Offaly win first Leinster minor crown since 1989 as Ryan seals victory

Offaly 2-20 Louth 3-14

By Kevin Egan

On the same field that the much-loved crop of underage hurlers finally came to the end of their underage journey, a new group of Offaly heroes burst onto the scene and gave the county fresh cause for celebration in Newbridge last night (Monday).

Offaly are the Leinster minor football champions for the first time since 1989, as Roger Ryan's side produced incredible character and resolve to outscore Louth by 0-8 to 0-1 in the last ten minutes and secure a memorable 2-20 to 3-14 win.

All year long, finding a way to extract victory from tough situations has been this team’s calling card, and they displayed it in spades once again.

In many ways this game mirrored the semi-final win over Kildare, with Offaly making a fast start through Dylan Dunne’s goal, then falling behind after Louth completely took control of the kickout battle, led by imperious midfielder Tom Maguire.

Even allowing for referee James Foley giving Louth a few quite soft two-point frees – though he returned the favour in the second half – some of which were converted by Connell Kelly, the Wee County were full value for their 0-11 to 1-6 half-time lead. Indeed, they should have led by more after shooting seven first half wides.

Cian McNamee’s long run set up Tony Furey for an equalising goal early in the second half, but Louth hit back immediately with an exquisite lobbed goal from Oisín Reidy. Another route one long ball that was fielded and slammed to the net by Jack Martin, and Offaly were on the ropes.

Dunne and McNamee were the team’s leading creative influences and they led the charge as Offaly rallied to get back within a point (2-13 to 2-12).

But when Niall McCreesh was dragged to the ground and Cillian McQuillan rifled the penalty to the roof of the net, Louth looked like they would record another memorable win, having already won this year's Leinster senior and U20 titles.

Instead, Tony Furey picked off a couple of close-range frees, and Eamon Maher strode forward to land a double. But Kelly’s first point from play put Louth back one up going into stoppage time.

All that did was set the stage for Jack Ryan, and just as he did against Kildare, the Doon goalie stepped up to nail his third and fourth two-pointers, both from the left wing, to see out a thrilling win for the midlanders.

Scorers - Offaly: T Furey 1-6 (0-5f); J Ryan 0-8 (4 tpf); D Dunne 1-1; C McNamee, E Maher (tp) 0-2 each; D Stewart 0-1. Louth: C Kelly 0-9 (3 tpf, 2f); C McQuillan 1-2 (1-0pen); O Reidy 1-1; J Martin 1-0, M McGlew 0-2.

Offaly: Jack Ryan; Cormac Farrell, Tomas Carroll, Caden O'Beirne; Patrick Duffy, Tadhg Kelly, Eoin Rouse; Eamon Maher, Charlie Duffy; Cathal Weldon, Dylan Dunne, Arron Daly; Tony Furey, Cian McNamee, Ruairí Woods. Subs: Darragh Stewart for Weldon (39 mins); Cian Duffy for Daly (43).

Louth: Senon Connolly; Rian Hickey, Finn McEneaney, Ciaran Titley; Michael McGlew, Tadhg Devaney, Conor Marron; Tom Maguire, Cillian McQuillan; Oisin Reidy, Andrew O'Reilly, Connell Kelly; Niall McCreesh, Jack Martin, Cian Rooney. Subs: Conal Mannion for McCreesh (54 mins), Senan Hoey for Rooney (57).

Referee: James Foley (Carlow).