A fast moving and purposeful Offaly side had things all their own way as they coasted to an easy win over visitors New York in the Tailteann Cup quarter-final in Tullamore on Saturday afternoon.
The American visitors, playing a football championship match in Ireland for the first time since 2001, gave it their best shot and competed quite well for much of the first half, when playing against a strong wind. However, from the start it was clear that there would be no upset and once Offaly began to find real form coming up to half time, the only issue at stake was their winning margin.
While they will be very aware of the shortcomings of New York – their tackling was particularly suspect in the first half - it was an impressive win by Offaly and they are now moving well. They have shown real intent for the Tailteann Cup and are clearly determined to salvage something from their season.
They have also improved with each outing, surviving on their wits in Wexford, playing better against Wicklow last weekend and this was another step forward. They will now relish the opportunity of a semi-final in Croke Park while the four games they will get – and possibly one more – will be a great help to their younger players in particular.
Fielding a number of the 2021 All-Ireland under-21 football champions here, Offaly did show clay feet for a spell in the first half and took their time about putting New York away. A 10th-minute Keith O'Neill goal gave them a 1-03 to 0-01 lead but New York showed great character after this.
They worked hard all over the field while Jack Reilly had a super first half, scoring four of their points, three from play. His 29th minute free left them trailing by 1-07 to 0-05 and New York were the happier side at that stage.
It was, however, over as a contest at half time. Two Niall Darby points and one from Ruari McNamee was followed by an injury-time Anton Sullivan goal and a 2-10 to 0-05 interval lead gave Offaly the cushion they needed, even though they had to face into a stiff wind in the second half.
They put New York to bed early in the second half with the first four points. New York got the next three but Offaly struck for 1-02 without reply with impressive sub Cathal Flynn netting the goal in the 52nd minute.
There wasn't much to report from here on with New York getting three consolation points but they were only trying to rescue their pride at this stage.
Offaly: Paddy Dunican (0-01, 0-01f); Lee Pearson, Declan Hogan, Niall Darby (0-02, 0-01f); Rory Egan, Johnny Moloney (0-01), Cian Donoghue; Conor McNamee, Jordan Hayes; Bill Carroll, Ruari McNamee (0-02), Anton Sullivan (1-00); Jack Bryant (0-02), Niall McNamee (0-06, 0-05fs), Keith O'Neill (1-01).
Subs: Cathal Flynn (1-01) for Carroll (39), David Dempsey for Egan (40), Morgan Tynan for Conor McNamee (43), Diarmuid Egan for Ruari McNamee (58), Jack McEvoy (0-01) for O'Neill (60).
New York: Michael Cunningham; Colin Keane, Jamie Boyle, Alan Campbell; Shane Brosnan, Paddy Boyle, Dan O'Sullivan; Ger McCullagh, Jonathan Glynn Peter Fox, Sean Reilly (0-01, 0-01f), Tiernan Matthers; Adrian Varley (0-04, 0-01f), Jack Reilly (0-04, 0-01f), Mikey Brosnan.
Subs: Adam Stones for Fox (ht), Connell Aherne (0-02) for McCullagh (ht), Danny Corridan for Jack Reilly (60), Conor Mathers for Sean Reilly (60).
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).
Football
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