Ahead of their Leinster SHC quarter-final clash we look back at a meeting between the sides that took place at the same stage of the championship in 1982.
by James McMahon
Offaly and Wexford have met 16 times in the Leinster championship, with the midlanders 9-7 ahead on victories. Their last meeting in 2009 was a quarter-final clash at Wexford Park, where the home side prevailed on a 2-17 to 0-16 scoreline.
Indeed recent history has favoured the Yellowbellies, who have won the last four encounters. Offaly’s last win came in 2000.
Back in the early 80s, Offaly hurling was on a high and after delivering their first All-Ireland in 1981, they set out the following year to regain their provincial title and Wexford were first up in a Leinster quarter-final clash.
Offaly 2-16 Wexford 3-12 – Leinster SHC quarter-final, 30 May 1982
On a sweltering hot day at Croke Park, the then reigning All-Ireland champions Offaly got their 1982 campaign underway with an exciting one-point win over Wexford.
Paddy Kirwan’s splendidly struck sideline cut from 50 yards sailed brilliantly over the bar with six minutes left to give the midlanders victory in a game in which both sides had periods of dominance.
Padraig Horan goaled early on to give Offaly early momentum, as they established a 1-07 to 0-04 advantage. However, any thoughts that Wexford were about to wilt in the heat were soon dispelled as Seanie Kinsella went on solo charge towards the Offaly goal and unleashed a fierce shot that rattled the back of the net.
That was in the 32 minute and it wasn’t long before the sides were level. Mick Jacob’s probing ball somehow found Martin Quigley through a forest of hurleys, and the latter managed to steer the ball in past Jim Troy.
Offaly did compose themselves and fired over two quick points to regain the lead, but the Yellowbellies’ response was again telling.
A Jacob free on the half-way line was aimed in the direction of Tony Doran, who set up Seanie Kinsella to goal and Wexford’s gander was now up as they headed in for the break.
Changes to personnel and positional switches on the resumption would prove to be key in deciding the outcome. Top marks would have to go to the Offaly backroom team, with Liam Currams raising his game when switched to midfield.
Ger Coughlan, Pat Delaney, Brendan Keeshan, Aidan Fogarty and the matchwinner Kirwan, who came on for the injured Pat Fleury after 27 minutes, also found renewed bursts of energy.
Wexford did bring on Johnny Murphy to add weight to their forward line, with Martin Quigley switching to the ‘40, as they sought to lessen the burden on Tony Doran.
An overall assessment would be that Offaly had the more balanced attacking division, and while the margin of victory was only a point, the Faithful did deserve to advance. Brendan Bermingham’s goal after 45 minutes had them in front again, but Murphy and Doran combined to good effect at the opposite end before the latter scored his side’s third goal on 54.
Wexford were now ahead by three, but Offaly’s doggedness saw them level affairs with a trio of points in the 56th, 59th and 63rd minutes.
With five minutes left, up stepped Kirwan with the defining act in this Croke Park thriller. Wexford had ample time to level or plunder a victory, but their rivals stood firm to repel all raids.
Three weeks later, Offaly got past Laois to book a provincial final spot. Kilkenny provided the opposition on 25 July back at headquarters. The Faithful were favourites to prevail, but a controversial late goal earned Kilkenny a 49th Leinster title on a 1-11 to 0-12 scoreline.
Scorers –
Offaly – P Horan (1-7), B Bermingham (1-0), P Carroll (0-02) M Corrigan (0-2), P Kirwan (0-2), P Delaney, J Kelly and J Flaherty (0-01 each)
Wexford - S Kinsella (1-3), T Doran (1-1), M Quigley (1-1), M Jacob (0-2), G O’Connor (0-2), J Murphy (0-2), N Buggy (0-01)
Offaly – J Troy, B Keeshan, E Coughlan, P Fleury, A Fogarty, P Delaney, G Coughlan, T Conneely, J Kelly, L Currams, B Bermingham, M Corrigan, P Carroll, P Horan, Flaherty
Subs: P Kirwan for Fluery
Wexford – J Nolan, B Murphy, J Russell, L Bennett, J Conran, M Jacob, C Doran, P Courtney, J Fleming, G O’Connor, J Houlahan, M Quigley, N Buggy, T Buggy, T Doran, S Kinsella.
Subs – J Murphy for Courtney, J Barron for Buffy, P Hanrick for Houlahan
