Offaly do just enough for long enough to win as naps allow Down to hang in to the end

WITH Offaly's place in the Joe McDonagh Cup final secured, there was a real sense of anti-climax about their final Joe McDonagh Cup group fixture against Down in Ballycran on Saturday.

All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Joe McDonagh Cup Round 5

Offaly 5-23

Down 3-25

As expected Johnny Kelly took the opportunity to experiment, trying out players, getting much needed match practice into a few, resting others and wisely, not bringing any of the U-20s on such a long journey as well as giving a rest on the sidelines to established players such as Ben Conneely, Cillian Kiely, Charlie Mitchell, Mark Troy.

Down were in a similar vein of mind, happy with their campaign and the points they put on the board and out to enjoy themselves as well, albeit determined to finish the year on a high and take a notable scalp. An adopted son of Kilcormac, Trevor Fletcher has been a coach with Down this year and no doubt, he was glad in a way that this game was a dead rubber and he was not trying to put Offaly out of the competition – Roscrea native Fletcher trained Shinrone to their first ever Offaly senior hurling title a couple of years ago, his son Odhran was one of the best players on the Offaly minor hurling team this year and he will be back as coach with Down next year as he gets valuable intercounty experience.

Unsurprisingly, this game lacked the cut and thrust of high stakes, knock out hurling. It couldn't be any other way and the result was a high scoring shootout with Offaly having four points to spare at the finish. It should have been considerably more as they fell asleep in the closing minutes, conceding three goals between the 67^th and 70^th minute – One from Caolan Taggart, named at full back but causing a lot of problems in a forward role in the second half and two from impressive full forward Daithi Sands.

The game had been dwindling out to a very tame end as Offaly held a 5-21 to 0-25 lead with just three minutes left. With three minutes of injury time added onto that, suddenly they found themselves just a score ahead and having to do unanticipated work for the win. They just about managed to knuckle down, ensure that Down didn't manufacture a match salvaging goal and sub Eoghan Cahill converted a late free to put a safe four in it.

It would be stretching things to suggest it would have been a disaster if Offaly had drawn. It wouldn't have been but it would not have been a good look to have thrown away such a big eleven point lead so close to the final whistle.

It was that type of a day for Offaly and it was not the first time for them to fall asleep. Playing against the wind in the first half, Offaly had started very sluggishly as a fired up Down tore into them from the throw in – Down were hungrier early on, went harder for the ball and were full value for their 0-6 to 0-2 lead after ten minutes..

Offaly played their best hurling after this, scoring 1-8 without reply to take a 1-10 to 0-7 lead after 26 minutes. Offaly were very good in that period, getting up close to championship intensity in the game and Down couldn't live with them. They took some quality points and a 26^th minute goal from Jack Clancy put them into the driving seat.

They were 1-12 to 0-8 ahead after 30 minutes and the small visiting support who journeyed north were preparing to relax when their charges retreated to their comfort zone. They just stopped playing for a few minutes and Down got six points without reply to trail by just a point, 1-12 to 0-14 at halftime.

Without doing a whole lot special, Offaly controlled long periods of the second half. Down rattled into them early on but a 37^th minute goal from James Nally gave Offakly a 2-13 to 0-16 lead. The goals arrived in a timely fashion to put them well clear as the second half wore on.

The outstanding Brian Duignan got a deserved goal in the 43^rd minute, set up by Oisin Kelly to give Offaly a 3-14 to 0-18 lead. Duignan (2, one '65') and David King tacked on points before Taggart got Down's 19^th in the 49^th minute. Clancy made it 4-19 to 0-21 with his second goal in the 54^th minute and Oisin Kelly's deserved goal made it 5-20 to 0-24 with just nine minutes left.

It looked all over but Down somehow got back into it as Offaly ceased playing again, though if ever there was a day for that, this was it.

Overall, it was a satisfactory display by Offaly, considering there was nothing at stake. Ultimately just about enough players got up for long enough for them to get the win, and that was all that was needed.

They had a few players who played really well while some of the more fringe players worked very hard to stake claims for final involvement.

Of these, a big plus was Oisin Kelly, who moved very well at times at full forward. Not every ball stuck but he got 1-2, set up other scores and his hunger shone through. Luke Watkins also did very well at corner back, getting forward for three points while Jack Clancy also had a powerful game. James Nally also had very good spells.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

David King (Offaly): Brian Duignan was superb for Offaly when it mattered, taking Down on with real intent and getting important scores from frees and play. Jack Clancy was also a contender – he was very strong on the ball and worked very hard. The choice is Offaly's most experienced player, David King who gave an almost flawless defensive display. He covered and tackled well, distributed intelligently, kept going when team mates were having a nap around him and also got two points.

THE SC0RERS

Offaly: Brian Duignan 1-8 (3f and 1 '65'), Jack Clancy 2-1, James Nally 1-2, Oisin Kelly 1-2, Luke Watkins 0-3, David King and Eoghan Cahill (1f) 0-2 each, Sam Bourke, Eimhin Kelly and Paul Cleary 0-1 each.

Down: Paul Sheehan 0-10 (9f and 1 '65'), Daithi Sands 2-2, Caolan Taggart 1-2, Pearse Og McCrickard 0-4, Eoghan Sands and Tom McGrattan 0-3 each, Daniel Toner 0-1.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Stephen Corcoran (Coolderry); Kieran Connors (Seir Kieran), Padraig Cantwell (Shamrocks), Luke Watkins (Shinrone); David King (Coolderry), Jason Sampson (Shinrone), Sam Bourke (Durrow); Ross Ravenhill (Durrow), Dara Maher (Shinrone); Jack Clancy (Belmont), Brian Duignan (Durrow), James McNally (Belmont); Eimhin Kelly (Lusmagh), Oisin Kelly (Belmont), Paul Cleary (Shinrone). Subs – Eoghan Cahill (Birr) for Duignan (49m), Killian Sampson (Shinrone) for Eimhin Kelly (52m), Ciaran Burke (Durrow) for Cantwell (60m).

DOWN: Stephen Keith; Matt Conlan, Caolan Taggart, Conor Cassidy; Tom Murray, Ruari McCrickard, Liam Savage; Donal Hughes, Phelim Savage; Paul Sheehan, Pearse Og McCrickard, Eoghan Sands; Tom McGrattan, Daithi Sands, Daniel Toner. Subs – Cathal Lavery for Keith (HT), Oisin McManus for Toner (48m), Niall Milligan for McGrattan (60m).

Referee – James Clarke (Cavan).

REFEREE WATCH

James Clarke had a decent game. There were a couple of debatable decisions here and there and it was a physical game but he was not a factor in the result.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Jack Clancy's first goal in the 26^th minute gave Offaly a 1-10 to 0-7 lead and put them in control.

VENUE WATCH

Ballycran may be a long journey for Offaly but it is a lovely, isolated, rural venue in the middle of the Down hurling heartland on the Ard Penisula. As usual, the Down hosts could not have been more welcoming to the visitors, the pitch was in good order and the weather was lovely, albeit windy. The free cup of tea or coffee for spectators at half time was a lovely touch.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly play Laois in the Joe McDonagh Cup final in a couple of weeks time.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly - 13 (5 in first half); Down - 11(10 in first half).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 1 (Luke Watkins); Down – 0.

Black cards: 0.

Red cards: 0.