Offaly impress as they inflict heavy defeat on Antrim to go top of the table

Allianz National Hurling League – Division 1 B Round 3

OFFALY 2-26

ANTRIM 0-17

A STRONG finish to the first half set Offaly on the road to a comfortable 15 point victory over Antrim in their round 3 Allianz Hurling League Division 1B game at Glenisk O'Connor Park on Sunday.

The victory leaves Offaly on top of the table after the first three games and in a strong position to challenge for one of the two promotion places having played half of their games.

The game took a while to get going as there were a lot of stoppages and breaks in the opening 20 minutes. Offaly only led by two points, 0-9 to 0-7, eight minutes before half time while playing with the wind and looked to have a battle on their hands, but they completely dominated the remainder of the half adding 1-5 without reply to suddenly take a healthy 10 point lead into the break, 1-14 to 0-7.

Antrim needed a good start to the second half but were denied a goal a minute in by a good Offaly save and when Offaly fired over four points in a row to lead by 13 seven minutes into the half, there was only going to be one winner. Despite playing with the wind, it took Antrim 21 minutes to score from play in that half by which point Offaly led by 16 points and three minutes later they bagged their second goal and the game was done and dusted.

The game became scrappy towards the end of the first quarter with a numbe of stoppages and both sides lost corner backs through injury, Antrim's Gerard Walsh and Offaly's Padraig Cantwell both having to be replaced. When the game did settle down Offaly began to find their rhythm more and then that strong finish to the half put them in a strong place.

Offaly really built into this game and got more impressive as the game went on. They found their men well and their team work was very good. Their work rate was exceptional and the amount of times they dispossessed Antrim players in possession was excellent, that work often leading to Offaly scores. They backed each other up well all the time and never let Antrim settle on the ball.

All six Offaly forwards scored from play, and eight players in all scored from play, and had they taken a number of other goal chances that came their way, they could have left Antrim even further out of sight, and that is something that they will look to improve on in future games.

They now have five points out of six from their three games and have a week off next week before travelling to face unbeaten Dublin at Croke Park on Saturday week and that test should give a much better indication of where Offaly stand. But they have built confidence with their performances in recent weeks and will go into that game relishing the challenge.

After a good win over Westmeath the previous week, Antrim will be very disappointed with this outcome. They stayed in the game until that point 10 minutes before the break, but overall can't be happy with their performance. Their handling let them down too often and almost half their scores came from placed balls.

Ciaran Burke, Donal Shirley and Ross Ravenhill did well in the Offaly defence and both Colin Spain and Cathal King worked hard in midfield. In attack Daniel Bourke, Killian Sampson, Charlie Mitchell and Brian Duignan all made significant contributions.

For Antrim, Paddy Burke, Eoghan Campbell, Nigel Elliott, Seaan Elliott and James McNaughton worked hard.

Antrim were first off the mark when Keelan Molloy pointed a minute in but Offaly levelled when Brian Duignan pointed a '65' after Charlie Mitchell was hooked when a goal chance loomed. Niall O'Connor restored Antrim's lead but Killian Sampson levelled with a good point from the left and then Dan Ravenhill intercepted a ball on the right and put Offaly ahead for the first time and they never subsequently lost the lead.

Charlie Mitchell extended that lead but James McNaughton cut the gap to the minimum from a 65m free on the left. Brian Duignan (free) and Killian Sampson pushed Offaly three ahead but James McNaughton made a good catch and pointed for Antrim midway through the half. Brian Duignan (free) and Daniel Bourke then extended the Offaly lead to four. James McNaughton and Dan Ravenhill exchanged points from frees before Seaan Elliott hit two in succession to cut the gap for just two points eight minutes before the break.

Offaly dominated the remainder of the half. Brian Duignan pointed a free before James Mahon blocked an Antrim attack and Killian Sampson's long ball was won by Dan Ravenhill who steered his shot under the goalkeeper into the net. Killian Sampson, Charlie Mitchell and Brian Duignan (2, one free) added points to give Offaly a 10 point advantage at half time.

Antrim needed a good start to the second half to get back into the game and almost got it when Joe Maskey and Seaan Elliott combined to set up sub Ryan McCambridge but Mark Troy advanced quickly to block at the expense of a '65' which James McNaughton pointed.

