Win for Offaly footballers in Kells

Emmet McDonnell got his term as Offaly boss off to a winning start yesterday in the Gaeil Colmcille-promoted Fitzsimons Cup at Grangegodden, Kells. Offaly proved too strong for Louth in the first semi-final and won convincingly by 4-12 to 1-15. Newly-appointed Louth manager Aidan O'Rourke used the game to have a look at some new players and will be back in Kells next week for the Shield final against either Meth or Cavan. The sides were level, Offaly 1-7 to Louth 0-10 at the interval, but Offaly dominated the second-half for a merited victory. Offaly will play the winner of today's Meath v Cavan semi-final next Sunday at the Kells venue in the decider.. Offaly - A Mulhall; S Pender, P McConway, M Varney; D Bradley, D Kelly, R Allen; R Dalton (0-1), B Connell (1-0); W Mulhall, A Sullivan (0-4), E Carroll (1-0); B Allen (0-1), N McNamee (2-6), N Dunne.