Final quarter surge helps Offaly Schools claim valuable victory

Leinster Senior Hurling 'A' Group Team Final

OFFALY SCHOOLS 2-17

DUBLIN SOUTH SCHOOLS 1-15

A TERRIFIC final quarter fight back saw Offaly Schools claim victory in the Leinster Senior Hurling 'A' Group Team Final at The Faithful Fields on Sunday morning.

Playing into the teeth of a strong wind in the second half, it looked ominous for Offaly Schools when Dublin South goaled midway through the second half to overturn a five point interval deficit and earn a two point lead, but OffalySchools fought back and hit 1-5 without reply to claim a fantastic victory.

It was a great comeback by Offaly Schools, who looked in serious trouble midway through that second half but a second goal with nine minutes left pushed them back in front and they pushed on from there. Dublin South were unable to respond and only managed one more point after their goal, a point deep in injury time.

Victory earns Offaly Schools a place in the quarter finals of the Leinster Championship and they will travel to face Colaiste Mhuire Mullingar in that tie in the week beginning January 5^th. They will take great encouragement from this victory as they look to make further progress in the new year.

Conditions were difficult for both teams with a strong wind blowing from the road goals but considering all the rain we've had recently, the pitch was in good condition. Offaly had first use of the wind and they had a good first quarter, leading by 1-5 to 0-2 midway through the first half. Dublin South worked their way back into the game and cut the lead back to three points in the second quarter. A run of four points put Offaly seven up but two late points in the half left Offaly leading by 1-10 to 0-8 at the interval.

Taking the strength of the wind into consideration, one wondered if a five point lead would be enough for Offaly and those worries were exacerbated in the third quarter as Dublin Schools quickly ate into the Offaly lead reducing the gap to a single point 11minutes into the half. Three minutes later they found the net to go two up and all the momentum seemed to be with the Dublin South side.

They missed a couple of chances to extend their lead but Offaly dug in and cut the lead to a single point with 10 minutes to go. They started to regain a footing in the game and when Odhran Fletcher fired in his second goal their tails were up again and they piled on the pressure to build up a six point advantage and Dublin South had no response.

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Offaly Schools showed great character to fight their way back into the game in the final quarter. Dublin South had shown their ability against the wind to keep the gap to five points at the break and they looked full of confidence as they reeled Offaly in in the third quarter but inexplicably, having put themselves in a winning position miday through that second half, they completely lost their way in the final quarter as Offaly showed grit and determination to work their way back into the game and to deservedly claim victory in the end.

Offaly had some impressive performers and Joe Moloughney was solid at full back while Andrew Hogan and Michael Dooley got on a lot of ball in the half back line. Captain James O'Sullivan put in a good shift at midfield while in attack Odhran Fletcher was the star performer with strong support from Macdara Mitchell, Conor Egan and James Hennessy.

For Dublin South captain Colm McCabe worked hard at full back and James Norris and wing back Conor Quinn, who scored three points from play, also did well in defence while midfielder Tommy Cullen contributed from both play and frees. In attack both Callum Dee and Sean Culleton did well.

Dublin South took the lead in the second minute against the wind when Tommy Cullen pointed. Odhran Fletcher quickly levelled for Offaly and then put the home side in front but Dublin South got back on level terms after five minutes when Jack Mills was on target.

Offaly then enjoyed a productive spell as the three members of the full forward line, James Hennessy, Macdara Mitchell and Odhran Fletcher all pointed in quick succession. Then after 13 minutes they found the net when Donal Dooley, Conor Egan and Macdara Mitchell were involved in the build up and Odhran Fletcher finished low to the net.

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Conor Quinn and Odhran Fletcher (free) exchanged points before Sean Culleton, Tommy Cullen (free) and Declan Power all pointed for Dublin to leave just a goal between the sides. Offaly responded well and Odhran Fletcher, James O'Sullivan (2) and Macdara Mitchell pointed to open up a seven point lead but Dublin South finished the half well and Tommy Cullen and Callum Dee added late points to leave just five points between the sides at half time, 1-10 to 0-8.

Conor Quinn pointed again for Dublin South just 35 seconds after the restart but Macdara Mitchell replied with an Offaly point. Points from Ted Duke and two Tommy Cullen frees cut the gap to two points seven minutes after the resumption and Offaly were under pressure. Callum Dee then cut it back to a single point but an Odhran Fletcher free steadied Offaly a little bit.

