Gutted Offaly denied heroic win by powerful late Dublin rally

BACK to the scene of the crime where Offaly's fall from grace was confirmed with a heavy seventeen point beating by Dublin, Parnell Park was again the venue and the Dubs once more their opposition for their first Leinster Senior Hurling Championship game since 2018.

Leinster Senior Hurling Champiponship Round 1

Dublin 1-25

Offaly 2-19

Offaly certainly gave their supporters great grounds for encouragement with a fantastic, gutsy performance and they only had victory snatched from their grasp with a powerful late rally from the home side. Three points up, 2-18 to 0-21 with just three minutes left, Offaly had a sensational, season making win at their finger tips.

Unfortunately, they couldn't close it out as Dublin got 1-4 of the last 1-5 for a three point win that did not reflect how close Offaly were to getting the result. A superb 67^th minute goal from sub Ronan Hayes when a long ball broke for him levelled it up at a stage when Dublin were panicking and the groans from their supporters were becoming audible.

A super point from the magnificent Dan Ravenhill put Offaly back in front with two minutes left but that was their final point as Dublin got the closing four for an extremely hard earned win.

Ronan Hayes levelled it up and Conor Donohoe, Brian Hayes and John Hetherton floated over great points as Dublin finished with all guns blazing and Offaly just couldn't turn the tide back – Dan Ravenhill went for goal from a 21 metre free three minutes into injury time but it was saved as a very relieved Dublin held on for the win they had to get.

For much of the second half, it looked like Offaly would get the job done. 1-10 to 0-11 up at half time after an excellent second quarter, Offaly were forced onto the back foot at the start of the second half as Dublin grabbed a one point lead with three quick fire points.

Just when it was looking like they had the initiative, Offaly got a fortunate 39^th minute goal with Killian Sampson's shot taking a deflection on the way to the net as Dublin's appeals for what looked a free out were ignored. It gave Offaly a 2-10 to 0-14 lead and as the half wore on, a shock win became increasingly likely. Offaly's work rate and ability to keep the score board ticking rattled Dublin and they began to hit poor wides as their composure dwindled.

Four Brian Duignan points, three from placed balls, had Offaly 2-13 to 0-16 ahead after 47 minutes. Dublin rallied and got it back to level terms, 0-20 to 2-14 after 57 minutes but Offaly found another gear. Ross Ravenhill and Dan Bourke got points before Sean Currie's frees reduced it to the minimum with eight minutes left. Offaly broke powerfully and a Killian Sampson point and a super Dan Ravenhill free put them 2-18 to 0-21 ahead with five minutes left and the odds favoured them.

Unfortunately it unravelled late on as they ran out of steam a bit but Offaly certainly went down with their boots on and it was a performance to be very proud of. There was a terrific collective work rate with some magnificent individual performances, some unsung heroes coming to the fore and it almost resulted in a win.

It was a thrilling game of hurling with a good few things going Offaly's way and the defeat does place early pressure on them - the goal remains to retain senior status but the way they competed the whole way will give them great encouragement going forward and ahead of next Saturday's home game against Galway.

It was a very different world for Offaly compared to that 2018 defeat here that relegated them and it shows how far they have come in a short few years.

Dublin were clear masters in a 2-24 to 0-13 win that day as a traumatic campaign ended with the drop back to the Joe McDonagh Cup. That was no surprise to any observer but the county the entered free-fall, dropping out of the second tier competition to the Christy Ring Cup within one year – with a manager, Kevin Martin jettisoned in mid-season as manager after a thirteen point loss to Westmeath, though nothing could save Offaly.

The real nadir was reached a year later in 2020 with a penalty shootout defeat to Down in the Christy Ring Cup semi-final and since then, Offaly have began a great climb back up the rungs, culminating in victory in the Joe McDonagh Cup last year. Another promotion back to the top flight in the National Hurling Legaue this year has added to the feeling of optimism in the county but championship will be the adjudicator of all progress and there was a nervousness in the air about this trip to Dublin's compact home venue at Parnell Park.

There has been an almost complete changing of the guard since that 2018 loss – Ben Conneely and David King were the only starters that night who played here while sub Eoghan Cahilll was the goalkeeper but has since made his name in the attack as a prolific scorer and came on in the attack in the second half. The Offaly team selected was more or less as expected apart from James Mahon not getting his place back in defence after missing the league final through injury – management also resisted the temptation to have Adam Screeney on the panel, even though he has returned from a groin injury and played in two U20 games.

A dramatic last gasp win over Dublin in Croke Park was instrumental in league promotion but Offaly had lived on a tight rope in the first half, staying in contention on their wits before rallying powerfully in the second half. It meant Dublin were on high alert for this championship opener and they got a major fright before escaping with the win by the skin of their teeth.

The match provided a fascinating contrast of styles with Dublin engaging in a short passing game, trying to use every ball, whereas Offaly were much more willing to mix it up, let the ball do the work and get it into the big men up front.

The visitors did very well to go in with their noses in front at the break, 1-10 to 0-11, recovering from a sluggish start and unsettling Dublin with their physicality and intensity.

Dublin were full value for a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after ten minutes and Offaly were just about hanging in there but they were the better team from there to the interval. Brian Duignan and Oisin Kelly began to win crucial ball in the attack and Kelly got in for a 13^th minute goal, striking a breaking ball to the net. Brian Duignan added a free for a 1-3 to 0-5 lead before Dublin got back in front with points from Donal Burke (free) and Diarnuid O'Dulaing..

