Offaly U20 footballers rally late to break second tier hoodoo with good win over Carlow

OFFALY U20 footballers ended one of the county's most unwanted records when rallying very well in the closing quarter to beat Carlow in the second tier Andrew Corden Cup at Faithful Fields on Tuesday evening.

Leinster U20 Football 2^nd Tier Andrew Corden Cup semi-final

Offaly 2-15

Carlow 0-15

Pushed the whole way by a Carlow side who looked like they would win at one stage, Offaly showed the right type of drive and character when it counted late on.

Having bowed out of the Leinster championship fairly innocuously, this win doesn't signify a whole lot but it was still an important, badly needed result for Offaly.

Last year, the county's football teams endured a quite horrific tale of woe in the second tier competitions. The senior footballers showed shocking example for their young peers with Tailteann Cup maulings by London and Limerick before a third defeat by Down. The U20 footballers gave a really poor display in a defeat in this competition in Carlow, displaying almost zero interest in winning while the minor footballers completed the sad story with a defeat by Waterford.

The appetite of Offaly football teams for second chance saloons has been dreadful for the most part and it is something that has to change. While the evidence will be provided in a few weeks time, it looks like senior footballers are treating the Tailteann Cup with the respect and seriousness that it merits while this win here rescues something tangible from the season for the U20 footballers.

Defeats by Westmeath and Dublin had eliminated them from the championship proper before they snatched victory from a soul destroying defeat by a second string Meath team in their final group game.

The performances of Offaly underage football teams since the 2021 All-Ireland U20 win has resulted in questions being asked about the efficiency of the set up in the younger grades. That, however, is a debate for another day and there are no obvious answers or failings, other than Offaly have slipped back significantly since the sensational 2021 success and an examination is needed.

They now have an opportunity for revenge against Westmeath in the final next Tuesday evening. The venue will be decided by Leinster Council on Wednesday morning but it will be in either Offaly or Westmeath, and if Offaly gets the venue, then O'Connor Park and an earlier throw in is the obvious fixture.

Offaly did well to win here and the way they pulled the win out of the bag, the spirit and fighting qualities they had to show to do so in the closing quarter was the most pleasing aspect of the evening.

0-9 to 0-8 behind at half time, a Cillian Foran goal after very good approach play by Kaelem Bryan saw Offaly take a 1-9 to 0-11 lead three minutes into the second half. They didn't, however, build on that and three points gave Carlow a 0-14 to 1-9 lead after 43 minutes.

Briefly, it looked like Offaly would throw in the towel but a great two point free from Kaelem Bryan levelled it up with fifteen minutes left. Carlow got back in front with a Brandy Cassidy free two minutes later but that proved to be their final score.

Offaly got on top all over the field in the closing quarter, finally getting up to championship level intensity Bryan pointed a free and very effective subs Steven Doran and Brian Carroll raced through for points to give them a 1-14 to 0-15 lead with seven minutes left. Bryan then set up the excellent Dara Bates for a match clinching goal moments later and added a point for good measure – Offaly spurned other easy chances after this and sub Cian Bracken will be wondering how he didn't get an injury time goal but the key was not to concede a three pointer at the other end and they defended well to hold out for the win.

The main pre-match debate here was on whether the U20 footballers would show any appetite at all for the Andrew Corden Cup or would continue the same trend.

The reality was some where in the middle in the first half as both sides served up an enjoyable game, playing decent football, albeit without the true bite of high stakes championship football.

It looked like Offaly might not bother a whole lot early on as two pointers from Liam Gavin and Jake Nolan helped the visitors to a 0-6 to 0-2 lead after eleven minutes.

Offaly settled down very well after this with Eoin Dunne winning good ball at midfield, Christian McKeon raiding very effectively from the back and Dara Bates leading the charge from centre forward. They got six of the next seven points to lead by 0-8 top 0-7 after 25 minutes, Ciaran Scully, McKeon, Cillian Foran and Kaelem Bryan getting scores from play.

