John Fallon reports from MW Hire O’Moore Park

Offaly 3-10

Cork 0-14

THE OFFALY FOOTBALL revival continues after they deservedly saw off Cork in a thrilling All-Ireland U20 football semi-final in Portlaoise.

Full-forward Jack Bryant led the with a haul of 2-4 to set up an All-Ireland final against either Down or Roscommon.

Offaly, aided by the slight breeze, deservedly led by 1-7 to 0-3 at the interval and should have been much further ahead but they failed to convert a couple of good chances and were also denied a penalty.

The sides were level twice in the opening 13 minutes before Cormac Egan edged Offaly in front after the other corner-forward Aaron Kellaghan appeared to be fouled as he bore down on goal.

Offaly were full of running from deep and full-back Tom Hyland blazed wide with a goal chance after 19 minutes, while Bryant did likewise moments later after he and Egan had dispossessed Cork corner-back Colm O’Donovan.

The Cork defence struggled to contain Offaly and struggled after the sin-binning of wing-back Adam Walsh-Murphy for pulling down Cathal Flynn as he headed for goal.

Offaly outscored Cork by 1-4 to 0-1 while they had the extra man with Byrant shooting home a superb goal into the top right corner four minutes from the break after landing two points just prior to that and they went in leading by seven.

#CORvOFF

An cúl a d'aimsigh Jack Bryant sa chéad leath 👇👇

Have a look at Jack Bryant's first half goal for @Offaly_GAA 👌🏐@EirGrid @GAA_BEO #GAA #GAABEO

BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/7nZpTSuZrJ

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) July 31, 2021

Kellaghan and Bryant extended Offaly’s lead with points inside four minutes of the restart but then Cork came storming back and hit the next five points from David Buckley (two), Colin Walsh, Brian Hayes and Ciarán O’Sullivan to cut the gap to 1-9 to 0-8 after 44 minutes.

Offaly responded with Bryant setting up Cathal Flynn and the wing-forward shot low to the net.

Cork hit back and landed the next three points before Keith O’Neill responded for Offaly to leave it 2-10 to 0-11 with seven minutes remaining.

Cork piled forward and with the Offaly defence forced to foul, David Buckley tapped over three frees to reduce the margin to two points going into the closing stages but Bryant wrapped it up with his second goal after being set up by Egan to spark huge celebrations.

#CORvOFF Lán Ama

Comhghairdeas @Offaly_GAA ! Bhi cluiche teann againn anseo i bPort Laoise 😱😱@EirGrid @GAA_BEO #GAA #GAABEO pic.twitter.com/eGxueSzdPj

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) July 31, 2021

Scorers for Offaly: Jack Bryant 2-4 (0-2f), Cathal Flynn 1-0, Aaron Kellaghan 0-2 (0-1mark), Lee Pearson 0-1, Morgan Tynan 0-1 (f), Cormac Egan 0-1, Keith O’Neill 0-1.

Scorers for Cork: David Buckley 0-5, (0-4f, 0-1mark), Ciarán O’Sullivan 0-4 (1 ’45), Colin Walsh 0-2, Michael O’Neill 0-1 (f), Dara Dorgan 0-1 (f), Brian Hayes 0-1 (’45).

Offaly

1. Sean O’Toole (Shamrocks)

2. Aaron Brazil (Shannonbridge), 3. Tom Hyland (Bracknagh), 4. Lee Pearson (Edenderry)

5. Rory Egan (Edenderry), 6. John Furlong (Tullamore), 7. Fionn Dempsey (Bracknagh)

8. Ed Cullen (Clara), 9. Morgan Tynan (Ballinagar)

10. Cathal Flynn (Ferbane), 11. Oisin Keenan Martin (Tullamore), 12. Cathal Donoghue (Kilcormac-Killoughey).

13. Cormac Egan (Tullamore), 14. Jack Bryant (Shamrocks), 15. Aaron Kellaghan (Rhode)

Subs

23. Keith O’Neill (Clonbullogue) for Kellaghan (blood 8-9)

23. O’Neill for Tynan (46)

24. Cormac Delaney (Clara) for Kellaghan (52)

Cork

1. Gavin Creedon (Kilshannig)

2. Colm O’Donovan (Newcestown), 3. Diarmaid Phelan (Aghada), 4. Conor McGoldrick (Éire Óg)

5. Adam Walsh-Murphy (Valley Rovers), 6. Tommy Walsh (Kanturk), 7. Darragh Cashman (Millstreet)

8. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s), 12. Niall Hartnett (Douglas)

15. David Buckley (Newcestown), 11. Jack Cahalane (Castlehaven), 9. Ciarán O’Sullivan (Kilshannig)

13. Dara Dorgan (Ballincollig), 14. Colin Walsh (Kanturk), 10. Michael O’Neill (Buttevant)

Subs:

24. Seán McDonnell (Mallow) for Dorgan (29)

22. Seán O’Sullivan (Adrigole) for O’Neill (35)

18. Darragh Holland (Argideen Rangers) for Walsh-Murphy (40)

20. Eoghan Nash (Douglas) for Harnett (47)

17. Neil Lordan (Ballinora) for Cashman (47-49)

23. Jack Kelleher (Canovee) for C Walsh (54)

Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo).