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.
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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.
O'Byrne Cup: Offaly to meet Kildare in last four
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.
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.
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.
In pictures: Our favourite images from this weekend’s Gaelic football
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GAA Gaelic Football Kildare O'Byrne Cup Offaly qualified Westmeath Wexford