Offaly U20 match report: Heroic Offaly leave Tipp reeling and to reach promised land

AMID scenes of wild excitement, the rawest, most profound of emotion, a heroic new generation of Offaly hurler fulfilled their wildest dreams as they steam rolled Tipperary in a thrilling, drama packed All-Ireland U-20 Hurling Championship final at a thronged, seething Nowlan Park on Saturday evening.

All-Ireland U20 Hurling Championship final

Offaly 2-20

Tipperary 2-14

Succeeding where many of the greats of the past failed by winning this grade for the first time, Offaly banished the trauma of a devastating last gasp defeat by the same opponents in the All-Ireland minor final just two years ago.

With both teams packed with many of those players, Offaly knew they had a great chance on this occasion and that their victory prospects were more realistic than a year ago when they came up against a very strong Cork in Thurles.

A sickening injury time goal snatched a deserved victory from Offaly's grasp two years ago and with Tipp playing into the same end again in the second half, those of a superstitious nature were on tender hooks the whole way, even when they had enough of a lead to make a mere goal immaterial late on.

On this occasion, Offaly did almost everything by the book and the final score line of 2-20 to 2-14 was a very accurate reflection of the way they played and their superiority on the day.

They were so professional in the way they went about their business, so full of character and skill. They have brought a glow of pride to every Offaly person as they have pulled Offaly hurling out of a long couple of decades in the doldrums and this win was the icing on the cake.

We knew that Offaly possessed tremendous work rate and that they would die for the cause but these ingredients alone could not have won. They weren't enough against Cork last year and Tipperary two years ago, when they were so unlucky.

We knew they had great skill and pace throughout the field and on this occasion all the ingredients fell into place in a potent, intoxicating mix that Tipp just could not live with. They were accompanied by a great head and aptitude for hurling, the ability to do the right thing at the right time – and even when things went wrong, as they inevitably would in a game of this intensity and such stakes, they continued to do things by the text book.

It all made for absolutely absorbing viewing and the second half was thrilling as the winning post loomed into sight. It was not quite as nerve wracking as we anticipated and that is the biggest tribute that can be paid to this Offaly team and performance – their cushion was sufficiently big, their dominance so complete and their superiority so pronounced that they had enough in the bag for the three minutes of injury time and Tipp needed two goals, not one to rescue it.

Ahead by 0-12 to 1-5 at half time after a sensational second quarter, Offaly always looked like they would get there in the second half, though Tipp fought with everything and kept going right to the end.

They got the first two points to bring the gap back to just two points before Adam Screeney settled Offaly with a '65' that they were crying out for – Screeney had missed an earlier free and also missed one near the end that he would normally sail over but his accuracy from frees and work rate caused Tipp no end of hardship.

Offaly turned the screw on Tipp after that as Cathal King got a point, Screeney converted a free and Dan Bourke floated over an absolute beauty. Oisin O'Donoghue replied for the losers but Offaly's first goal arrived in the 44^th minute as Barry Egan flicked a Shane Rigney shot for point to the net. Suddenly the gap was 1-16 to 1-8 but Offaly didn't have a second to enjoy the moment. Straight from the puckout, Tipp swept into attack and Senan Butler's goal brought them right back into it.

Darragh McCarthy added a free but even at that Offaly still had a four point lead and breathing space.

It was slightly more than breathing space when Dan Bourke raced through for a sensational 46^th minute goal, tearing into space and driving a low shot to the net to give Offaly a 2-16 to 2-9 lead. Now Tipp were truly on life support with the clock ticking. They showed great character to get back into it. They got two points in a row and then after Screeney slotted over another '65', they got three in a row to bring the gap down to three, 2-17 to 2-14 with three minutes left.

McCarthy's free, however, proved to be Tipp's last score as Offaly roasted them alive late on. Screeney got a free, Colin Spain got a super point from play and as the game ebbed towards the end of three minutes of injury time, a five point lead meant that a miss from a Screeney free and Bourke from play were only mild annoyances. Corner back Ruari Kelly got forward for the final point just over the 63^rd minute and moments later, the final whistle started the type of celebrations that Offaly people thought they would never experience again.

It has been an incredible few years for Offaly, their fourth All-Ireland final in successive years and 2^nd win with this joining the 2021 U-20 football one. It has been a sensational turnaround by a county that was beginning to accept that the glory days were well and truly over but can once again dream big – one underage hurling team won't work the oracle at senior level, no matter how talented, but that is a discussion for another day and at the moment, this group of young players can bask in the glory of what they have done.

A few of them, Donal Shirley, Cathal King, Dan Bourke, Adam Screeney and Colin Spain will have to quickly abort the celebrations and focus on next Saturday's Joe McDonagh Cup final against Laois – and in its own way, winning that and returning to senior top flight is every bit as important as this one.

It was a fantastic collective team performance by Offaly, with every player doing his bit. Some had fantastic, crucial moments and with any win, Offaly needed a few reaching their absolute peak. James Mahon, Ben Miller, Ter Guinan, Brecon Kavanagh, Dan Bourke and Adam Screeney were among the players whose names can be written in gold but it took a complete effort to win here and Offaly were heroic everywhere.

Other players can step forward for a bow. Colin Spain and Cathal King were asked serious questions at midfield, forced to dig deeper than ever but time and time again, they came out with the hard won ball, got in the crucial hooks and flicks that count so much in these games. A special mention also to full forward Barry Egan – it looked like his evening could be a short one early on but he was a prime example of keeping going, keeping doing the right thing. He got two lovely first half points, ones that weren't simple and his goal had a huge influence on the result as he stayed in exactly where a full forward should be.

