Offaly triumph on the double to revive Leinster ambitions

It was a very positive week for the Offaly under-20 and minor football teams with both sides recording victories in their Leinster championship games.

The Offaly U-20s had a particularly notable win, defeating Leinster and All-Ireland champions Kildare by 0-8 to 1-4 at Faithful Fields on Tuesday night.

In a low scoring but nonetheless absorbing game, Offaly led 0-6 to 0-2 at half-time. The fact that Offaly held the Lilywhites to a mere two points in the opening half was testament to their defensive excellence on the night.

Although a goal from Ross Harris raised Kildare hopes, Offaly held on for a fully deserved victory.

Having lost to Louth in their opening game the previous week, Offaly showed considerable determination and resolve to eke out the victory over Kildare.

Clara’s Marcas Dalton notched the winning point with a fisted effort in the 58th minute, before being sent off on a second yellow card.

Dalton scored a total of 0-3, with Offaly’s other points coming from goalkeeper Conor Melia (‘45’), Diarmaid O’Neill, Niall Furlong, Christian McKeon and Ross Kellaghan.

The win means Offaly now have a great chance of reaching the quarter-finals as they prepare to travel to Longford next Tuesday night (Clonguish, 7.30pm).

Louth, who have two wins under their belts, will take on Kildare in next week’s other Group 1 game. There is a possibility of three teams finishing level on four points which would see scoring difference come into play.

The team who tops Group 1 will advance straight to the semi-finals, with the second placed team qualifying for one of two quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, the Offaly minors responded to their opening round loss to Longford by overcoming neighbours Laois by 2-8 to 0-10 in Portlaoise on Wednesday night.

Goals in either half from Cian McNamee (Rhode) and Dylan Dunne (Clara) proved crucial to the outcome, with Offaly having held a slender interval advantage of 1-3 to 0-5. Dunne’s second-half goal helped the visitors to secure a four-point win.

Offaly’s next game in the Leinster MFC is away to Dublin on Saturday, April 13 (Parnell Park, 12.30pm).

Offaly v Kildare: teams & scorers

Scorers - Offaly: M Dalton 0-3; D O’Neill, N Furlong, C McKeon, C Melia (‘45’) and R Kellaghan (free) 0-1 each. Kildare: R Harris 1-0; F Cooke 0-2; C Dalton and R Sinkey (free) 0-1 each.

Offaly: Conor Melia (Bracknagh); Diarmaid O’Neill (Clonbullogue), Christian McKeon (Clara), Dylan Kilmurray (Rhode); Dylan Byrne (Edenderry), Geordi O’Meara (Ballinagar), Luke Bourke (Tullamore); Cillian Bourke (Tullamore), Marcas Dalton (Clara); Ross Kellaghan (Rhode), Niall Furlong (Tullamore), Steven Doran (Ballinamere); Sean Afolabi Joseph (Tullamore), Robbie Gallagher (Ballinagar), Luke Kelly (Doon). Subs used: Ben Kennedy (St Brigid’s) for Gallagher (47 mins), Cillian Foran (Edenderry) for Kellaghan (52), Cameron Egan (St Brigid’s) for L Bourke (57), Cillian Lowry (Edenderry) for Kelly (60).

Kildare: David McPartlin; Rob Fitzgerald, Eoin Lawlor, Ethan Mountaine; Killian Browne, James Harris, Colm Dalton; Dara Crowley, Fionn Cooke; Oisin Grufferty, Niall Dolan, Sean Mahon; Ryan Sinkey, Ross Harris, Mark Gibbons. Subs used: Sam Savage for Browne (40 mins), Josh O’Donoghue for Cooke (43), TJ Nolan for Gibbons (50).

EirGrid Leinster U20 FC: second round results

Offaly 0-8 Kildare 1-4

Louth 3-14 Longford 2-12

Wicklow 3-11 Carlow 0-7

Laois 1-9 Wexford 0-9

Meath 0-18 Westmeath 2-5.

Electric Ireland Leinster MFC: second round results

Offaly 2-8 Laois 0-10

Longford 3-8 Dublin 1-9

Louth 1-10 Meath 0-11

Kildare 1-12 Westmeath 2-6

Wicklow 0-9 Wexford 0-8.