Fire-power an issue as much improved Offaly fall to third consecutive defeat

CIRCUMSTANCES have contrived to make things difficult for Offaly on their return to Division of the National Hurling League and a third consecutive defeat in Walsh Park, Waterford on Sunday kept them firmly on course for relegation.

National Hurling League Division 1 Round 3

Waterford 1-19

Offaly 0-16

With games to come against Galway, Limerick and Cork, it is hard to envisage Offaly getting any points from the campaign but at least there were a good few more green shoots here, more positives for manager Johnny Kelly to grasp on as they have a much needed weekend off now.

A very highly motivated Offaly gave much improved performance, trailing by 0-10 to 0-9 after a really hard working, honest first half and competing well for much of the second half before they, almost inevitably, ran out of steam in the closing quarter, falling away to an expected defeat.

It was a very decent performance by Offaly and they were completely honest but forward fire-power is becoming a big problem for them. While Waterford far from shot the lights out, Offaly's attack did not have a really productive afternoon and the sixteen points they amassed was a nice few short of what is needed to win games in Division 1.

The conditions were a factor in this here. The day was nice with very little wind but the pitch was heavy and Waterford were a good bit off that 24/25 point mark that the marquee teams seem to hit as a matter of course now – they only scored 1-19 with twelve of those points coming from Reuben Halloran placed balls. That was a tribute to an excellent defensive display by Offaly, who worked their socks off. The forward line also emptied the tank but scoring was a big problem for them – they really should have scored a goal or two while they just didn't get enough shots at points off over the seventy minutes plus.

Still Offaly can be proud of the way they battled and while victory was out of reach in the closing few minutes, they were not that far off and a goal would have changed things.

Injuries to key players and Fitzgibbon Cup commitments have handicapped Offaly's already remote prospects of survival but games against the country's top teams are an invaluable learning step for them and trips like Sunday's one to Waterford so beneficial.

When the league fixtures were released late last year, the trip to Walsh Park stood out as a big target, providing at least some opportunity for a morale boosting win. With such influential performers as Ciaran Burke, Killian Sampson, Donal Shirley and Charlie Mitchell among a lengthy injury list, their odds transformed from the outside to the long category.

After suffering a heavy defeat against Tipperary the previous Sunday, Offaly's first requirement here was a general all round improvement with more intensity and increased work rate. Tipperary were able to power through Offaly with alarming ease at times and irrespective of the result, the visitors needed to work much harder as a unit.

Offaly's team was picked with all that in mind. Ross Ravenhill returned to familiar territory on the half back line, adding much needed strength there as he unceremoniously stopped a few players in their tracks – he was a definite loss when he went off injured just before half time. They also dispensed with the experiment of a full forward line with three similar players in Oisin Kelly, Brian Duignan and Ciaran Cleary. Kelly went to the half forward line, adding pace and physicality there while Duignan started on the inside line and Cleary was on the bench.

Their team had a better balance about it here and Offaly certainly started in the right frame of mind, hitting Waterford hard and moving well. Another big target for Offaly was to exceed 20 points, a tally you must surpass to win top level games. It was clear from the start that this was very unlikely to happen – they trailed by 0-5 to 0-3 after 15 minutes but their three points were all Adam Screeney frees and most worryingly, they were finding it almost impossible to get shots away in open play.

The improving Luke Watkins did get their first point from play in the 18^th minute to make it 0-6 to 0-4 as Offaly turned over good ball in defence. Offaly's scoring rate improved after this as Adam Screeney floated over a breathtaking point from play and Oisin Kelly converted his chance to make it 0-7 to 0-6 with ten minutes to go to the break. Screeney's second point from play a couple of minutes later made it 0-8 to 0-7, though he had only goal on his mind as he gained possession inside the Waterford cover.

Screeney was excellent in the first half, levelling it up with a tap over free and then having an uncharacteristic wide with the type of chance he would normally convert with his eyes closed, after brilliantly winning the ball and turning his man. Brian Duignan almost got in for a goal as well after making a great catch from a Dan Ravenhill free but he got a point that left Offaly 0-10 to 0-9 behind at the break, and they would have taken that before the start.

More of the same would have been Johnny Kelly's mantra at the break and he certainly got that as Offaly continued to work their socks off in the second half. They were 0-12 to 0-10 behind after 45 minutes and should have had a goal when Brian Duignan got in but Billy Nolan saved well with Adam Screeney just failing to connect with the follow up.