However Tommy Cullen replied with a free and then 14 minutes into the half the ball broke out of a ruck on the right and Sean Culleton raced away to fire the ball to the Offaly net and put Dublin South two up.

Offaly had a couple of chances to cut the gap but failed to take them before Odhran Fletcher pointed a free with 10 minutes left. A minute later came the all important second goal. The ball was worked in from the left and when the ball broke loose Odhran Fletcher pulled first time to send the ball to the net. He followed up with a free and Conor Egan added another. Macdara Mitchell hit his fourth point before Odhran Fletcher's free put Offaly six up. Conor Quinn got a late point for Dublin South but Offaly held on for a five point win.

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MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

OFFALY SCHOOLS: Aodhan Carroll (Cistercian College - CCR/Drumcullen); Oisin Carroll (CCR/Kilcormac/Killoughey), Joe Moloughney (St Brendan's CS/Coolderry), Rory Dunican (Gallen CS/Ferbane-Belmont); Eamonn Maher (Gallen CS/Ferbane-Belmont), Andrew Hogan (St Brendan's CS/Coolderry), Michael Dooley (St Brendan's CS/Kinnitty); James O'Sullivan (CCR/Shinrone), Donal Dooley (Colaiste Choilm Tullamore/Shamrocks); Sean Carey (St Brendan's CS/Seir Kieran), Conor Egan (Presentation SS Killina/Shamrocks), Ruairi Fay (CCR/Kinnity); Odhran Fletcher (CCR/Kilcormac/Killoughey), James Hennessy (Colaiste Naomh Cormac/Drumcullen), Macdara Mitchell (Presentation SS Killina/Kilcormac/Killoughey). Subs. Sean Finlay (Colaiste Choilm/Tullamore) (for Ruairi Fay, 35 mins), Jack Dunican (Colaiste Naomh Cormac/Kilcormac/Killoughey) (for Donal Dooley, 49 mins).

DUBLIN SOUTH SCHOOLS: Luke Kilmurray; James Ryan, Colm McCabe, Cole Condon; Conor Quinn, James Norris, Tadhg Murnane; Tommy Cullen, Odhran McGuckin; Ted Duke, Callum Dee, Jack Mills; Sean Culleton, Eoghan Brennan, Declan Power. Subs. Josh Graham (for James Ryan, half time), Fintan Lydon (for Odhran McGuckin, 39 mins), Jack Quinlan (for Cole Condon, 52 mins), Derry Ware (for Tadhg Murnane, 56 mins).

REFEREE: James McGrath (Westmeath).

MAN OF THE MATCH

With a tally of 2-9 out of 2-17, Odhran Fletcher was the standout forward on duty. 2-4 of that tally came from play and while he missed a couple of frees into the wind, his overall shooting accuracy was a huge factor in Offaly's win. He got good support in the attack but it was his ability to pick off scores which made the big difference.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Offaly's second goal nine minutes from the end was the score that swung the match back in Offaly's favour. Dublin South looked to have taken the initiative when they went in front midway through the half with the strong wind behind them but once Odhran Fletcher first timed a great effort to the Dublin South net the pendulum swung back in Offaly's direction and they held on from there.

REFEREE WATCH

The experienced James McGrath took charge of this contest of did a good job. Dublin South felt a couple of late decisions went against them but overall the referee did a good job in letting things flow as much as possible and controlled things well throughout.

WHAT’S NEXT

Offaly Schools will face Colaiste Mhuire Mullingar away in the quarter finals of the Leinster Championships in the week beginning January 5^th.

VENUE WATCH

Considering all the rain there has been in recent weeks, The Faithful Fields was in good condition for this game. There were some bumpy patches with players having difficulty rising the ball on occasion but overall the pitch was good. It was nice to see a programme for the game but unfortunately the Dublin South team listed had a significant number of changes in jersey numbers and personnel from that which lined out.

STATISTICS

Wides; Offaly Schools 9 (5 in first half) Dublin South Schools 11 (6 in first half)

Yellow Cards: None

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Offaly Schools; Odhran Fletcher (2-9, 0-5 frees), Macdara Mitchell (0-4), James O'Sullivan (0-2), James Hennessy, Conor Egan (0-1 each).

Dublin South Schools; Tommy Cullen (0-6, 0-4 frees), Sean Culleton (1-1), Conor Quinn (0-3), Callum Dee (0-2), Jack Mills, Declan Power, Ted Duke (0-1 each).

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