Heroic Offaly return to All-Ireland final with one of their great wins

OFFALY produced one of their greatest performances, securing one of their best ever wins when a truly heroic second half saw them hold off ferocious Wexford resistance in a tension filled, drama packed Leinster U-20 hurling final in front of 10,000 wildly excited supporters in Carlow's Dr Cullen Park on Wednesday evening.

Leinster U-20 Hurling Championship final

Offaly 1-21
Wexford 0-22

Offaly have won four All-Ireland senior hurling titles and nothing beats them while the 1980 Leinster senior hurling final changed everything for the county. However, this win was up there with most, a never to be forgotten victory and a whole new experience for a whole new generation who are now just getting a taste of what older people felt in the 1980s and 1990s.

And it is a very sweet taste as Offaly won against the odds, showing amazing character to return to the All-Ireland final – they will meet Cork in that final, fixed for May 27 but possibly going back a week as Offaly are playing the Joe McDonagh Cup final on that day.

Ironically, the man placing Offaly in that fixtures dilemma, Charlie Mitchell ended up as a central figure here as his dismissal for a second yellow card loaded the dice against them. The Offaly captain had got an innocuous enough yellow in the first half but feared the worse when a Wexford player went down under his hit in the 37th minute and he received the dreaded yellow, followed by a red.

Offaly had led by 0-11 to 0-9 after a rip roaring first half and they were clinging to a 0-13 to 0-12 lead when Mitchell went off. Offaly were the better team up to that stage but Wexford were snapping on their heels, chasing everything like men possessed.

It was the sternest of examinations for Offaly and once again they showed phenomenal character. Wexford's best player, Cian Byrne got them on level terms soon after Mitchell's departure, Offaly got the next two but the losers were back on level terms, 0-15 each after 39 minutes.

A sensational Adam Screeney goal brought the Offaly crowd to their feet in the 41st minute and turned the game back in their favour. Screeney showed wonderful skill and finishing to put Offaly 1-15 to 0-15 in front. Cormac Egan made a great assist with the goal, breaking forward at pace and laying off the ball at the perfect time – Egan's work rate when Offaly went down a man was almost tiring to observe.

It was nip and tuck from here to the finish, drama packed, full of ebbs and flows.

Twice Wexford got it back to a point. Dan Ravenhill's free gave Offaly a crucial 1-18 to 0-19 lead with three minutes left – Ravenhill's free was crucial as man of the match Screeney had missed a couple of frees just before that. With Offaly tiring, Wexford threw the kitchen sink at Offaly – their best player Cian Byrne levelled it up with two points, one free, with two minutes left. Cillian Byrne had a chance to put them in front but went for goal instead of tapping it over the bar and Ter Guinan made a stunning interception.

Screeney got a free followed straight away by an inspirational Dan Ravenhill point after Wexford gave the ball away softly. Cian Byrne's free brought it back to a point but a 62nd minue Screeney free after Dan Bourke was fouled secured the win for Offaly.

It was a sensational win for Offaly. Screeney scored 1-12, 1-3 from play and his goal and two of his points just took the breath away. Brecon Kavanagh was magnificent in a heroic defence where Sam Bourke and Luke Watkins were also superb. Colin Spain put in a great shift in midfield while Conor Doyle came good quite spectacularly in the second half, scoring two crucial points and Dan Bourke was also excellent on the other wing.

Dan Ravenhill also stood up to be counted. He may not be 100% fit after missing a lot of the campaign with injury but finished the game and kept going, as well as getting inspiring scores. It was another day where every Offaly player did everything that was asked of him and the work rate and desire of this team once again commanded the utmost of respect.

There was massive anticipation in Offaly ahead of the final, a real mood of excitement and hope. With the 10,000 tickets having sold out on Tuesday afternoon, it was one of those rare, magical GAA evenings for them.

BIG PICTURE GALLERY: Incredible scenes as heroic Offaly claim Leinster U-20 Hurling title

The sunshine and good weather added to the feel good mood, though there was stress for those who didn't leave in loads of time. Many Offaly people set off from 4.00pm onwards and they were the wise ones. Hundreds of Offaly supporters were outside the Dr Cullen Park before the gates opened at 6.00pm but for others stuck in traffic in Stradbally and forced to park well over a mile from the ground, it was panic stations.

A traffic accident added to the mayhem for the Wexford supporters and it all resulted in the almost inevitable decision to put throw in back by fifteen minutes – in truth, no one really expected that this game would start on time with such interest in both counties.

The interest was a reflection of the desire and hunger in both counties for success. They are two counties who have enjoyed their share of success and are desperate for a return to the glory days.

Offaly have had their appetite whetted in recent years and supporters are now insatiable. The All-Ireland U-20 football success in 2021 lifted the clouds that have floated over the county for over two decades and the excellence of last year's All-Ireland minor hurling finalists has enhanced the feeling of optimism.

Offaly were desperately unlucky to lose to Tipperary in the All-Ireland minor hurling final last year and the good work has been continued on by this team. With six of last year's minors, James Mahon, Brecon Kavanagh, Ter Guinan, Conor Doyle, Dan Ravenhill and Adam Screeney – a knee injury ruled out another, Shane Rigney -, this was a young side.

Reaching the Leinster U-20 final was possibly before their time but their skill level and work ethic has impressed hurling lovers far outside Offaly borders. Irrespective of the result, they had brought great pride back to the county and for older generations, they rekindled golden memories of great days from the 1980s and 1990s. It is great for younger people to experience some of this and the impression is of a rising Offaly ship in both codes.

