Offaly show great character to advance in high scoring extra time thriller
Forwards were on fire in entertaining shootout
OFFALY minor footballers showed heart warming character and desire to extend their season with an extra time victory over Armagh in the second tier Paul McGirr Cup in Tullamore on Saturday afternoon.
Paul McGirr Minor Football Cup preliminary quarter-final
Offaly 4-22
Armagh 3-19
It was a thrilling game of football, full of swings and round abouts with both sides looking like winning at different stages before Offaly sort of fell across the line, scoring a decisive 1-4 against the wind in the second period of extra time to advance to the quarter-final – they are away to Monaghan next Saturday.
The minor hurlers reached their second tier Leinster final, losing to Antrim and the minor footballers also showed that they had the right appetite for additional action, despite their championship aspirations being over.
Credit to both teams for serving up an excellent, high scoring game of football. It was certainly a day for forwards with both defences too loose and allowing their opponents too much space. Armagh's three goals were all good finishes but came from less than stellar man marking and it all contributed to a very open, attack minded game.
Playing with the wind in the first half, Offaly started very well and Evan Daly's fifth minute goal helped them to a 1-4 to 0-1 lead after eight minutes. Evan McElvanna brought Armagh back into it with a 13th minute goal and the outstanding Aodhan Carson gave them the lead with their second goal in the 18th minute, 2-4 to 1-5.
Armagh led by 2-5 to 1-6 after 23 minutes and Offaly looked in trouble but they put in a blistering finish to the half. They attacked relentlessly and brilliantly as they scored 2-4 without reply to grab a 3-10 to 2-5 interval lead. Joe Furey got their second goal in the 24th minute, showing a real poacher's instinct to make the space and fire home from close range. Paddy Burns got the second in injury time after a Jamie Harvey ball and Offaly were in a strong position at half time.
Armagh turned the screw in the third quarter and two pointers from Cayden Feeney (free) and Cahir Valley had the gap back to 2-12 to 3-11 after 41 minutes. It was all Armagh but Offaly steadied the ship and three frees from Paddy Burns put them back in the driving seat, 3-14 to 2-12.
Offaly were 3-15 to 2-13 ahead when Armagh got a life line in the 51st minute with a goal from Fiachra Maxwell. Evan McElvanna added a point before sub Sean Monahan put Offaly two in front. Armagh levelled up with points from Carson and Cayden Feeney ('45'), after Ryan Casey made a great save from Fiachra Maxwell.
Carson edged Armagh ahead in the 60th minute and they were unlucky when Conor Barry's shot hit the post. Sean Monahan levelled it up again three minutes into injury time and Offaly almost forced a winner when Donnacha Seery almost scrambled the ball into the net as it finished 3-17 each..
Armagh were against the wind in the first period of extra time and took the initiative with quick points from Carson and Oran Leneghan (free). Another Edenderry sub Oisin Pender got a crucial point to make it 3-19 to 3-18 at half time.
With the wind to come, Armagh had a great chance but it was all Offaly in the second period of extra time. With players coming good all over the field, Offaly never allowed Armagh get their hands on the ball. Jamie Harvey was one of those players who fired on all cylinders in extra time and he equalised with a quick point that could have been a goal.
Evan Daly put Offaly ahead and Dara Waldron put them two clear after 73 minutes. Armagh still had two point threat on the field but Offaly defended stoutly to repel their increasingly rare attacks. They clinched the game with a fortunate Joe Furey goal a minute from time – the Edenderry man tapped home when his presence helped Charlie McGuinness drop a mishit Robbie Minnock shot.
With a five point lead, Offaly were not going to be caught and the game had a messy end when Armagh instigated a melee over near the terrace sideline but paid the price with the holy trinity of a red, black and yellow card. The ball was brought in for a 14 metre free that Oisin Pender tapped over and the final whistle went.
MATCH ANALYSIS
MAN OF THE MATCH
Joe Furey (Offaly): Joe Furey had a super game in the Offaly attack. The Edenderry man scored 2-2 but there was so much more to admire in his display. Furey had opted to concentrate on minor hurling earlier in the year, only coming into the football panel when their championship aspirations were ended in the group. He is an exceptional hurler but showed here he is at least as good at football. His composure and ability to do the right thing really caught the eye here and he had a handful of scoring assists, among them Evan Daly's opening goal.
