Powerful late rally earns deserved semi-final berth as Offaly battle back from brink of devastating defeat

PERFORMING below expectations for most of the year, Offaly finally came good to record a super win over Meath in the Leinster Minor Football Championship quarter-final at Navan on Wednesday evening.

Leinster Minor Football Championship quarter-final

Offaly 4-11

Meath 2-14

They displayed terrific character and fighting spirit on a day when they missed a few chances and a few things went wrong but didn't break their morale. Instead, they kept working, kept trying to do the right thing and rallied late to get a fully deserved win.

Offaly were the better team on the day but it looked like they might blow it as they trailed by two points, 2-14 to 3-9 with just over a minute remaining. Offaly should never have been in that position as they had ample chances to have been able to cruise home while it also looked like they were going to pay a very punishing price for a few mistakes further out the field.

Instead they got the break they needed when sub Paddy Burns got the all important fourth goal in the 59^th minute. Cian McNamee and Dylan Dunne combined superbly with McNamee turning down the shooting opportunity and Burns fisting to the net from close range.

With over three minutes of injury time to be played, Meath had ample time to get a draw and force extra time but Offaly defended with a composure that belied their tender years. They didn't commit a soft foul and kept the ball very efficiently at the back.

Three minutes into injury time, goalkeeper Jack Ryan gave them breathing space when he booted over a superb two point free from the 45 metre line after Meath didn't retreat quick enough when the excellent Tadgh Kelly was fouled.

It was a tremendous win by Offaly, their best performance of a stuttering year when they produced flashes of real promise but not on a consistent basis and also had some very poor displays. They did dice with danger at times and if they had lost it, they would have had only themselves to blame and the plaudits about a great effort and their bravery would have all rang a bit hollow.

Offaly played their best football of the year in the first half and the controlled nature of their football really caught the eye.

They were in no way flattered by their 2-5 to 1-5 interval lead and in fact it should have been much bigger. They definitely left 1-3 behind them in the first half while some other half chances went abegging.

It still represented a very decent first half by Offaly and gave them a real chance. A Ruari Woods goal when he pulled on a breaking ball in the second minute gave them a dream start as Offaly hit the ground running. Cian McNamee, off his much weaker left foot, and Dylan Dunne missed good chances in the next couple of minutes before Aaron Daly kicked a fine point to put them 1-1 to no score ahead after five minutes.

Meath got a lucky break with a fortunate eight minute goal when Stephen Cahill's shot for a point dipped in over Jack Ryan out who was a fraction off his line. Will Byrne levelled and the sides were level twice more as Offaly did well to steady the ship. Dylan Dunne missed a great goal chance in the 21^st minute as his shot from close range took a deflection onto the crossbar.

Their second goal in the 24^th minute came against the head as Charlie Duffy did very well to challenge Charlie Finnegan for a Cathal Weldon ball and get it into the net.

Cian McNamee added an excellent point – the Rhode man kicked two points and had three wides in the first half – before Stephen Cahill's score left a goal in it at the break.

The second half was a tremendously exciting, entertaining affair, full of twists and turns,. Eamon Maher put Offaly four clear straight after the restart but they were soon forced onto the back foot. Meath got three in a row to make it 2-6 to 1-8 after 41 minutes. Offaly hit a brief purple patch and it looked like it would win the day. Ruari Woods kicked a great two pointer and Charlie Duffy blasted home a super goal to make it 3-8 to 1-8 after 44 minutes.

Offaly allowed Meath back into it almost immediately. Sub Sean Delaney settled them with a two pointer that smacked of kick and hope and Offaly coughed up a soft 46^th minute goal when Charlie Duffy gave a sloppy pass at midfield, Meath broke and Cormac Murray left Meath a point behind, 3-8 to 2-10.

Offaly missed a great goal chance in the 49^th minute when Charlie Finnegan saved from Ruari Woods but Cian McNamee gave them a crucial two point lead with a 52^nd minute free. Meath launched a fierce onslaught from here. Adam McEvoy and Stephen Cahill, after Jack Ryan saved superbly from Jeff Foley levelled it up and Charlie Gallagher's 58^th minute two pointer looked a match winner.

