Offaly overcome tricky Antrim challenge with strong second half display

IN THE rain and occasional spell of hailstones in Darver on Saturday afternoon, Offaly made it two wins from two in their Leinster Minor Championship campaign, as a quickfire scoring spurt saw Enda Mulhare’s side see off the tricky challenge of Antrim, who will rue some costly misses in attack, with the Saffrons coming out second best in this encounter despite having 38 shots at the posts over the hour.

Leinster Minor Hurling Championship Tier 2 Round 2

OFFALY 3-17

ANTRIM 1-17

On the other hand, Offaly were much more economical in attack, finishing with 20 scores from 29 shots, including two first half goals, which were sucker punches for Antrim, who enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in that first half.

Despite grabbing the opening score, a mix up in the Antrim defence saw Odhrán Fletcher capitalise to bag the opening goal of this contest inside four minutes.

Some accurate shooting from key players Killian Wynne and Odhrán Fletcher granted the Faithful a 1-2 to 0-2 lead inside the opening quarter, with Liam McEnhill and the skilful Callagh Mooney responding for Antrim.

Killian Wynne and Odhrán Fletcher continued to cause huge damage to Antrim, with the former firing in goal number two for Offaly, as they led by 2-3 to 0-3 after 15 minutes, a second goal in two games for the midfielder.

Antrim continued to create decent openings, but continued to see them go abegging in equal measure, with Conor Donnelly fizzing a shot narrowly wide, following industrious work from Fiontan Bradley in the build up.

While Wynne and Fletcher continued to account for the Offaly scoring, Antrim did manage to stay in touch with efforts from Conor Donnelly, and a spectacular individual point from Bradley, leaving it at 2-3 to 0-5 with eight minutes left until half time.

Two more Fletcher frees, and another Wynne strike appeared to give Offaly a commanding lead at 2-6 to 0-6 heading into half time.

However, Antrim found a purple patch, rounding off four points without reply, with Callagh Mooney oozing class in possession with 0-2, Conor Donnelly, and Fiontan Bradley also finding the range to leave just one score between the sides at the break at 2-6 to 0-10.

It appeared that Antrim were taking that momentum from the end of the first into the second period, as they amassed the opening three points upon the restart to lead Offaly by 0-13 to 2-6 after 36 minutes, with that trio of Mooney, Bradley and Donnelly continuing to hit the target.

It was no less than the Ulster side deserved at that juncture, with Offaly knowing that a serious question was being asked of their side.

They needed inspiration and found it through Michael Dooley. Not content with breaking down an Antrim attack, Dooley took on responsibility, and the ball before firing it over the bar, which was met with a huge roar from the vocal Faithful support.

That put Offaly back in front, and after Odhrán Fletcher and Fiontan Bradley traded frees, Offaly upped the ante and their press on Antrim coming out of defence with the ball, with the gale force wind and hailstones not getting in the way of a Faithful scoring spree, which saw them hit seven points without reply.

Offaly manager Enda Mulhare also deserves credit for that second half, as each one of Offaly's substitutes making a positive impact on proceedings, from Morgan Feenane shoring things up in defence, to Macdara Mitchell battling hard inside, while Donal Dooley and James Sampson also saw plenty of possession upon their introduction.

Three frees from the flawless Odhrán Fletcher, as well as wonderful points from angles by Oisin Carroll, Conor Egan, James O’Sullivan and James Hennessy, gave them a significant lead at 2-15 to 0-14 with 10 minutes left.

With the wind and hailstones in their faces, Antrim found it harder to find fluency, but Conor Donnelly did at least keep the scoreboard ticking over.

However, you always felt momentum was with Offaly, and they were capable of landing another major, and they all but sealed this win when Brian Guinan combined with Conor Egan and Odhrán Fletcher to slot home the Faithful’s third and decisive goal, to put a sizeable gap between the sides.

Despite a late goal from Antrim’s Oisin McCallan, Offaly pressed for home, with the outstanding Odhrán Fletcher, and Killian Wynne having the final say, to assure a six point victory for Offaly.

Akin to their win over Meath last time out, Offaly were asked a serious question, and once they delivered, showing strong character when they need it most, coming out on top on this 3-17 to 1-17 victory.

TEAMS AND SCORERS

OFFALY: Matt Watkins; Cian Kinnarney, Joey McLoughney, Conor Berry; Oisin Carroll (0-1), Andrew Hogan, Michael Dooley (0-1); Luke Bracken, Killian Wynne (1-3); Brian Guinan (1-0), James O’Sullivan (0-1), Eamon Maher; Odhrán Fletcher (1-9, 0-8f), Conor Egan (0-1), James Hennessy (0-1). Subs: Morgan Feenane for Kinnarney (43), Macdara Mitchell for Egan (49), Donal Dooley for Maher (55), James Sampson for O’Sullivan (55), Noel Standish for Brian Guinan (57).

ANTRIM: Sean Og McLaren; Aodhan Campbell, Michael Marlow, Niall McClean; Colla Ward, Ryan O’Boyle, Ashdon McGarry; Callagh Mooney (0-4), Lorcan McGarry; Thomas McLaughlin (0-2, 0-1f), Conor Donnelly (0-5), Liam McEnhill; Oisin McCallin (1-0), Conan Johnson, Fiontan Bradley (0-6, 0-5f). Subs: Frank Kane for Campbell (38), Ronan Taylor for McClean (42).

REFEREE: Rory Hanley (Dublin).

Man Of The Match

Odhrán Fletcher: People say that free takers are worth their weight in gold, and Saturday was a case in point, as Odhrán Fletcher’s 1-9 played a key role in Offaly securing back to back victories in this Leinster Championship.

When they needed him most, Fletcher was there, converting crucial frees, particularly during that second half scoring spurt to take the game away from Antrim, when a question was being asked of the Faithful.

Other players deserving mentions including Killian Wynne at midfield, Andrew Wogan who held the fort at centre half, alongside Michael Dooley in that half back line.

Moment Of The Match

A key moment in this Leinster Championship clash saw half back Michael Dooley turnover an Antrim attack, before driving the ball over the bar for an inspirational score, which came at a time when Antrim seemed to be getting to grips in the scoring stakes at the start of that second half.