Last minute goal secures crucial win as relieved Offaly get out of jail

LATE and high drama is the best way to describe this encounter as Offaly got out of jail with a 2-14 to 2-11 win at home to Meath in Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park on Saturday afternoon.

Leinster Minor Hurling Championship Tier 2 Group 1 Round 1 - Offaly 2-14 Meath 2-11

A floating free in from Odhran Fletcher was pulled on first time by James Kirwan and left Meath harrowing in horror as they will feel they deserved at least a draw and will be bitterly disappointed to leave Birr empty handed. 

They did have some terrific performers on the day which included Louis McIvor finishing with 1-7 and being a real shining light in the full forward line, with Kosei Kirwan also impressing and taking his goal opportunity well.

Oisin Carroll, Eamon Maher, Odhran Fletcher and MacDara Mitchell started this game, having been all involved in the quarter final defeat to Wexford last season, and they certainly showed their qualities in this encounter throughout the 60 minutes. 

Jack Duncian shone when he was introduced and sent over two points from play, whilst Fletcher finished up with a personal tally of 0-5 and stepped up big time towards the end. Darragh Phelan and Macdara Mitchell were also very impressive in the middle of the park along with James Kirwan who got the final two scores to win Offaly the game.

Victory for the Faithful has them in a good position with regards progressing further as they aim to claim a spot in a preliminary quarter-final for the beginning of May. It was the first game in charge for former Offaly hurler Brian Carroll and his backroom team which includes former Offaly dual player, Sean Ryan of Birr and Roscrea man Liam England, and they couldn’t have asked for a better start in terms of the result.

Meath got the game's opening score thanks to a free from Louis McIvor, before Eamon Maher and captain Odhran Fletcher gave Offaly the lead for the first time. The Faithful kept up their strong start with two very identically taken scores from midfield duo Darragh Phelan and Macdara Mitchell, before Phelan and Harry O’Sullivan gave Offaly a dream start as they led by five after just eight minutes. 

Offaly had the chance to get the game's opening goal thanks to a lovely move which involved Ruairi Woods, Odhran Fletcher and Oisin O’Meara but the effort in the end just missed the target, but they were playing with a confidence early and some of their stick work was lovely to watch.

Meath never laid down though and started to get a bit of a foothold in the game with McIvor and Conor Horan sending over good scores before an interception from Fletcher saw the Kilcormac-Killoughey man send over his opening score the afternoon. 

Belmont’s Ruairi Woods had an opportunity for a goal but his attempt was well saved by Patrick Casey, but Brian Carroll’s side responded well with back to back scores from Adam Martin and Fletcher. 

Despite not having too many attacks for a few minutes, Meath were first to fire the ball into the net as Jason Donoghue was deemed to have fouled Kosei Kirwan and from the resulting penalty, Louis McIvor made no mistake and after 23 minutes Meath had brought it back to a two point game and right in the mix. And they almost claimed a second as a floating ball into the square was batted down by James Carroll and the onrushing Joel Mangan slid in and almost beat him at his near post but McIvor would bring it back  a one point game from the resulting 65. Fletcher added an extra score to give Offaly a two point lead at the break but still with the game firmly in the balance.

Meath were sharper early on in the second half and found themselves three in front come the 40th minute as a McIvor free and a fabulous long range effort from full forward Callum Buckley drew the game level, before wing forward Kosei Kirwan had acres of space from a sideline cut and he made no mistake in firing his effort low and into the net and Meath had gained the advantage. 

It took until the 43rd minute for Offaly to register a score in the second half, and were struggling to keep hold of the ball. Meath kept the pressure up and albeit the scoring was drying up for both sides, until the 53rd minute as Darragh Phelan’s nice stick work was enough for the Ballyskenagh-Killavilla man to find the net and it was a two point game with seven left. Jack Dunican finished with two late points and left Offaly with one last chance to snatch victory which they did as Fletcher’s free floated in and was batted in by James Kirwan and Offaly managed to snatch victory and claim their opening win of the season.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

9. Darragh Phelan (OFFALY): Fiachra Carroll had a fantastic game from wing back, while Odhran Fletcher was also huge in securing the win in the end, and Macdara Mitchell impressed, with James Kirwan and Eamon Phelan also having good showings. 

Darragh Phelan gets the nod from me due to his tenacity, accurate shooting which included the skill involved for the first goal and his energy in the middle was fantastic over the hour. 

Louis McIvor and Kosei Kirwan were the the brightest sparks for Meath contributing 2-7 to their overall 2-11.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Odhran Fletcher 0-5 (2frees); Darragh Phelan 1-2;  James Kirwan 1-1; Jack Dunican 0-2; Macdara Mitchell; Eamon Maher, Oisin O’Meara and Adam Martin 0-1 each  .

Meath: Louis McIvor 1-7 (1 penalty, 5frees); Kosei Kirwan 1-0; Sebastian Snow, Conor Horan, Joel Mangan and Callum Buckley 0-1 each . 

THE TEAMS

Offaly: James Carroll (Birr); Barry Bennett (Birr), Jack O'Donoghue (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Jason Donoghue (Tullamore); Tom O'Dwyer (Birr), Oisin Carroll (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Fiachra Carroll (Kilcormac-Killoughey); Macdara Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Darragh Phelan (Ballyskenagh-Killavilla); Harry O'Sullivan (Carrig-Riverstown), Odhran Fletcher (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Eamon Maher (Ferbane); Oisin O'Meara (Clara), Ruari Woods (Belmont), Adam Martin (Tullamore). Subs– Sean Walshe (Coolderry) for O’Dwyer (43m); Conor Thornton (Shamrocks) for Woods (43m); Aaron Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey) for O’Meara (46m);  Jack Dunican (Kilcormac-Killoughey) for Harry O’Sullivan (46m); James Kirwan (Ferbane) for Martin (49). 

Meath: Patrick Casey (Kildalkey); Ruairi McCaffrey (Trim); Luke Brady (Navan O'Mahonys); Seán Harrigan (Kiltale); Euan Kerr (Navan O'Mahonys); Jack McKeown (Killyon); Ronan Greene (Longwood); Joel Mangan (Dunboyne); Sebastian Snow (Navan O'Mahonys); Kosei Kirwan (Rathmolyon); Conor Horan (Kilmessan); Ciaran O’Brien (Dunderry); Daniel Morris (Drumree); Callum Buckley (Donaghmore Ashbourne); Louis McIvor (Donaghmore Ashbourne). Subs- Eoin McDermott (Navan O'Mahonys) for O’Brien (36m);  Stephen Morgan (Kilmessan) for Mangan (46m); Eoin Carroll (Killyon) for Harrigan (55m) Leon Harris (Trim) for Greene (60m). 

Referee - James McGrath, Westmeath.

REFEREE WATCH

James McGrath took charge of the game this afternoon and refereed the game well and there weren't too many outlandish calls to make during the 60 minutes.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Without question James Kirwan’s pull in the air to win the game takes the spotlight this weekend and ensuring that Offaly supporters once again had their heart rates pumping to the next level but also confirming another victory for what will be a big weekend for Offaly. 

VENUE WATCH

Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park was the hosts for this afternoon's first round clash in what was a wet day, but the pitch was in fantastic condition and there were also plenty of stewards on hand to welcome in the relatively small crowd.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly will travel to Darver in Louth to take on Antrim on Saturday April 5th, while Meath will host Wicklow. 

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly – 11  (7  in first half, 4 in 2nd half); Meath – 10 (3 in first half, 7  in 2nd half).

Yellow cards: Offaly - (0) ; Meath – (0) 

Red cards: Offaly– (0 ); Meath – (0).