Two points from the excellent Liam Gavin gave Carlow a 0-9 to 0-8 interval lead and left it wide open for the second half.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Kaelem Bryan (Offaly): Offaly had a few contenders with Christian McKeon having a super game in the defence. He defended well and his drives forward helped get Offaly going after their poor start. Once again Dara Bates had a huge influence on the game, very good on the ball and driving at their opponents from centre forward – the Shamrocks man is developing into a very good prospect.

You could go with McKeon or Bates and stand over it but it would be wrong to ignore the contribution of Kaelem Bryan in the attack. On a day when some of his colleagues struggled to get going up front, he was very good and kept trying to do the right thing, even when the energy levels dipped briefly elsewhere. His second half two point free changed the game and he set up both goals – he showed his quality with the second one as he carried the ball deep into enemy territory, turning down a tap over point and laying off for Brian Carroll to find the net.

John Phiri was outstanding for Carlow at midfield for long periods but David O'Rourke and Eoin Carroll, with great assistance from sub Brian Carroll, worked very honestly to firstly ensure that Offaly weren't overwhelmed and eventually getting on top.

Jack Daly and Jake Maher, who had early problems on Liam Gavin, also caught the eye in a very solid defensive display.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Kaelem Bryan 0-9 (1 2pf, 5f), Cillian Foran 1-1, Dara Bates 1-0, Christian McKeon, Jack Maher, Ciaran Scully, Brian Carroll and Steven Doran 0-1 each.

Carlow: Liam Gavin 0-7 (1 2p, 1 2pf, 1f), Brandon Cassidy (2f) and Jake Nolan (1 2p) 0-3 each, Ian Craddock and Daniel Bolger 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Conor Meila (Bracknagh); Jack Daly (Tullamore), Christian McKeon (Clara), Charlie Keogh (Bracknagh); Harry Goulding (Edenderry), Jake Maher (Ferbane), Jack Maher (Tullamore); David O'Rourke (Shamrocks), Eoin Dunne (Clodiagh Gaels); Dara Cuddihy (Walsh Island), Dara Bates (Shamrocks), Davin Keegan (Tullamore); Ciaran Scully (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Cillian Foran (Edenderry), Kaelum Bryan (Edenderry). Subs – Brian Carroll (Ferbane) for Cuddihy (21m), Conor Fox (Tubber) for Scully (40m), Steven Doran (Ballinamere) for Keegan (40m), Luke Kelly (Doon) for Foran (43m), Cian Bracken (Daingean) for Bates (58m),

CARLOW: Aaron Power; Daire Byrne, Ross Moran, Tom Dillon; Evan Corr, Eoin Myres, Jack Deacy; Cillian Moore, John Phiri; Marc Mulhall, Liam Gavin, Darragh Fitzgerald; Brandon Cassidy, Jake Nolan, Ian Carrock. Subs – Cathal Healy for Moore (HT), Daniel Bolger for Fitzgerald (HT), Alex Callaghan for Moran (57m), Ruairc Murray for Craddock (58m), Jamie Coakley for Mulhall (58m).

Referee – Cathal Boland, Westmeath

REFEREE WATCH

Cathal Boland had a good game. He explained his decisions and communicated well with his officials.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The two point free Kaelem Bryan kicked in the 45^th minute was crucial. It levelled it up and was the only two pointer Offaly got – Carlow got three of them. Conor Melia was very good in goals but didn't find the range with his long range kicks. He had come up the field for that one about 45 metres out and to the right, and then made himself available for a short one when he was waved away from it. Bryan had a look but eventually went for it himself, arrowing a great kick over the bar, providing the springboard for Offaly's late charge.

VENUE WATCH

There was very small interest in this second tier competition and as expected, there wasn't much of an atmosphere in Faithful Fields.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly go into the final against Westmeath next Tuesday while the season is over for Carlow.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly – 8 (3 in first half); Carlow - 9 (5 in first half).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 2 (Jack Daly and David O'Rourke); Carlow – 0.

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0