Imperfect Offaly stop Tailteann Cup rot with very important and comfortable win

IT may have been a very imperfect display but the result was the only line that counted as Offaly got a very important win over Wicklow in round one of the Tailteann Cup in Tullamore on Saturday afternoon.

Senior Football Tailteann Cup Group 2 Round 1

Offaly 2-13

Wicklow 0-11

It was absolutely nothing earth shattering and you could pick loads of flaws in Offaly's display if you wished but that would be a pointless exercise and the win was the only thing that mattered here.

It ends a fierce bleak run of five consecutive defeats in the second tier competition and the memory of last year's horror shows against London and Limerick is still painfully fresh. Offaly were much more up for this, though it was far from a really good performance.

It was enough, however, as Offaly played with sufficient spark on the day and won with considerable comfort. It would have been even more comfortable had Dylan Hyland converted a 58^th minute penalty, his shot well saved by Mark Jackson but Division 4 side Wicklow never played well enough to make them pay for that. Indeed, Wicklow helped make it all too easy for Offaly with some very poor shooting and forward play as they only managed three second half points.

It was a decent enough display by Offaly, who were not fully up for it but were still tuned in enough. Some players were not firing on all cylinders with some of the flying younger brigade, John Furlong, who did do his defensive duty very well, Cormac Egan and Keith O'Neill not attacking with their usual energy but their desire to do well and win was still very evident in O'Connor Park.

With games to come against Waterford and Laois, this win eases a lot of the pressure on Offaly. The clouds would have got very dark if they had lost and it means that a win over Waterford next Saturday would ensure qualification from the group. That is their initial target and as they get further games under their belt, Offaly's appetite will increase, they will get going and they will attack this competition.

This was all about winning and an excellent defensive display accompanied by spells of really enterprising attacking play got them the result.

Offaly provided a very mixed bag in the first half and were grateful to be ahead by 2-6 to 0-8 at half time. An excellent Diarmuid Egan goal after a great Jordan Hayes break forward should have been a launching pad for Offaly in the fourth minute. Egan did really well to make the space and finish well into the left corner after Hayes' pass but Offaly went back into a shell on that.

Egan's goal gave them a 1-0 to 0-1 lead but they allowed Wicklow to have way too much of the ball after that. They defended well and with discipline, with Wicklow penalised for over carrying three times in the half but the visitors had five points on the board by the time Offaly got their first point from Shane Tierney in the 18^th minute.

Memories of the London fiasco last year came flooding back as Kyle Higgins and Dylan Hyland dropped shots short and Jack McEvoy hit the post when he should have fisted over the bar. Wicklow led by 0-7 to 1-1 after 20 minutes but Offaly's attack finally got going coming up to half time.

Jack Bryant got a great two pointer and points from Dylan Hyland (free), Shane Tierney and Bryant again had them 1-6 to 0-7 ahead. Mark Kenny got a Wicklow point before Offaly got a crucial second goal in injury time, Bryant finishing very well after a sensational Cathal Flynn ball in over the top to him to give them a four point interval lead.

The second half was a bit of a non event as Offaly played within themselves to an extent while Wicklow never looked like salvaging it. Offaly left the door open a bit longer than they would be comfortable with a Wicklow goal could have made it very tight but the visitors never really looked like manufacturing one. Offaly got three of the first four points for a 2-9 to 0-9 lead after 48 minutes and never looked like losing it from here.

Points from Dylan Hyland and impressive sub Ruari McNamee pushed the gap out to seven, 2-11 to 0-10 and that gave Offaly the breathing space they needed – McNamee and Cillian Bourke made a very positive impact off the bench with Bourke almost getting in for a 61^st minute goal. It was 2-11 to 0-11 when Jack Bryant was fouled for the penalty and the gap was big enough to ensure that Offaly didn't have to panic.

It might have been different had Mark Jackson not been wide with a two point free moments later but his miss was typical of Wicklow's second half display. Instead Dylan Hyland's 61^st minute point restored a seven point lead and Offaly were able to close out the deal very easily from here – a two point free attempt from Oisin McGraynor almost ended up in the Offaly net after hitting the post but even a goal then wouldn't have rescued a mediocre Wicklow side.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jack Bryant (Offaly): There is a temptation to go with David Dempsey who was the glue that held a very solid defence together. Dempsey was immense when Offaly were in bother during the first half and he gave a master class in doing what he was supposed to be doing, displaying real leadership as well.

Jack Bryant's contribution, however, can't be ignored. The Shamrocks man was exceptional up front, scoring 1-5. His first half two pointer was crucial and his injury time goal gave Offaly the cushion they needed. He was hungry, sharp and his movement was excellent.

Cathal Flynn also had a super game for Offaly, dictating the flow and pace of a lot of their play. Midfield was a problem, though Jordan Hayes improved as it went on while Shane Tierney helped get the Offaly attack going in the second quarter, Dylan Hyland was very good in the second half as he showed his value to the attack and Diarmuid Egan showed he is well worth his place on the team after returning from injury, defending and attacking well from wing back.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Jack Bryant 1-5 (1 2p), Dylan Hyland 0-4 (1f), Diarmuid Egan 1-0, Shane Tierney 0-2, Cathal Flynn and Ruari McNamee 0-1 each.

Wicklow: Mark Jackson (2pf), Oisin McGraynor (2f), Kevin Quinn (1f) and Mark Kenny 0-2 each, Dean Healy, Cathal Baker and Conor Fee 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Paddy Dunican (Shamrocks); Lee Pearson (Edenderry), David Dempsey (Ballycommon), Daire McDaid (Tullamore); Diarmuid Egan (Tullamore), John Furlong (Tullamore), Cormac Egan (Tullamore); Jack McEvoy (Clonbullogue), Jordan Hayes (Edenderry); Kyle Higgins (Ferbane), Cathal Flynn (Ferbane), Keith O'Neill (Clonbullogue); Dylan Hyland (Raheen), Jack Bryant (Shamrocks), Shane Tierney (Daingean). Subs – Ruari McNamee (Rhode) for O'Neill (46m), Cillian Bourke (Tullamore) for McEvoy (54m), Rory Egan (Edenderry) for Diarmuid Egan (66m), Aaron Kellaghan (Rhode) for Tierney (68m), Marcas Dalton (Clara) for Higgins (71m),

WICKLOW: Mark Jackson; Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Joe Prendergast, Patrick O'Keane, Darragh Fee; Dean Healy, Padraig O'Toole; John Paul Nolan, Eoin Darcy, Cian Deering; Oisin McGraynor, Kevin Quinn, Mark Kenny. Subs – Cathal Baker for John Paul Nolan, inj. (5m), Paidi Kavanagh for Baker (53m), Conor Fee for Darcy (53m), Jack Kirwan for Kenny (59m), Adam Arslan for Deering (66m),

Referee – Niall Cullen (Fermanagh).

REFEREE WATCH

Niall Cullen gave a couple of soft frees but these balanched out and he was fair overall.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Jack Bryant's first half injury time goal was pivotal to Offaly's win. It gave them a half time cushion that their first half display scarcely warranted and it meant they were able to control a lot of the second half.

VENUE WATCH

The O'Connor Park pitch was in the best condition it has been this year and there was a small crowd present, not helped by the early 1.30pm throw in.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly are away to Waterford next Saturday.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly – 6 (4 in first half); Wexford – 10 (4 in first half).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 0; Wicklow – 2 (Joe Prendergast and Dean Healy).

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0