There was a sea of green, white and gold here and Offaly certainly looked to have a way bigger support – some Wexford observers reckoned they were outnumbered by three to one and while that may have been an exaggeration, it was over two to one. There was a welter of excitement when the action started and Offaly had plenty to cheer early on.

Wexford took the lead with a Corey Byrne-Dunbar point but then Offaly settled. They got four points to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 after six minutes and Adam Screeney drews gasps from the crowd with an almost unbelievable point in the 3rd minute from what seemed to be an impossible angle out on the right wing near the corner flag – amazingly, he was to replicate that score to give Offaly a crucial lead coming up to half time.

The first half went more or less as expected. Wexford were physically strong, able to win high ball and break tackles but Offaly produced some wonderful moments of skill. They did concede a few frees and Cian Byrne punished most of those, though he did miss a couple as well.

Wexford pulled men back to curb the Offaly attack and a compelling game emerged. Offaly led by 0-5 to 0-3 after nine minutes but Wexford then got on top and led by 0-6 to 0-5 after fourteen minutes. Offaly answered those questions well with the next three points and a 0-8 to 0-6 lead after nineteen minutes. Conor Doyle missed a good chance and Wexford had another golden spell. Thety got three points to lead by 0-9 to 0-8 after 25 minutes and had chances to be further in front.

Offaly settled again coming up to half time. Dan Bourke found the space for a good point, Screeney scored that breathtaking point and then got an excellent free to put Offaly 0-11 to 0-9 in front at the break and in with a great chance.

One that they took against all odds in the second half.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Adam Screeney (Offaly): Adam Screeney had another magical evening. As good and exciting a hurler as Offaly have produced, two of his first half points and his goal were absolutely breathtaking. He was tightly marked but got the important scores and this was another sensational display from him. There was also a case to be made for Brecon Kavanagh, whose tackling, marking and ability to do the simple thing at corner back was a joy to behold.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Adam Screeney 1-12 (8f and 1 '65'), Dan Ravenhill 0-3 (1f), Dan Bourke and Conor Doyle 0-2 each, Charlie Mitchell and Cathal King 0-1 each.

Wexford: Cian Byrne 0-14 (10f), Cillian Byrne 0-2, Dylan Purcell, Sean Rowley, Darragh Carley, Corey Byrne-Dunbar, Luke Murphy and JJ Twamley 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Mark Troy (Durrow); Patrick Taaffe (Belmont), James Mahon (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Brecon Kavanagh (Kilcormac-Killoughey); Luke Watkins (Shinrone), Sam Bourke (Durrow), Ter Guinan (Kilcormac-Killoughey) ; Colin Spain (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Cathal King (Carrig-Riverstown); Dan Bourke (Durrow), Cormac Egan (Tullamore), Conor Doyle (Clara); Dan Ravenhill (Durrow), Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Adam Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey). Subs – Barry Egan (Clara) for King (55m),

WEXFORD: Derry Mahon; Simon Roche, Eoin Whelan, Darragh Kehoe; Conor Murphy, Michael Dundon, Conor Foley; Sean Rowley, Darragh Carley; Cian Byrne, Corey Byrne-Dunbar, Jack Redmond; Luke Murphy, Shamey O'Hagan, Cillian Byrne. Subs – Dylan Purcell for Conor Murphy (22m), JJ Twalmmley for Redmond (HT), Darragh Farrell for Dundon (48m), Oisin Pepper for Luke Murphy (56m),

Referee – Thomas Gleeson (Dublin).

REFEREE WATCH

Thomas Gleeson ended up as a central figure and certainly drew the ire of Offaly supporters in the second half. In the first half, he let the play run and contributed to an enjoyable 30 minutes. He did give Wexford a couple of soft frees and these brought them back into it after Offaly had started well. It was a fast, high intensity game and there were always going to be questionable decisions. In the second half, the volume of debatable ones increased. Charlie Mitchell didn't seem to have any complaints at his second yellow card but a few soft frees went against Offaly. Having said that the Offaly support didn't complain when they got a couple of harmless looking ones. The referee did end up too much a central a figure in the second half but he was clearly doing his best and trying to make the right decisions.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Charlie Mitchell's sending off was a key moment and Adam Screeney's goal a few minutes later was when this game was won and lost.

VENUE WATCH

The Carlow venue proved to be a talking point in the build up as the tickets sold out by Tuesday afternoon. Portlaoise and Kilkenny would have been able to hold much bigger crowds and having seen the crowds Offaly brought to the Leinster and All-Ireland minor hurling finals last year, Leinster Council should have opted for one of them. The capacity was capped at 10,000 tickets and the venue was a fair one for both sets of supporters. The pitch was okay, not wonderful and Carlow were excellent hosts. They had loads of stewards and were clearly determined on hosting the big game well. A compact ground did create a magical, memorable atmosphere and it all combined for a very special occasion,

There were issues with the scoreboard with the clock not working in the second half while the scores weren't updated for a few moments – the loss of the clock was a particular nuisance to supporters, most of whom hadn't noted the time in the expectation that it would be working. It was a new scoreboard and a big Leinster final may not have been the best place to debut that. There were also some complaints about queues to the toilets but in fairness to Carlow, it was a long time since they hosted a crowd of this size and they will have learned from it.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly play Cork in the All-Ireland final, possibly on the first weekend in June.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly – 8 (2 in first half); Wexford – 10 (7 in first half).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 2 (Charlie Mitchell 2); Wexford – 3 (Conor Foley, Dylan Purcell and Darragh Carley).

Red cards: Offaly – 1 (Charlie Mitchell 2 yellows); Wexford – 0.