Instead, the visitors found the courage and reserves to pull it out of the fire from here and it was a real old fashioned Offaly win where they kept driving right to the end, never gave up and got the late scores.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Eoin Rouse (Offaly): Eoin Rouse's return from injury has been instrumental to Offaly's revival and he had another excellent game – his influence is shown by the fact that he could have been man oif the match in the three games he has played. The selection of him at wing back instead of midfield looked questionable, even if there was obvious logic in restricting the ground he was required to cover as he is still carrying a heavily bandaged knee. It worked a dream. The Tullamore man was so solid defensively, he got forward on several occasions, kicking a first half point, and he barely put a foot wrong, never wasting a ball. His character, work rate and obvious desire was inspirational.

Offaly had other contenders. Tadgh Kelly was rock steady in defence, doing a lot of the unseen hard work that is so necessary while Charlie Duffy put in a terrific shift at midfield, scoring 2-1 and it was only in the closing quarter when he tired and mistakes crept in.

Dylan Dunne was excellent in the attack, so good on the ball, even though he didn't score. Cian McNamee also had a super game. He showed for everything, took his man on and used the ball very well. He should have scored more as he had a few wides and if he does the work that is required on his left foot, he could very well follow in the attacking footsteps of older brother Niall McNamee. Ruairi Woods also had very good moments up front in a very honest all round display.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Charlie Duffy 2-1, Ruari Woods 1-2 (1 2p), Paddy Burns 1-0, Cian McNamee 0-3 (1f), Jack Ryan 0-2 (1 2p free), Eamon Maher, Eoin Rouse and Aaron Daly 0-1 each.

Meath: and Stephen Cahill 1-2, Cormac Murray 1-1, Nathan Reilly 0-3 (3f), Charlie Gallagher (1 2p) and Sean Delaney (1 2p) 0-2 each, Tadgh Foley, Will Byrne, Cillian Murphy and Adam McEvoy 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Jack Ryan (Doon); Caden O'Beirne (Tullamore), Tomas Carroll (Erin Rovers), Cormac Farrell (Edenderry); Patrick Duffy (Tullamore), Tadgh Kelly (Kilclonfert), Eoin Rouse (Tullamore); Eamon Maher (Ferbane), Charlie Duffy (Edenderry); Aaron Daly (Clonbullogue), Dylan Dunne (Clara), Cathal Weldon (Bracknagh); Tony Furey (Edenderry), Cian McNamee (Rhode), Ruari Woods (Belmont). Subs – Paddy Burns (Daingean) for Furey (44m), Darragh Stewart (Tullamore) for Weldon (52m), Stephen Byrne (Raheen) for Duffy (59m), Cian Duffy (Doon) for Dunne (60m),

MEATH: Charlie Finngena; Charlie O'Connor, Conall O'Sullivan, Glen Callaghan; Tadgh Foley, Eoghan McBreaty, Niall Lawless; Declan Byrne, Charlie Gallagher; Will Byrne, Cillian Murphy, Robert Johnson; Cormac Murray, Stephen Cahill, Nathan Reilly. Subs - Sean Delaney for Johnson (37m), Adam McEvoy for Reilly (44m), Lewis Ryan for Foley (46m), Jeff Foley for Byrne (51m),

Referee – Enda Kenny.

REFEREE WATCH

Enda Kenny refereed it fairly and consistently. Charlie Duffy was close to fouling the Meath goalkeeper for Offaly's second goal but the referee was in the perfect position and had no hesitation in awarding it.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Paddy Burns late goal was the match winning moment here.

VENUE WATCH

It is great for young players to get to play a big game in a venue such as Pairc Tealteann. The pitch was in fine order and the game was well hosted.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly go into the semi-finals with a home game against Kildare next Wednesday.

STATISTICS

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

Yellow cards: Offaly – 1 (Tony Furey); Meath – 2 (Declan Byrne, Lewis Ryan).

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0