Disappointing draw sends Offaly into semi-final date with Kerry

AN equalising point for Kildare well over the stipulated added time denied Offaly a place in the Division 2A National Hurling League final in O'Connor Park on Sunday afternoon.

National Hurling League Division 2A

Offaly 2-17

Kildare 0-23

Instead, Offaly have a home semi-final against Kerry next Saturday with Kildare through to the final. After a gruelling, energy sapping game played in almost constant rain, Offaly would have wanted the extra week's break as they prepare for a tough Joe McDonagh Cup campaign.

Referee Chris Mooney ended up a central figure here, awarding Kildare the free in for James Burke's equaliser with 75.22 minutes on the clock. The free in was awarded after a bad mistake by Offaly goalkeeper Stephen Corcoran. The Coolderry man hestitated in coming for a ball, didn't gathered it cleanly and was then penalised as he fell on it. There was no issue over the free in but four minutes injury time had been announced and the final whistle should have been blown before that late attack.

It was a frantic end to a compelling, fiercely fought game of hurling and Offaly looked to have done just enough to get the win. They had staged a terrific comeback in the closing quarter after staring a very bad defeat in the face at one stage. 0-20 to 0-14 behind after 55 minutes, Offaly looked dead and buried. They had been positively shocking in the first twenty minutes of the second half, not matching Kildare's intensity levels and struggling all over the field.

0-13 to 0-10 up at half time, Offaly were outscored by 0-10 to 0-1 in that devastating twenty minute spell. Kildare were outstanding but Offaly's hurling was very frustrating to watch as their work ethic dipped dramatically, they stood off Kildare players and they were out played to an alarming extent.

Yet they showed great character to come back from that. A 55th minute goal out of nothing from David Nally lit a fuse and suddenly they poured the pressure on. James Burke's free put Kildare back four points ahead but Charlie Mitchell got an excellent second goal in the 59th minute after a super move involving Eoghan Cahill, Shane Dooley and Adrian Cleary. It was now a one point game and it was real end to end stuff from here to the final whistle.

The last ten minutes made for compelling viewing as both sides went at each other with everything they had. Eoghan Cahill's '65' levelled it up at 2-16 to 0-22 in the 66th minute and his free edged them in front on the 70th minute. Both sides missed chances but Offaly defended heroically to keep Kildare at bay, making tremendous blocks and throwing their bodies at the ball. It looked like they had done enough but that last gasp point denied them.

The first half was tame in comparison to the second. Offaly held that 0-13 to 0-10 lead because their forwards were more clinical, taking more of their chances. They were 0-5 to 0-2 up after 12 minutes and full value for that lead. Kildare got going then and three unanswered points had them on terms by the 21st minute.

Offaly led by 0-9 to 0-6 and then 0-12 to 0-7 as they threatened to pull away but Kildare rallied coming up to the interval. They got three of the closing four points to trail by three at half time and set up that rip roaring second half.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jason Sampson (Offaly): Jason Sampson is adapting very well to his new role at centre half back. His reading of the game, his astute use of the ball and his ability to get to the right place is impressing all. He did make a couple of mistakes but he was a key part of a hard working Offaly defence that worked very hard, despite conceding too much and losing their way for 20 second half minutes. Ciaran Burke, Killian Sampson, Eoghan Cahill and Charlie Mitchell also impressed for Offaly while Kildare's stars were Conan Boran, Paul Dolan, James Burke, Declan Flaherty and Cathal Dowling.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Eoghan Cahill 0-11 (9f and 1 '65'), Charlie Mitchell 1-2, David Nally 1-0, Killian Samspon 0-2, Jason Sampson and Cillian Kiely 0-1 each.

Kildare: James Burke 0-10 (9f), Declan Flaherty and Paul Dolan 0-3 each, Gerry Keegan, Cathal Dowling and Conan Boran 0-2 each, Cian Boran 0-1.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Stephen Corcoran; Ben Conneely, Ciaran Burke, Dara Maher; Killian Sampson, Jason Sampson, Joey Keenaghan; Ross Ravenhill, Jack Clancy; David Nally, Cillian Kiely, Adrian Cleary; Eimhin Kelly, Charlie Mitchell, Eoghan Cahill. Subs – David King for Ravenhill (35 +3m), Paddy Clancy for Clancy (39m), Shane Dooley for Kelly (44m), Liam Langton for Kiely (54m), John Murphy for Cleary (66m),

KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Niall O'Muineachain, Simon Leacy, Cormac Byrne; Cian Shanahan, Rian Boran, Conan Boran; Paul Dolan, Cathal McCabe; James Burke, Gerry Keegan, Jack Higgins; Brian Byrne, Cian Boran, Cathal Dowling. Subs – Declan Flaherty for Higgins (31m), Mark Delaney for Cian Boran (65m), Jack Travers for Dolan (68m),

Referee – Chris Mooney (Dublin).

REFEREE WATCH

Both sides will have quibbled at some of the frees given against them and some of them looked very harsh. You would have to see footage to be sure but there was 76 minutes on the clock when James Burke put over the final equaliser, 75.22 when it was awarded. Whatever about playing an additional minute over the extra four, that was too much. The Dubliner was fit, up with play and did get most decisions right but ended up a more pivotal figure in this game than any referee would want. He did allow play to run and didn't dish out soft cards on a difficult day for hurling.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

James Burke's 76th minute equaliser was the big moment here, and a very controversial one at that.

VENUE WATCH

With both sides assured of qualification, there was a small crowd in O'Connor Park. However, the pitch looked good and the game was well hosted.

TALKING POINT

Offaly are clearly working hard and the players want to do well. This game provided fine entertainment but both sides have a lot of work to do to make a good top tier team.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly play Kerry in Tullamore next weekend in the semi-final, probably Saturday with the footballers playing Down on Sunday. Kildare await the winners in the final.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly – 8 (0 in first half); Kildare – 8 (4 in first half).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 1 (Cillian Kiely); Kildare – 1 (Gerry Keegan).

Red cards: 0.