Offaly really had to have at least one goal on the board at this stage to win and they had created all the chances up to this with three decent openings missed. There was almost an air of inevitability about the way it proceeded from here. Firstly, Offaly players began to go into the red all over the field as the heavy underfoot conditions took their toll. This enabled Waterford to get on top all over as they opened a 0-15 to 0-10 lead by the 52^nd minute. They were already on the road to victory and would almost certainly have won anyway but when they got a goal chance they took it – Calum Lyons off loading to Reuben Halloran who finished superbly from close range in the 53^rd minute.

Offaly were a beaten docket at this stage as Waterford cruised home in the closing quarter. Offaly did get six points in the closing ten minutes with David Nally and Dan Bourke scoring from play but Waterford endured no late anxiety as they got a second win.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Reuben Halloran (Waterford): Reuben Halloran's accuracy from frees was a big factor in Waterford's win. He was also lively in open play and took his goal very well.

Offaly had several players performing at a high level. Brecon Kavanagh was outstanding in defence for a lot of the game, though he tired late on and would normally be replaced by fresh legs if Offaly had more options. This happened a few players and Offaly had no option but to leave them on the field. Mark Troy was very good on his return to the goals, using the ball very well while you had to admire the way Ben Miller played, as he tackled tenaciously and got in simple hooks and blocks and Ben Conneely was rock solid beside him.

Cathal King put in a terrific shift at midfield, running himself into the ground while Adam Screeney was very much the star man in an attack where Offaly's work ethic and desire was beyond reproach but creativity and scoring was an issue.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Adam Screeney 0-10 (8f), Dan Ravenhill (fr), Luke Watkins, Dan Bourke, Oisin Kelly, Brian Duignan and David Nally 0-1 each.

Waterford: Reuben Halloran 1-12 (9f and 3 '65s'), Billy Nolan, Jamie Barron, Calum Lyons, Michael Kiely, Patrick Curran, Stephen Bennett and Sean Walsh 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Mark Troy (Durrow); Ben Miller (Birr), Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's), Sam Bourk. (Durrow); Dan Ravenhill (Durrow), Brecon Kavanagh (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Ross Ravenhill (Durrow); Luke Watkins (Shinrone), Cathal King (Carrig-Riverstown); Ter Guinan (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Dan Bourke (Durrow), Oisin Kelly (Belmont); Eoghan Cahill (Birr), Brian Duignan (Durrow), Adam Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey). Subs – Jack Clancy (Belmont) for Ross Ravenhill (34m, blood but Ravenhill didn't come back on), Patrick Taaffe (Belmont) for Sam Bourke (54m), Colin Spain (Kilcormac-Killoughey) for Guinan (54m), Ciaran Cleary (Shinrone) for Watkins (56m), David Nally (Belmont) for Cahill (60m), Luke Nolan (Birr) for Screeney (73m).

WATERFORD: Billy Nolan; Aaron O'Neill, Daniel Lalor, Conor Keane; Brian Lynch, Iarfhlaith Daly, Shane Bennett; Carthach Daly, Darragh Lyons; Tom O'Connell, Jamie Barron, Calum Lyons; Reuben Halloran, Michael Kelly, Patrick Curran. Subs – Mark Fitzgerald for Daly (HT), Stephen Bennett for O'Connell (HT), Charlie Treen for Curran (56m), Sean Mackey for Lalor (59m), Sean Walsh for Kiely (62m), Martin Power for Keane (68m).

Referee – Chris Mooney, Dublin.

REFEREE WATCH

A vastly experienced referee, Chris Mooney handled it well and there were no issues. He blew for a couple of dodgy handpasses, missed others but this all balanced out.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Adam Screeney and Brian Duignan (2) could have very easily have goals for Waterford with the two point return from those chances not enough. Reuben Halloran made no mistake with his chance in the 53^rd minute, giving Waterford a 1-15 to 0-10 lead and putting the game beyond Offaly's reach.

VENUE WATCH

Walsh Park is a very nice venue and there was a nice crowd here with a good atmosphere. Waterford are one of those counties who offer a genuinely affectionate welcome to visiting fans and this was once again the case.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly have a week off before Galway come to Birr.

STATISTICS

Wides; Offaly - 8 (6 in first half); Waterford – 12 (6 in first half).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 4 (Cathal King, Brian Duignan, Eoghan Cahill, Ben Miller); Waterford – 4 (Carthach Daly, Brian Lynch, Shane Bennett, Daniel Lalor).

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0