Offaly 1-19 Dublin 2-12
A total of 1-09 from Charlie Mitchell may take the headlines, but a stunning defensive display was the key ingredient as Offaly powered past Dublin in the Leinster U-20 hurling championship semi-final, a result which leaves them with a shot next week to win a first provincial title at this grade since 2000.
Over 6,000 supporters were in Glenisk O’Connor Park tonight as momentum continues to build in the Faithful County, at both senior and U-20 level. And while Offaly conceded the first score to a good point from Dublin senior panellist Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing, Leo O’Connor’s troops settled in well, using the very strong breeze that blew at their backs.
The absence of mercurial inside forward Adam Screeney was a serious blow, but Joe Hoctor stepped up to the mark with two fine points, Colin Spain potted two from distance in the first half, and by the 12th minute, Offaly were 0-5 to 0-1 to the good, and looking like the stronger team.
Dublin struck a huge blow when Ollie Gaffney showed a great forward’s instinct to chase down a shot from Ó Dúlaing that hung in the breeze and get a decisive touch, with Neil Clerkin also putting pressure on Mark Troy under the dropping sliotar, and it took the home side a while to recover from that.
Charlie Mitchell struck three frees just before half-time to make it 0-12 to 1-4, but the question on everyone’s lips at the interval was whether or not that lead would be adequate. Once Dublin knocked over three points in the first three minutes after the restart, the answer to that question looked like it would be a negative one.
Offaly dug their heels in defensively however, with Sam Bourke putting in a totemic performance at centre back to lead the way and a huge collective effort all around the pitch ensuring that they were by far the better team in the rucks and tackles.
Having steadied the ship over the next five minutes by forcing Dublin into some ill-advised shots from distance, a barnstorming run from Cormac Egan was about to shift momentum decisively back in favour of the home side.
The Tullamore man sprinted past two defenders and got his shot away, and while it was partially blocked, Mitchell was there to add the final touch and restore Offaly’s five-point lead.
Mitchell went on to pick off several wonderful points to help build up a strong Offaly lead, with Dan Ravenhill coming off the bench to chip in with two more, and the away side were a beaten docket by the time Conn Rock got a touch to Senan Crosbie’s centre to knock in their second goal with what turned out to be the last play of the game.
Offaly: Mark Troy; Patrick Taaffe, Ben Miller, James Mahon; Luke Watkins, Sam Bourke (0-01), Ter Guinan; Colin Spain (0-02), Cathal King; Dan Bourke (0-02), Cormac Egan, Conor Doyle; Shane Rigney (0-01), Joe Hoctor (0-02), Charlie Mitchell (1-09, 0-05 frees, 0-01 65).
Subs: Dan Ravenhill (0-02, 0-01 free) for Hoctor (half-time), Barry Egan for Guinan (53), Charlie Bracken for Miller (56)
Dublin: Adam O'Connor; Brian Dunne, Brian Moorhouse-Carroll, David Lucey; Conor Dolan, Jack O'Shea, Conal Ó Ríain; James O'Brien (0-01), