Offaly make hard work of disposing of tougher than expected Waterford challenge

OFFALY made very hard work of getting the win that they had to get when they did just enough to beat a tougher than anticipated challenge from Waterford in the Tailteann Cup in Waterford on Saturday afternoon.

Tailteann Cup Senior Football Group 2 Round 2

Offaly 1-18

Waterford 1-13

It was a long way removed from a five star showing by Offaly as they missed a lot of chances and were not 100 miles off suffering a devastating result against a very brave Waterford side.

On a very warm day that really drained the energy levels of players, Offaly were the better team and always looked like they would win but they were never comfortable and it could have unravelled for them.

They missed too many chances in the first half and left the door open well into the second half but Offaly controlled the last few minutes and got away with a substandard display that certainly won't be good enough to win the Tailteann Cup.

As the game wore on, it was all about getting out of Waterford with the win and they did that, which is the bottom line, showing sufficient desire and hunger to get the job done.

Offaly had the lion's share of possession in the first half and their half time lead of 0-8 to 1-2 in no way reflected this.

They really should have had the game in the bag at the break but the forwards had a bit of a nightmare for the first twenty minutes. They had nine wides in the first half and many of these should have been scores with Jack Bryant, Jordan Hayes and Kyle Higgins among the guilty players.

Cormac Egan got Offaly off the mark in the first minute and they should have turned the screw but missed too much and as often happens in these cases, Waterford broke for a goal against the run of play in the fifth minute – Daire McDaid lost Stephen Curry briefly and his shot was deflected into the path of Dylan Guiry who goaled.

Offaly also went for two pointers that were not really on and it was the 14^th minute before Cillian Bourke settled them with a much needed point. The forwards improved as the half wore on and their conversion rate was better. It was 1-1 to 0-3 after 18 minutes and a run of five points on the run from Shane Tierney, Daire McDaid, Cathal Flynn and Jack Bryant (2) pushed them four clear.

Jason Curry's free made it a three point game at half time and Offaly still had plenty of work to do.

Offaly found it hard to get going for a lot of the second half and didn't help themselves when missing a great goal chance in the 36^th minute – Cillian Bourke's first shot was brilliantly saved while Jack Bryant really should have buried the rebound but went for power rather than placement and it was blocked. At least the excellent Shane Tierney got a point from the rebound.

A two pointer from Michael O'Brien levelled it up at 1-6 to 0-9 after 42 minutes and there was real ground for concern among the small visiting support.

Cormac Egan and Cathal Flynn began to drive at their opponents and Egan almost got through for a goal before Flynn blasted to the net in the 48^th minute after an interchange with Kyle Higgins to give Offaly a 1-10 to 1-6 lead.

They were 1-13 to 1-7 ahead after 55 minutes, 1-14 to 1-8 up after 61 but again, they didn't put their opponents away. Caolan MacCathmhaoil got a point and a two pointer from Waterford's best player Jason Curry brought it back to a goal, 1-14 to 1-11.

Offaly were on tricky ground but kept their composure and retained the ball very efficiently. Rory Egan got two late points and Jordan Hayes and Shane Tierney also got scores as a relieved Offaly secured the win, meaning that a third Waterford two pointer, this time from Conor Murray didn't matter.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Cathal Flynn (Offaly): Cathal Flynn has brought his football to a breath taking new level this year and he had another super game. His composure on the ball, work rate, running at pace commanded the utmost of respect and apart from his super goal, he was instrumental in the win – there were times when he could have taken shots on but he gave an almost flawless display, hardly giving a ball away.

Shane Tierney also had an excellent game in the attack, scoring four of his five points from play while Cormac Egan was superb before going off, holding his hamstring. David Dempsey, Lee Pearson and Diarmuid Egan impressed in defence while Dylan Hyland and Rory Egan made a great impact off the bench – Hyland injected new life into Offaly after coming on and was taken off 10 minutes later after picking up a yellow card. Hyland was also carrying an injury which was why he didn't start while his replacement Aaron Kellaghan showed up very well before running into the red and being called ashore. Cillian Bourke, a starter instead of the injured Keith O'Neill, also put in a great shift and showed how big of an addition he is to the team.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Shane Tierney 0-5 (1f), Cathal Flynn 1-1, Jordan Hayes, Dylan Hyland, Jack Bryant and Rory Egan 0-2 each, Daire McDaid, Cormac Egan, Cillian Bourke and Aaron Kellaghan 0-1 each.

Waterford: Jason Curry 0-6 (1 2p, 1f and 1 '45'), Dylan Guiry 1-0, Michael O'Brien 0-4 (1 2p and 1f), Conor Murray 0-2 (1 2p), Caolan MacCathmhaoil 0-1.

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), Cillian Bourke (Tullamore); Aaron Kellaghan (Rhode), Jack Bryant (Shamrocks), Shane Tierney (Daingean). Subs – Dylan Hyland (Raheen) for Kellaghan (46m), Rory Egan (Edenderry) for Cormac Egan (50m), Ruari McNamee (Rhode) for Hyland (58m), Aaron Leavy (Tullamore) for Furlong (68m), Marcas Dalton (Clara) for Diarmuid Egan (70m),

WATERFORD: Aaron Beresford; Tommy Martin, Caoimhin Walsh, Billy Hynes; Conor O'Cuirrin, Joe Booth Donie Fitzgerald; Adam Crawford, Jason Curry; Michael O'Brien, James Power, Conor Murray; Stephen Curry, Ciaran Walsh, Dylan Guiry. Subs – Rory Furlong for Stephen Curry (51m), Alan Dunwoody for Fitzgerald (56m), Caolan MacCathmhaoil for Guiry (62m), Ciaran Looney for O'Brien (65m), Loughlin Walsh for Ciaran Walsh (70m),

Referee – Conor Lane (Cork).

REFEREE WATCH

Conor Lane had a solid game with no big issues though he gave Waterford a couple of very soft first half frees.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Cathal Flynn's 48^th minute goal was crucial to Offaly winning.

VENUE WATCH

Walsh Park was in sparkling condition and it was easy to host the small crowd.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly have a week off before they play Laois at a neutral venue while Waterford meet Wicklow.

SEE NEXT:Rejuvenated Offaly face big challenge to take Louth down off their pedestal

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly - 11 (9 in first half); Waterford - 3 (1 in first half).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 1 (Dylan Hyland); Waterford – 3 (Stephen Curry, Adam Crawford, Billy Hynes).

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0