THE SEMI-FINAL LINE-UP is complete for this year’s Walsh Cup but Offaly won’t be featuring in the last four, despite their win over Kildare this afternoon.
Needing to defeat the Lilywhites by at least six points to guarantee their progression, the Faithful County could only manage a 2-22 to 2-20 victory today in Hawkfield.
Offaly, who hit the net early on through Sean Cleary, held an eight-point lead at one stage during the first half. But aided by a couple of Mark Delaney goals, Kildare fought back to reduce the gap to a point at half-time (1-12 to 2-8).
Kildare led for most of the second half until Cleary got his second goal with six minutes of normal time remaining. The Lilywhites responded with a couple of points to move back into the ascendancy, before Offaly scored three without reply to seal the win. Nevertheless, they came up four points short of reaching the semi-finals.
As a result, their superior points difference means that IT Carlow — who defeated Meath earlier this week — will move on to a meeting with Galway next Sunday at the penultimate stage of the competition.
The Tribesmen advance at the expense of Laois, who they defeated by 1-19 to 0-16 today in Rathdowney. The game’s only goal came courtesy of Joe Cooney in the first half.
Next Sunday’s other semi-final will be a meeting of Wexford and Kilkenny. Wexford confirmed their progression with a three-point win against Dublin on Thursday night. Thanks to two goals each from Walter Walsh and Jonjo Farrell, Kilkenny ran out 4-18 to 0-18 winners over Westmeath at Cusack Park this afternoon.
In today’s other Walsh Cup fixture, Antrim defeated DCU by 6-17 to 1-22. In the Kehoe Cup, Maynooth University had a 7-26 to 1-15 win against Longford, while Wicklow recorded a 5-31 to 2-7 victory over IT Tallaght.
Walsh Cup
Antrim 6-17 DCU 1-22
Kildare 2-20 Offaly 2-22
Laois 0-16 Galway 1-19
Westmeath 0-18 Kilkenny 4-18
Kehoe Cup
Wicklow 5-31 IT Tallaght 2-7
Longford 1-15 7-26 Maynooth University
