was two goals from midfielder Aaron Elliot that proved the difference between the sides although Offaly can take encouragement from an impressive showing throughout.
It was the visitors who started the brighter and they enjoyed a two point lead after five minutes thanks to a brace of excellent scores by Dylan Hyland.
Despite Dublin responding through successive points by Callum Pearson and substitute Shane Howard, Offaly were far sharper in the initial stages and they regained their lead through Ryan Heavin’s 11th minute point.
A struggling home side enjoyed a brief lead following scores by Dillon Keating and Howard but the Faithful County ensured a deserved 0-5 to 0-4 interval lead thanks to two points from the towering Ciaran Maher.
Offaly built on that advantage as Shane Tierney added two points within four minutes of the restart but the visitors ceded territory as the half progressed and the Dubs took advantage to level matters through a Keating brace and Pearson.
Elliot struck for his first goal in the 42nd minute after a jinking run by Keating but Offaly replied in kind nine minutes later as substitute Jordan Hayes fired home from Tierney’s pass.
However, the hosts finished in the ascendancy with Elliot netting five minutes from time and further points by Keating and Callaghan confirmed their progression to the second stage.
Scorers for Dublin: A Elliot 2-0, D Keating 0-4 (1f), C Pearson (1f), S Howard, K Callaghan 0-2 each, J Kindlon 0-1.
Scorers for Offaly: J Hayes 1-1, C Maher, S Tierney (1f), D Hyland 0-2 each, R Heavin, J Lowry 0-1 each.
DUBLIN
1. Evan Comerford (Ballymun Kickhams)
2. Darren Byrne (Raheny)
3. Paul O’Hanlon (Na Fianna)
4. Glenn McNamara (Raheny)
5. Conor Kavanagh (Ballymun Kickhams)
6. Brian Howard (Raheny) – Capt
7. Oisin Kelly (Thomas Davis)
8. Donal McIlgorm (Skerries Harps)
9. Aaron Elliot (Ballymun Kickhams)
10. Kevin Callaghan (St Brigid’s)
11. Barra McGarry (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
12. Tom Fox (Kilmacud Crokes)
13. Sean Caffrey (Na Fianna)
14. Callum Pearson (Kilmacud Crokes)
15. Dillon Keating (Ballymun Kickhams)
Subs:
22. Shane Howard (Fingallians) for McGarry (7).
20. Ben Shovlin (Kilamcud Crokes) for S Howard (27).
23. John Kindlon (Castleknock) for Caffrey (45).
24. Colm Hulton (Ballymun Kickhams) for Pearson (61).
OFFALY
1. Kevin Kinahan (Clodiagh Gaels)
2. PJ Daly (Cappincur)
3. Clint Horan (Clodiagh Gaels)
4. Ronan Hynes (Shannonbridge)
5. David Dempsey (Ballycommon)
6. Gavin Smyth (Gracefield)
7. Adam Keyes (Shamrocks)
8. Ciaran Maher (Clonbullogue)
9. Cathal Mangan (Kilclonfert)
10. Dylan Hyland (Raheen)
11. Kyle Higgins (Ferbane)
12. Ryan Heavin (Ferbane)
13. Shane Tierney (Daingean)
14. Shane O’Brien (Clonbullogue)
15. Jack Walsh (Gracefield) – Capt
Subs:
21. Joe Lowry (Ballycumber) for Hyland (39).
22. Jordan Hayes (Edenderry) for O’Brien (44, Black Card).
20. Michael Mooney (Ballinamere) for Higgins (49).
10. Hyland for Maher (54).
Referee Stephen Murphy (Louth)