Encouraging start by Offaly minor hurlers as they overwhelm 14 man Carlow

Electric Ireland Leinster Minor Hurling Championship Phase 1 Round I

OFFALY 5-26

CARLOW 0-8

OFFALY made an impressive start to their Leinster Minor Hurling campaign when they had a 33 point victory over Carlow at Netwatch Cullen Park on Sunday afternoon.

Carlow were reduced to 14 men after 21 minutes when their goalkeeper was sent off, which certainly didn't help their cause, but Offaly were just beginning to take a firm grip on proceedings at that stage and even if they had their full complement for the 60 minutes, it is unlikely that Carlow would have seriously challenged Offaly at the final whistle.

It was a very encouraging start for Brian Carroll's side and they played some lovely hurling over the hour. They played the ball around very well, took some lovely scores and simply overran Carlow. They were strong all over the field, giving very little away in defence, and their movement in the forward line meant they were always creating space for each other.

Carlow were game, particularly in the first 20 minutes, but despite being physically strong, they were unable to match Offaly's excellent team play and their effort petered out weakly in the second half when they only managed a single point from a free.

Offaly now progress to the third round of the championship on Saturday week next, while Carlow will have to pick themselves up to go again next weekend in the losers group. Four of the first round losers will meet each other with one lucky loser getting a bye to round three with the five first round winners (including Offaly), who will then be joined by the two loser group winners and they will be drawn into four games. The four winners of those games will then meet the following weekend with the two winners from that going forward to join the top four teams in the province in two groups of three in the final phase of the championship.

Offaly started brightly and a goal and a point in the first 90 seconds set them on their way. They could have added to that lead but a couple of times early on they gave a pass too many when the player in possession seemed in a better position to score himself.

Carlow came back into it in the first quarter and there was only a goal in it after 12 minutes but from there Offaly began to exert their authority. They had added four points without reply before Carlow goalkeeper Jack Ivers was red carded and although Carlow pulled a couple of points back Offaly finished the half well with four more points to take a 10 point lead into the interval.

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A goal and a point again the first minute of the second half ended any hopes of a Carlow comeback and although they did get a point after that, that was their only score of the second half. Offaly threw on five subs and some of them made a claim for inclusion the next day with Liam Mulhare scoring 1-3 and Kieran Coughlan 1-1.

The sending off was a big moment in the game but it unlikely it would have changed that outcome. The red card was possibly a bit harsh on Jack Ivers but his challenge was high so the referee was probably correct.

Offaly will be happy with their display. Adam Martin was rarely troubled in goals but in front of him Peter Fanning was strong at full back, Darragh Carty made good use of the extra space in the second half, while Barry Bennett had a fine game and his delivery of ball into the forward line was always intelligent.

James Dooley and Patrick Duffy did well at midfield while in attack Keith O'Rourke, Edward Carty and Joe Furey all looked dangerous while subs Liam Mulhare and Kieran Coughlan also made contributions. In all Offaly scored 5-21 from play with all six forwards, both midfielders and two subs getting on the scoresheet from play.

Carlow worked hard but they were outclassed overall. Ben Kelly, Pdoge Finn, Darragh Coleman, Liam Murphy and Daniel O'Neill all put in a good effort.

Offaly couldn't have asked for a better start. With just a minute on the clock, James Collins' delivery was caught by Joe Furey who ran on and fired the ball to the roof of the net. James Kirwan quickly added a point from 50m before Carlow got off the mark with a Fiach Donnelly point. James Dooley replied quickly for Offaly before Daniel O'Neill pointed his first free for Carlow.

James Collins and Daniel O'Neill swopped points from frees before Keith O'Rourke and Edward Carty pointed for Offaly to leave them 1-5 to 0-3 in front after 10 minutes. Points from Liam Murphy and a great strike from Daniel O'Neill on the right sideline got the gap down to a goal but Offaly then began to push away.

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Jack Collins pointed a free and followed with one from play before Patrick Duffy and Collins again pushed the lead out to seven points. Then after 21 minutes came a pivotal moment when Carlow lost their goalkeeper Jack Ivers. He came out with the ball but as he tried to clear he was half hooked and the ball went up in the air and was caught by James Kirwan who went to move goalwards but was challenged rashly by Ivers and brought to the ground. The referee brandished a red card and Jack Collins pointed the resulting free.

Sub goalie Lorcan Cleary was called into action early to save from Keith O'Rourke and Daniel O'Neill (free) and Eoghan Treacy picked off Carlow points. But Offaly finishhed the half strongly with four unanswered points from Keith O'Rourke, Patrick Duffy, O'Rourke again after a great catch, and Edward Carty, and Offaly went in leading at half time by 1-14 to 0-7.