Offaly gave a full blooded, whole hearted display with Oran Kenny coming out with good ball from full back while Jamie Harvey went very well out on the half back line, improving as the game went on. John Carroll and Patrick Duffy worked hard at midfield, against a tough Armagh pairing.
In the attack Furey was very much the main man while Darragh Stewart put in a great hard working shift at centre forward. He handled a serious amount of ball, though he was guilty of carrying it into traffic and not releasing better placed colleagues on occasion – his ability to get on the ball and win hard won possession was instrumental in Offaly getting on top in extra time.
Paddy Burns' ball striking was very good and he was a loss when he he went off injured early in extra time: Sean O'Shea was off target with a couple of frees that Burns might have converted - the second one was a difficult two point attempt into the wind, though he did have the distance for it. Evan Daly scored 1-2, Dara Waldron had very good spells and the Edenderry trio of Donnacha Seery, Sean Monahan and Oisin Pender all made valuable contributions off the bench.
THE SCORERS
Offaly: Paddy Burns 1-7 (1 x 2pf, 3f), Joe Furey 2-2, Evan Daly 1-2, Dara Waldon, Oisin Pender (1f) and Sean Monahan 0-2 each, Cathal Carroll, Jamie Harvey, Patrick Duffy, Oliver Goulding ('45') and Donnacha Seery 0-1 each.
Armagh: Aodhan Carson 1-5, Evan McElvanna 1-3 (1f), Fiachra Maxwell 1-2, Cahir Valey (1 x 2p), Oran Leneghan (2f) and Cayden Feeney (1 x 2pf and 1 '45') 0-3 each.
THE TEAMS
OFFALY: Ryan Casey (Tullamore); Cormac Staunton (Clodiagh Gaels), Oran Kenny (Ferbane), Stephen Murrihy (Tullamore); James Slevin (St Rynagh's), Cathal Carroll (Erin Rovers), Jamie Harvey (Tullamore); John Carroll (Clara), Patrick Duffy (Tullamore); Evan Daly (Ballycumber), Darragh Stewart (Tullamore), Dara Weldon (Ferbane); Oliver Goulding (Edenderry), Paddy Burns (Daingean), Joe Furey (Edenderry). Subs – Sean Monahan (Edenderry) for Goulding (43m), Donnacha Seery (Edenderry) for Staunton (43m), Oisin Pender (Edenderry) for Slevin (54m), Sean O'Shea (Shannonbridge) for Burns (62m), Robbie Minnock (Daingean) for Waldron (87m), Hugh Kelly (Kilclonfert) for Kenny (87m).
ARMAGH: Charlie McGuinness; Patrick Crilly, Sean Callaghan, Oisin McGrattan; Daniel Agnew, Cormac McEntee, Oisin McCrink; Tadgh Feeney, Cahir Vallely; Fiachra Maxwell, Jack Gorman, Conor Barry; Evan McElvanna, Oran Leneghan, Aodhan Carson. Subs – Cayden Feeney for McEntee (HT), Brendan Ferreira for Agnew (36m), Emmet Doran for McGrattan (41m).
Referee – Ian Monaghan, Roscommon.
REFEREE WATCH
Ian Monaghan's refereeing contributed to an enjoyable game. He let things run and allowed play develop. Offaly certainly got their share of frees in the second half in particular and could not complain at the referee.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Joe Furey's goal in the 79th minute put Offaly 4-21 to 3-19 ahead and Armagh's bolt was shot.
VENUE WATCH
It was a busy day in O'Connor Park for officials and this was the first of three games. Admission was free and the ground was in sparkling condition.
WHAT'S NEXT
Offaly go into the quarter-finals away to Monaghan next weekend.
STATISTICS
Wides: Offaly - (4 in first half, 2 in second half, 1 in 1st period extra time, 2 in 2nd period); Armagh - (3 in first half, 2 in second half, 0 in extra time).
Yellow cards: Offaly – 3 (Ryan Casey, Oran Kenny, Darragh Stewart); Armagh – 2 (Sean Callanan, Tadgh Feeney).
Black cards: Offaly – 0; Armagh – 1 (Fiachra Maxwell).
Red cards: Offaly – 0; Armagh – 1 (Cayden Feeney).