Offaly played their best hurling of the half in the five minutes from the 20^th to 25^th minute, four points without reply for a 1-7 to 0-7 lead – the only point from play was a super Dan Ravenhill strike.

Dublin outscored them by 0-4 to 0-3 for a half time deficit of two points but encouragingly all of Offaly's scores were from play with Oisin Kelly, Killian Sampson and Charlie Mitchell, with the point of the half under severe pressure in the middle, giving them a real chance at the break – a great Mark Troy save from Cian O'Sullivan in the 35^th minute was very important.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Chris Crummey (Dublin): Centre half back Chris Crummey was a huge factor in Dublin's win. Steady in the first half, he emerged as a pivotal figure in the second half, winning a huge amount of ball, using it well, storming forward and inspiring all around it.

Offaly had several contenders and that shows how well they played. Donal Shirley and Oisin Kelly were two standout ones. Shirley was phenomenal in the defence, making those crucial flicks and hooks that are often missed by supporters but are so important on the field. He made a couple of sensational interventions in the first half and was so good on the ball, almost never putting a foot wrong.

Oisin Kelly was a major factor in Offaly going so close. The long ball Offaly directed into him and Brian Duignan was a stark contrast to Dublin's more patient game and it was a case of the underdogs playing to their strengths. Both men answered the call very effectively and Kelly was pure inspiration. He got 1-1 but played with his heart on his sleeve, won all types of ball and took Dublin on at every opportunity.

Dan Ravenhill was also a man of the match contender. His early striking from long range frees helped settled Offaly and he was close to his best for a lot of the game, winning ball and very effective.

There were plenty of others who stood up to be counted. Ciaran Burke was immense, Mark Troy did what was asked of him and Killian Samspon showed superb opportunism. Then there were the unsung heroes. David King is very much in the veteran stages of his career and was asked to play midfield. He helped get Offaly going after their slow start as he got on the ball and used it well. He was never going to last the full distance and was replaced in the 54^th minute but without him, Offaly could have been in serious bother early on.

Padraig Cantwell also deserves great credit for his defensive display. He toiled so honestly and cut out a lot of good ball. Colin Spain made a great impact off the bench, getting on the ball and moving it on very efficiently while Cathal King worked his socks off at midfield and Dan Bourke had great moments up front.

THE SCORERS

Dublin: Sean Currie 0-9 (5f), Ronan Hayes 1-1, Donal Burke 0-4 (2f and 1 '65'), Conor Donohoe and Brian Hayes 0-3 each, Conor Burke 0-2, Chris Crummey, Diarmuid O'Dulaing and John Hetherton 0-1 each.

Offaly: Brian Duignan 0-8 (6f), Dan Ravenhill 0-5 (3f), Killian Sampson 1-2, Oisin Kelly 1-1, Ross Ravenhill, Dan Bourke, Charlie Mitchell 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Mark Troy (Durrow); Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's), Ciaran Burke (Durrow), Padraig Cantwell (Shamrocks); Ross Ravenhill (Durrow), Donal Shirley (Tubber), Jason Sampson (Shinrone); Cathal King (Carrig-Riverstown), David King (Coolderry); Killian Sampson (Shinrone), Dan Bourke (Durrow), Oisin Kelly (Belmont); Dan Ravenhill (Durrow), Brian Duignan (Durrow), Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey). Subs – Eoghan Cahill (Birr) for Mitchell (50m), Colin Spain (Kilcormac-Killoughey) for David King (54m), Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac-Killoughey) for Ross Ravenhill (58m),

DUBLIN: Eddie Gibbons; John Bellew, Paddy Smyth, Paddy Dunleavy; Paddy Doyle, Chris Crummey, Andy Dunphy; Conor Burke, Conor Donoghoe; Brian Hayes, Donal Burke, Danny Sutcliffe; Sean Currie, Cian O'Sullivan, Diarmuid O'Dulaing. Subs – Ronan Hayes for Sutcliffe, inj. (22m), Darragh Power for Donal Burke (HT), Fergal Whitely for O'Dulaing (HT), John Hetherton for Whitely (50m), Andrew Jamieson-Murphy for O'Sullivan (62m),

Referee – Johnny Murphy (Limerick).

REFEREE WATCH

Johnny Murphy had a steady game and Offaly certainly didn't have any grounds for complaint. He definitely could have given Dublin a free out in the lead up to Killian Sampson's goal early in the second half, while they got a couple of other soft looking ones, though Dublin also got their share. Padraig Cantwell was relieved to get a yellow and not a black in the 57^th minute when he deliberately fouled Chris Crummey with a goal on, though he was a nice bit out – Dublin's frustration at the referee was clear and they had a case with some decisions.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Dublin's 67^th minute goal from Ronan Hayes was the all important moment here and they would almost certainly have been beaten without it.

VENUE WATCH

Parnell Park always has a very good atmosphere and this was no different, with a crowd of over 5,300 enjoying every puck of a thrilling game.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly host Galway in Tullamore next Saturday.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly – 6 (3 in first half); Dublin - 10 (2 in first half).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 4 (Ross Ravenhill, Brian Duignan, Ciaran Burke, Padraig Cantwell); Dublin – 1 (Paddy Smyth, John Hetherton).

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0