A 0-12 to 1-5 half time lead meant that Offaly's huge travelling support could dream of glory at the break.

A tremendous second quarter had seen them grab the initiative after a spell when it looked like Tipperary might edge clear.

Playing with the wind in the first half, Offaly hit the ground running and two Adam Screeney points, the first from a free and the second a super strike from out on the right wing saw them lead by two after four minutes.

A penalty goal from Darragh McCarthy in the sixth minute, awarded for a foul on huim by Donal Shirley, got Tipp going – Liam Hoare had saved penalties against Kilkenny and Dublin but there was no stopping McCarthy's clinical strike.

Tipp were the better side for the next few minutes and it looked onimous for Offaly as they got the next three points. Two of them came from the excellent Ciaran Foley, who got three first half points as Tipp deservedly led by 1-3 to 0-3 after fourteen minutes.

Offaly hit a great run of form in the second quarter as they outscored Tipp by nine points to two for that half time lead. Their work rate forced turnovers and won frees against the head – with Adam Screeney unerringly accurate, scoring eight first half points, seven from placed balls, Offaly punished every indiscretion.

He almost got a goal in the 24^th minute when a breath takingly brilliant passing movement out of sight ended with him having sight of the net and only one thing on his mind. Screeney may have been a bit far out when shooting and Eoin Horgan was able to make the save but at least he got the point from the resultant '65'.

Barry Egan got two crucial points in this tremendous spell of pressure. Egan had struggled at the start but he kept going and his two points were very opportunistic. Offaly were 0-12 to 1-4 up in injury time and Senan Butler's point left that four point gap in it at the break.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Dan Bourke (Offaly): For the second game in a row, Dan Bourke played a captain's role, leading by example and he stood up to be counted at all stages. He scored 1-3, ran at pace, won dirty ball, fought like a tiger. When Tipp were snapping at their heels, his goal put them back into the box and showed terrific ability and nerve to slot it home. A super year and super performance by the Durrow man.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Adam Screeney 0-12 (8f and 3 '65s'), Dan Bourke 1-3, Barry Egan 1-2, Ruari Kelly, Colin Spain and Cathal King 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Darragh McCarthy 1-5 (3f and 1 '65'), Senan Butler 1-1, Ciaran Foley 0-3, Oisin O'Donoghue 0-2, Sam O'Farrell, Cathal English, Conor Martin 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Liam Hoare (Carrig-Riverstown); Ruari Kelly (Lusmagh), Ben Miller (Birr), James Mahon (Kilcormac-Killoughey); Donal Shirley (Tubber), Brecon Kavanagh (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Ter Guinan (Kilcormac-Killoughey); Colin Spain (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Cathal King (Carrig-Riverstown); Shane Rigney (St Rynagh's), Dan Bourke (Durrow), Conor Doyle (Clara); Leigh; Kavanagh (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Barry Egan (Clara), Adam Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey). Subs –Alex Kavanagh (Kilcormac-Killoughey) for Egan (49m), Eoin Burke (Coolderry) for Doyle (53m), Dan Ravenhill (Durrow) for Leigh Kavanah (62m), Daniel Hand (Kilcormac-Killoughey)for Rigney

TIPPERARY: Eoin Horgan; Chris O'Donnell,Aaron O'Halloran, Podge O'Dwyer; Mason Cawley, Ben Currivan, Jack Collins; Sam O'Farrell, Adam Daly; Cathal English, Conor Martin, Ciaran Foley; Darragh McCarthy, Oisin O'Donoghue, Senan Butler. Subs – Jack O'Callaghan for Cawley (48m), Joe Egan for Foley (49m), Sam Rowan for Daly (59m),

Referee – Sean Stack (Dublin).

REFEREE WATCH

A bit of a mixed bag by Sean Stack. He did most things well and there was certainly no big flash point but there were a few dubious frees that went against Offaly – though there were a couple of times when Tipp were entitled to frees and didn't get them.

He allowed too long for the advantage for Tipp's first free in the 9^th minute – Senan Butler was fouled but was given a nice few seconds as he tried to get in on goal and the free was given when he dropped the ball short.

You will always have debatable decisions in a game of this intensity and he was fair overall.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Dan Bourke's 46^th minute goal was worthy of winning any game and gave Offaly a decisive 2-16 to 2-9 lead at a very important stage.

VENUE WATCH

With tickets selling out early after going on sale last Monday and damage to the pitch from the recent Bruce Springsteen concert, the Nowlan Park venue was much debated. As expected, the ticket mania was just that, a rush caused by initial panic. While there was a near full house here, there was any amount of tickets on sale on social media on Friday evening and Saturday morning – anyone who didn't go either decided against it or didn't truly want to go.

The pitch did have a couple of raw patches but that in no way impeded on the game and the dry weather ensured it was in good shape.

The ground was perfect for the match, and with spectators in close to the pitch, there was a real magical atmosphere. The traffic management was excellent with plenty of advice dished out to supporters about the best ways to go ahead of the game. As usual, the Kilkenny County Board hosted the fixture with great efficiency.

WHAT'S NEXT

That concludes the year for both sides.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly – 9 (4 in first half); Tipperary - 13 (3 in first half).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 1 (Cathal King); Tipperary – 1 (Darragh McCarthy).

Red cards: 0.