Defensive heroics earn relieved Offaly tilt at Meath after narrow victory in Leinster Championship opener

WITH a surprisingly small crowd present, there was almost an anti-climatical feel to Sunday's Leinster Senior Football Championship tussle between Offaly and Longford in Pearse Park. That didn't bother either side who went about their business in a very focused manner with Offaly holding on for dear life to edge a real tight game by a solitary point.

Leinster Senior Football Championship first round

Offaly 1-12
Longford 1-11

It was every bit as tight as the final scoreline suggests and Longford will be kicking themselves that they didn't force extra time. Only a point separated the sides in the league game here a few weeks ago and history repeated itself here with Longford attacking deep in injury time but once again not taking a shot on.

It was bizarre to see them passing the ball around with over two minutes above the allotted five minutes of announced injury time played and referee Sean Hurson quite rightly blew the final whistle on them.

That league game in Longford was Liam Kearns' last game in charge with his sudden death a week later devastating the squad and fellow management members. It was another dog eat dog battle and Offaly won thanks to defensive heroics.

Their defence was quite brilliant on the day, turning over an abundance of ball and tackling very efficiently. A particularly praise worthy aspect of this was that they conceded very few frees within range and the defence was certainly the primary reason Offaly won. Even when Longford were attacking deep in injury time, they shadowed them very well and didn't leap in or concede a soft free.

With Offaly opting not to push up on Longford goalkeeper Patrick Collum's kickouts, they invited Longford on quite a bit, especially in the second half. However, they displayed a great work ethic all over the field to set up a tilt at Meath in a couple of weeks time in Tullamore.

Peter Cunningham was brilliant in the heart of the Offaly defence, storming forward to score a decisive goal and a point but all his colleagues at the back stood up to be counted. Lee Pearson oozed class, a huge amount of ball went through Ciaran Donnelly's hands; Declan Hogan and David Dempsey did their primary job of defending so well, doing the simple thing at all times while Rory Egan came to his own in the second half.

Without setting the world on fire, Jack McEvoy and Conor McNamee ensured Offaly held their own in a midfield sector where Darren Gallagher was immense for Longford at times. The attack found it tough going. Man of the match in the league game, Anton Sullivan was tightly marked by Patrick Fox and only produced flashes of excellence. Both Dylan Hyland, after once again working himself into the ground, and Nigel Dunne ran out of steam in the second half while Jamie Evans had some very good moments,

Cian Farrell was Offaly's outstanding forward and he played his first full game for the county since his return from a cruciate injury. He was immense, reading the game superbly, showing pace and intelligent movement and getting three crucial points, a mark and two from play.

Less than 2,000 people made the journey to Longford on a wintry day and they were given an enjoyable game of football, albeit a tension filled one that would not have excited the neutrals a whole lot.

Longford had first use of a strong wind and Offaly were in a very strong position when they went in level at half time, 1-4 to 0-7.

It was a decent first half performance by Offaly who started and finished well. The crucial score was a sensational Peter Cunningham goal in the seventh minute. Cunningham had an excellent first half and he ran at pace onto a Ruari McNamee lay off, blasting an unstoppable drive past Patrick Collum. That gave Offaly a 1-1 to no score lead and they were well worth their 1-2 to 0-1 lead after fifteen minutes.

Longford finally settled and hit a ten minute purple patch that yielded six points without reply. Tullamore based garda, Darren Gallagher was outstanding in this period, scoring their first four points, two from play as they stormed into a 0-7 to 1-2 lead.

Offaly rallied very well again after this with points from Nigel Dunne and a beaut from Ruari McNamee sending them in on level terms at the break.

With the strong wind to come, it was there to be won for Offaly but they made very hard work in the second half. Jamie Evans and Nigel Dunne (free) gave them a quick two point lead but Offaly didn't build on that. Instead Longford came back and a Dessie Reynolds point and Darren Gallagher goal gave them a 1-8 to 1-6 lead after 43 minutes.

It was a real test of character for Offaly and they responded with great heart. Dylan Hyland (free) and Cian Farrell quickly got them back on level terms. Michael Quinn put Longford back ahead but another Farrell point and a Lee Pearson one that perhaps should have been a goal put Offaly 1-10 to 1-9 ahead with nine minutes left.

Joe Hagan equalised for Longford but Offaly hit another purple patch and Peter Cunningham and Bernard Allen got crucial points to put them two in front with two minutes left. It was a huge lead at that stage but as expected Longford came back. Iarla O'Sullivan cut it to a point and Longford had ample possession to have forced extra time but their failure to shoot was a cardinal sin at this stage of a game.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Peter Cunningham (Offaly): Lee Pearson and Declan Hogan were strong contenders while Ciaran Donnelly was immense in the first half. Peter Cunningham is my choice. It was his best game of the season as he oozed class. He defended very well and attacked brilliantly, scoring a crucial 1-1. Cunningham will be flying to Rome this evening for his wedding this week in very good spirits.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Peter Cunningham 1-1, Cian Farrell 0-3 (1m), Nigel Dunne (1m) and Jamie Evans 0-2 each, Lee Pearson, Dylan Hyland (f), Ruari McNamee and Bernard Allen 0-1 each.

Longford: Darren Gallagher 1-4 (2f), Joe Hagan 0-3, Iarla O'Sullivan, Michael Quinn, Dessie Reynolds, Dylan Farrell 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Ian Duffy (Walsh Island); Ciaran Donnelly (Bracknagh), Declan Hogan (Tullamore), David Dempsey (Ballycommon); Rory Egan (Edenderry), Peter Cunningham (Bracknagh), Lee Pearson (Edenderry); Jack McEvoy (Clonbullogue), Conor McNamee (Rhode); Cian Farrell (Edenderry), Ruari McNamee (Rhode), Anton Sullivan (Rhode); Dylan Hyland (Raheen), Nigel Dunne (Shamrocks), Jamie Evans (Gracefield). Subs – Bernard Allen (Tubber) for Evans (47m), Joe Maher (Ferbane) for Dunne (58m), Bill Carroll (Cappincur) for Hyland (59m), Cian Donohue (St Brigid's) for Donnelly (71m), Jack Bryant for Ruari McNamee (74m),

LONGFORD: Patrick Collum; Patrick Fox, Andrew Farrell, Bryan Masterson; Iarla O'Sullivan, Michael Quinn, Ryan Moffet; Jack Macken, Darren Gallagher; Daniel Mimnagh, Joe Hagan, Keelin McGann; Dessie Reynolds, Daire O'Brien, Dylan Farrell. Subs – Aaron Farrell for O'Brien (HT), Oran Kenny for McGann (HT), Tadgh McNevin for Macken (47m), Liam Connerton for Mimnagh, inj., (52m), Darragh Doherty for Kenny (65m),

Referee – Sean Hurson (Tyrone).

REFEREE WATCH

A vastly experienced official, Sean Hurson was very good. He was very aware, displayed common sense and didn't give soft frees.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Peter Cunningham's first half goal was brilliant and crucial. Going in at half time on level terms after playing against the wind was a huge bonus and set Offaly up for the win, even if it went right down to the wire.

VENUE WATCH

It was a wintry type day in Pearse Park but the pitch was good and Longford were professional hosts – though it was very easy to manage a surprisingly small crowd with less than 2,000 here.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly play Meath in Tullamore in two weeks time.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly - 8 (3 in first half); Longford - 9 (6 in first half).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 3 (Anton Sullivan, Nigel Dunne and Joe Maher); Longford – 1 (Joe Macken).

Black cards: 0.

Red cards: 0