Faithful hurlers dethroned as Dublin claim merited Leinster win
Dublin 4-12
Offaly 0-17
Offaly relinquished their Leinster and All-Ireland U20 titles when they were defeated by Dublin in the provincial quarter final on Monday night.
Played in St Conleth's Park Newbridge, the Faithful County failed to reach the heights of their 2024 run to silverware success, the Metropolitans gaining revenge for last year's Leinster final defeat to Offaly in the process.
Despite an eight point contribution from Adam Screeney, complemented by four points from Dan Ravenhill, a failure to raise a green flag over the duration ultimately proved detrimental to Offaly's cause.
Despite being in the ascendancy by three points at half-time (0-9 - 1-3), Offaly failed to attain playing rhythm in the second period and a three goal burst from the victors proved decisive to the game's final outcome.
Thoughts now immediately turn to Leinster senior hurling championship round robin action when the Faithful County travel to Kilkenny to play the reigning provincial champions in their third round robin fixture where they will be hoping to secure their first provincial win of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Laois scored a notable six point victory over Wexford to claim a provincial semi-final berth where they will play Kilkenny on May 14.
Scorers – Dublin: O Gaffney 2-2; C Graham 2-0; D O’Kelly 0-3 (1f); B Kenny, S Crosbie 0-2 each; C Kennedy, C Ó Riain, J Norris 0-1 apiece. Offaly: A Screeney 0-8 (7f, 1 ’65); D Ravenhill 0-4 (1f); S Rigney 0-3; L Kavanagh, D Shirley 0-1 apiece.
Dublin: D Joyce; C Groarke, D Lucey, B Lynch; J Sheppard, C Ó Riain, K Costello; F Murphy, C Kennedy; S Crosbie, B Kenny, D O’Kelly; C Graham, D Kilduff, O Gaffney. Subs: J Norris for Kilduff (47), J Kinnane for Kennedy (60), S Bolger for Graham (63),
Offaly: L Hoare; A Cleary, A Hogan, J Mahon; J O’Sullivan, B Kavanagh, D Shirley; L Kavanagh, N Furlong; S Rigney, D Ravenhill, C Doyle; P Lyons, C Egan, A Screeney. Subs: C Robinson for Lyons (39), H Sweeney for Cleary (47), E Bailey-O’Brien for Egan (53),
Referee: Padraig Dunne (Laois).