Offaly made a quick start to the second half as well with a James Kirwan point after 15 seconds and their second goal less than a minute later. Edward Carty got on the end of a move begun in defence by his brother Darragh and although under pressure shot off the stick to the far corner of the net. Carlow replied with a pointed free from Daniel O'Neill but that was their only score in the second half.

Edward Carty pointed again and Joe Furey popped over two more, Keith O'Rourke notched his fourth while Edward Carty added to his tally before the third goal in the 16^th minute when Sean Devery broke through and finished well to the net.

At this stage Offaly had thrown on five subs and one of them made an immediate impact when Liam Mulhare helped himself to 1-2 in a three minute spell, the goal coming after he did a lovely flick back to keep the ball in play before finishing to the net. Jack Collins pointed two frees before Mulhare hit another point and another sub Kieran Coughlan finished the scoring with a point followed by the fifth goal and Offaly had a 33 point winning margin at the final whistle.

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MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Adam Martin (Tullamore); Darragh Carty (Birr), Peter Fanning (Gracefield), Philip Larkin (Coolderry); Barry Bennett (Birr), Fiachra Carroll (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Darragh Stewart (Tullamore); James Dooley (Drumcullen), Patrick Duffy (Tullamore); James Kirwan (Belmont), Sean Devery (St Rynagh's), Jack Collins (Seir Kieran); Edward Carty (Birr), Keith O'Rourke (Shamrocks), Joe Furey (Edenderry). Subs. Mossy Dooley (Kinnitty) (for Darragh Stewart, 41 mins), Lorcan Owens (Birr) (for Fiachra Carroll, 41 mins), Harry O'Sullivan (Carrig & Riverstown) (for Patrick Duffy, 41 mins), Liam Mulhare (for Keith O'Rourke, 47 mins), Kieran Coughlan (Drumcullen) (for James Dooley, 47 mins)

CARLOW: Jack Ivers; James Dalton, Ben Kelly, Kealan O'Carroll; Podge Finn, Darragh Coleman, Darragh Ryan; Alex Doyle, Eoghan Treacy; Dylan Moran, Liam Murphy, Daniel O'Neill; Fiach Donnelly, Adam Joyce, James Flood. Subs. Lorcan Cleary (for James Flood, 22 mins), Daithi Roche (for Kealan O'Carroll, half time), Kian Minchin (for Darragh Ryan, 41 mins), Charlie Salter (for Alex Doyle, 49 mins), James Flood (for Fiach Donnelly, 50 mins).

REFEREE: Jimmy Heavey (Wexford)

MAN OF THE MATCH

All the contenders were on the Offaly side and Barry Bennett, Edward Carty and Joe Furey all came into contention but I've gone with full forward Keith O'Rourke. The Shamrocks clubman scored four points from play but I liked the way he always showed for the ball, moving to the corners and the wing to win possession and he brought other players into the game from there.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The sending off off of the Carlow goalkeeper was a big moment but in truth Offaly were taking control of the game at that stage having gone seven points ahead and it was all one way traffic in the second half.

REFEREE WATCH

It was a big call by Jimmy Heavey to show a red card to Carlow goalkeeper Jack Ivers after 21 minutes. Most people probably expected a yellow for his challenge on James Kirwan but technically the referee was probably correct as the challenge was rash and a little high. The referee pulled both sides for overcarrying on occasion and penalised a number of handpasses as throws and overall got all the other decisions correct.

WHAT’S NEXT

Offaly progress to round three of the championship on Saturday April 4^th while Carlow will be back in action next Saturday in the losers group.

VENUE WATCH

It was a busy day at Netwatch Cullen Park as earlier in the aftternoon the county's senior footballers had hosted Leitrim where they recorded a good win to seal promotion from Division 4. The ground had cleared before the minor hurlers arrived and there was a small attendance present. The pitch was in good order for games and the arrangements were in order for the day.

STATISTICS

Wides; Offaly 12 (6 in first half) Carlow 8 (3 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Offaly 0 Carlow 1 (James Dalton)

Red Cards:Offaly 0 Carlow 1 (Jack Ivers)

THE SCORERS

Offaly; Edward Carty (1-4), Jack Collins (0-7, 0-5 frees), Liam Mulhare (1-3), Joe Furey (1-2), Keith O'Rourke (0-4), Kieran Coughlan (1-1), Sean Devery (1-0), James Kirwan, Patrick Duffy (0-2 each), James Dooley (0-1).

Carlow; Daniel O'Neill (0-5, 0-4 frees), Fiach Donnelly, Liam Murphy, Eoghan Treacy (0-1 each).

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