Offaly suffer heavy defeat in league opener against Galway

OFFALY got a measure of the task facing them in this year's Allianz Hurling League when going under by a double scores margin to Galway in their opening game at Pearse Stadium in Salthill on Sunday.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

GALWAY 4-22
OFFALY 0-17

Offaly played with great spirit and conviction throughout but up against a side who will be in the running for top honours this year, they got a glimpse of the levels to which they have to attain to compete at that level again.

This is a big step up for Offaly but an admirable feature of the game was the way they stuck to their task to the finish, sticking to the game plan and trying to play their own game.

Offaly had the advantage of the wind in the first half and competed well for most of that half but a goal on the stroke of half time gave Galway a 1-12 to 0-8 interval lead.

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Offaly knew they would be up against it playing into the elements after the break and an early second half goal for Galway pushed them further ahead. Offaly kept battling but Galway were able to keep picking off their scores and added two more goals to give themm a comfortable 17 point victory at full time.

The conditions were difficult with a strong wind and heavy pitch but Offaly did try to play hurling at all times. At times they were let down by their first touch and some fumbling and sometimes a pass went to a man under pressure and the ball was turned over, but that didn't deter them and they kept playing the way management wants to play and they were rewarded with some very good scores.

While Galway weren't at full strength, they still had a very experienced line up. With players like Gearoid McInerney and Padraic Mannion manning the half back line, in front of Daithi Burke at full back, they made it very difficult for the Offaly forwards.

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In attack Conor Whelan was always very lively and as well as picking off scores himself, he set up many others with his unselfish play. Ciaran Burke worked hard throughout and can't be faulted for his effort, but on the whole the Galway attack was that bit slicker and they were able to create openings easier than their Offaly counterparts.

Along with Burke, Ben Conneely and Killian Sampson worked hard in the Offaly rearguard, Leon Fox put in a good stint around the middle of the field and Eoghan Cahill hit the bulk of the scores in attack, where Jason Sampson and John Murphy also worked hard.

As mentioned Galway had strength in their defence, Ronan Glennon did well in the middle of the field and along with Whelan, Tom Monaghan had a very good first half, Evan Niland was accurate from placed balls and sub John Fleming also made an impact.

Conor Whelan put Galway in front after three minutes but Eoghan Cahill levelled from a free. Two Tom Monaghan points plus another from Brian Concannon had Galway three up after nine minutes but Offaly replied well and John Murphy, Eoghan Cahill (free) and a long range effort from Jack Screeney had them level again by the 13th minute. Tom Monaghan added his third but another long range effort from Killian Sampson had the sides level for a third time.

Jack Hastings and Conor Whelan edged Galway back in front with Adrian Cleary replying with a good point for Offaly. Galway then won a penalty when Conor Whelan was fouled but Evan Niland drove his effort wide. The same player did hit four in a row for Galway (three frees and a '65') with Eoghan Cahill replying with two Offaly frees to leave three in it after 32 minutes.

Conor Whelan added another point and then hit a shot into the sidenetting before Offaly were hit with a sickening blow when Gearoid McInerney ran from his own half, evaded an Offaly challenge and batted the ball to the Offaly net for a goal to leave his side leading by 1-12 to 0-8 at half time.

Eoghan Cahill had the first score of the second half from a free but Galway got their second goal after four minutes. Conor Whelan battled his way in along the endline but his effort was saved by Conor Clancy and in the ensuing scramble John Fleming forced the ball over the line from inches out, Evan Niland (free), Ronan Glennon and John Fleming added further points to stretch the lead out to 12 points.

Eoghan Cahill notched a good point from play and after Evan Niland pointed a free, Eoghan Cahill replied with two Offaly frees. Galway then struck for their third goal when Offaly lost possession in defence and Evan Niland netted and Gearoid McInerney and Cianan Fahy followed up with points. Two Eoghan Cahill points (one free) sandwiched a Donal O'Shea '65' as both sides made substitutions.

Ronan Glennon, Eanna Burke and John Fleming tacked on more Galway points before Donal O'Shea ran through for the fourth goal. Offaly hit the last three scores, a point from Jason Sampson and two frees from Liam Langton to leave 17 in it at the finish.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

GALWAY: Eanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Daithi Burke, Declan Cronin; Gearoid McInerney, Padraic Mannion, Tiernan Killeen; Joseph Cooney, Ronan Glennon; Tom Monaghan, Jack Hastings, Cianan Fahy; Evan Niland, Conor Whelan, Brian Concannon. Subs. John Fleming (for Brian Concannon, 19 mins), Eanna Burke (for Cianan Fahy, 50 mins), Donal O'Shea (for Evan Niland, 50 mins), Conor Walsh (for Tom Monaghan, 53 mins), Shane Ryan (for Jack Hastings, 63 mins).

OFFALY: Conor Clancy; David King, Ciaran Burke, Jack Screeney; Joey Keenaghan, Ben Conneely, Killian Sampson; Ross Ravenhill, Leon Fox; Adrian Cleary, Eoghan Cahill, Eimhin Kelly; John Murphy, Jason Sampson, Luke O'Connor. Subs. Conor Molloy (for David King, half time), Liam Langton (for Adrian Cleary, half time), Brian Duignan (for Leon Fox, 54 mins), David Nally (for Ross Ravenhill, 54 mins), Dara Maher (for Conor Molloy, 55 mins), Eoghan Parlon (for Eoghan Cahill, 68 mins).

REFEREE: Rory McGann (Clare).

MAN OF THE MATCH

Galway had a number of contenders but over the 70 minutes Conor Whelan stood out. He was lively from the very first minute and proved to be very effective target man. He picked off scores himself as well as setting them up for team mates and while he missed a couple of chances, he was always a thorn in Offaly's side.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Offaly had battled well throughout the first half and approaching half time were only four down, despite having had the wind, when Galway wing back Gearoid McInerney picked up a pass in his own half. Space opened up in front of him and he just kept going, evading an Offaly challenge as he approached the 20m line and coolly finished to the net. It gave Galway a seven point cushion at half time and left Offaly with an even bigger mountain to climb in the second half.

REFEREE WATCH

Referee Rory McGann wasn't really a feature in the game. He was a little bit fussy at times, holding up play for innocuous reasons, and he could have been harder on overcarrying, but overall he did a decent job.

TALKING POINT

Offaly have now stepped up to a higher level after a few years out of Division 1 and they can now see the type of challenge that will be facing them in the year ahead. However, their work ethic and application was excellent throughout and if they stick with their plan, they can make progress in the year ahead.

WHAT’S NEXT

Offaly have a home game against Cork next weekend while Galway travel to Limerick to take on the All-Ireland champions.

VENUE WATCH

On a day when the wind was blowing strongly in off the Atlantic, Pearse Stadium was in reasonably good condition, particularly after a heavy night's rain, although it was heavy in places and cut up a bit.

STATISTICS

Wides; Galway 14 (8 in first half) Offaly 10 (4 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Galway 1 (Padraic Mannion) Offaly 2 (Joey Keenaghan, Ross Ravenhill)

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Galway; Evan Niland (1-6, 0-5 frees, 0-1 '65'), John Fleming (1-2), Gearoid McInerney and Donal O'Shea (0-1 '65') (1-1 each), Conor Whelan and Tom Monaghan (0-3 each), Ronan Glennon (0-2), Brian Concannon, Jack Hastings, Cianan Fahy and Eanna Burke (0-1 each).

Offaly; Eoghan Cahill (0-10, 0-8 frees), Liam Langton (0-2, both frees), John Murphy, Jack Screeney, Killian Sampson, Adrian Cleary and Jason Sampson (0-1 each).