Late scores confirm Offaly's relegation to Division 3
Cavan 2-20 Offaly 3-15
Offaly's NFL Division 2 fate has been sealed following a harrowing two point loss to Cavan in Glenisk O'Connor Park Tullamore on Sunday afternoon.
Having failed to gain any points from their six league encounters, the Faithful County have been relegated to Division 3 for the 2027 season.
Their form replicates that of the county's senior hurlers who were also relegated following a winless run in Division 1A of the national hurling league.
Offaly will reflect on their first half performance which saw them lead at the interval by just two points despite playing with a strong wind.
However, it took a controversial late two pointer from Cavan's Ryan Donohoe to secure the win for Cavan and end Offaly's brief stay in Division 2.
Offaly began proceedings with a clear shoot-on-sight policy and registered an early wide but within a minute, the visitors were on the board when Oisin Brady combined with Paddy Lynch before taking the return pass and pointing off his left foot.
Offaly responded quickly with a 50-metre free from Dylan Hyland and the sides were level after Ciaran Brady finished off the left from a Dara McVeety lay-off to make it 0-2 apiece.
Cavan then struck the first major of the game in fortunate fashion. After excellent work from Eoin Clarke, sparked the move, Oisin Brady beat his man and shot for a point but the ball dropped into the top corner of the net to put Cavan 1-2 to 0-2 ahead.
Offaly replied with a goal of their own when Sean Conway’s shot dropped short and Aaron Leavy reacted quickest, getting a fist to the ball and directing it into the roof of the net to level matters.
The home side pushed ahead when Hyland curled over a two-pointer from just on the edge of the arc but Ryan Donohoe quickly responded with a fisted point to keep Cavan in touch. Hyland added a '45' and Darragh Flynn split the posts after good work from Hayes to stretch Offaly’s lead.
A fine score from Ciaran Murphy extended the gap before Cavan steadied themselves through Gearoid McKiernan, who turned sharply to slot over. Tiarnan Madden added another, while Oisin Brady burst through the centre to clip over and reduce the deficit.
Peter Corrigan did manage a point late in the half as Cavan trailed narrowly at the interval after battling well against the wind.
Despite playing into a strong second half wind, Offaly extended their lead when Diarmuid Egan blasted a superb finish to the net to push the hosts clear.
Offaly continued to control large spells, Hyland and Hayes adding further points. Playing against the elements seemed to suit Offaly, who held possession for long periods and were able to pick out short passes and unlock the Cavan defence.
With subs Tierney and Marcas Dalton going well, Offaly were five up with 17 minutes remaining before Cavan’s second goal again arrived in lucky fashion when Donohoe’s point attempt dropped under the crossbar and into the net.
The contest ebbed and flowed entering the closing stages. For a side who had been well beaten in their previous five matches, Offaly’s resilience was notable. Keith O’Neill produced two scores from the outside of the boot either side of a Lynch effort, with Donohoe treading over a two-pointer from a congested area to make it 2-12 to 2-10.
Tiarnan Madden followed with a two-pointer to bring the sides level before Ciaran Brady edged the Breffni men ahead.
The break Offaly needed arrived with three minutes remaining when Jack McEvoy struck for their third goal to leave the hosts two points in front and seemingly on course for what had looked an unlikely win.
Eoin Clarke surged forward to fist over for Cavan but Hayes replied for Offaly, but and the drama was far from over.
Midfielder Donohoe, in the final minute, delivered the decisive moment, landing a massive two-pointer from long range which was eventually waved over despite fierce protests from the Offaly players.
With the last kick of the game, substitute Shehu added a point from the left to seal a dramatic victory for the visitors, a win which left Offaly winless in Division 2 and confirmed relegation for the Faithful County.
Offaly: Conor Melia; Shane O’Toole-Greene, David Dempsey, Conor Dunican; Cormac Egan, Diarmuid Egan (1-0), Rory Egan; Jack McEvoy (1-0), Aaron Leavy (1-0); Daire McDaid, Jordan Hayes (0-2), Keith O’Neill (0-2); Dylan Hyland (0-7, 2ptf, 2pt, 45), Ciaran Murphy (0-1), Darragh Flynn (0-3, 2pt)
Subs: Shane Tierney for C Murphy, Marcus Dalton for R Egan (both half-time), Niall Furlong for C Dunican (46), Harry Plunkett for D Flynn (57)
Cavan: Liam Brady; Jason McLoughlin, Brían O’Connell, Cormac Brady; Ryan Tobin, Conor Brady, Ciaran Brady (Arva, 0-2); Ryan Donohoe (1-5, 2 2pt), Gerard Smith; Tiarnan Madden (0-3, 2pt), Peter Corrigan (0-1), Oisin Brady (1-3); Dara McVeety (0-2, 2pt), Paddy Lynch (0-1), Gearoid McKiernan (0-1)
Subs: Eoin Clarke for Brían O’Connell (temp, 8, revered 12), Emmanuel Shehu (0-1) for P Corrigan (48), Eoin Clarke (0-1) for R Tobin (49), Cian Shekleton for O Brady (55), Ciaran Brady (Corofin) for G Smith (61).