Offaly responded quickly and Ross Ravenhill, Oisin Kelly and two Brian Duignan frees had them 1-18 to 0-8 ahead after 42 minutes. James McNaughton added another free but was also off target from a couple more as Offaly added four more points without reply from Charlie Mitchell, Killian Sampson and two more from Brian Duignan, one from play which could have been a goal but was just drilled over the bar.

Scott Walsh got Antrim's first point from play in the half with Charlie Mitchell quickly responding. Keelan Molloy and James McNaughton (free) added to the Antrim tally before Offaly got their second half when Ross Ravenhill delivered the ball to Killian Sampson and although Eoin McFerran blocked him down originally, the Shinrone man regained the ball and shot low to the net from the 13m line.

James McNaughton replied with an Antrim free but Sam Bourke and two Brian Duignan frees left Offaly 19 points ahead before Antrim reeled off four points without reply late in the game from James McNaughton (two frees), Joe Maskey and Keelan Molloy but Offaly still had a 15 point advantage at the final whistle.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Mark Troy; Padraig Cantwell, Ciaran Burke, James Mahon; Ross Ravenhill, Donal Shirley, Jason Sampson; Colin Spain, Cathal King; Oisin Kelly, Daniel Bourke, Killian Sampson; Dan Ravenhill, Charlie Mitchell, Brian Duignan. Subs. Sam Bourke (for Padraig Cantwell, 16 mins), David Nally (for Killian Sampson, 59 mins), David King (for Jason Sampson, 61 mins), Luke Watkins (for Colin Spain, 63 mins), D.J. McLoughlin (for Donal Shirley, 67 mins).

ANTRIM: Ryan Elliott; Gerard Walsh, Paddy Burke, Declan McCloskey; Scott Walsh, Eoghan Campbell, Joe Maskey; Nigel Elliott, Niall O'Connor; Paul Boyle, Keelan Molloy, Niall McKenna; Sean Elliott, James McNaughton, Conor Johnston. Subs. Eoin McFerran (for Gerard Walsh, 12 mins), Ryan McCambridge (for Niall McKenna, half time), Conor Boyd (for Declan McCloskey, half time), Eoin O'Neill (for Paul Boyle, 46 mins), Cormac McKeown (for Conor Johnston, 61 mins).

REFEREE: Seamus Hynes (Galway).

MAN OF THE MATCH

Offaly had a number of very strong contenders. Ciaran Burke and Donal Shirley were solid down the middle of the Offaly defence while Killian Sampson, Charlie Mitchell and Daniel Bourke all made major contributions in attack. I've gone for Brian Duignan who contributed 0-12, 0-2 from play, but his general play was also excellent setting up a number of other scores and chances and causing endless problems for the Antrim defence.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Trailing by 10 points at half time, Antrim needed a big start to the second half to try and ignite their challenge and they almost got in a minute after the restart when Joe Maskey and Seaan Elliott combined to set up Ryan McCambridge for a great goal chance but Mark Troy advanced quickly assisted by Offaly defenders and the ball was blocked at the expense of a '65'. James McNaughton did point that but within five minutes Offaly had added four points without reply and were well on their way to victory.

REFEREE WATCH

Seamus Hynes wasn't a factor in the outcome of this game and he handled it very well. He penalised both sides for overcarrying and handed out yellow cards when necessary, consulting with his other officials on a number of occasions before making decisions. He went about his business without fuss and did a good job overall.

WHAT’S NEXT

Both teams have a break next weekend before Offaly travel to Croke Park to face Dublin on Saturday February 22^nd while Antrim play Waterford in Belfast on that Sunday.

VENUE WATCH

For the time of year the O'Connor Park pitch looked in fine condition. It was a little slippy in a few places but overall the players were able to move the ball well and the ground held up. All other arrangements were as usual in good order.

STATISTICS

Wides; Offaly 7 (3 in first half) Antrim 7 (2 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Offaly 1 (James Mahon) Antrim 4 (Niall McKenna, Joe Maskey, Declan McCloskey, Nigel Elliott).

Black Cards: None

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Offaly; Brian Duignan (0-12, 0-9 frees, 0-1 '65'), Killian Sampson (1-4), Dan Ravenhill (1-2, 0-1 free), Charlie Mitchell (0-4), Daniel Bourke, Ross Ravenhill, Oisin Kelly, Sam Bourke (0-1 each).

Antrim; James McNaughton (0-9, 0-7 frees, 0-1 '65'), Keelan Molloy (0-3), Seaan Elliott (0-2), Niall O'Connor, Scott Walsh, Joe Maskey (0-1 each).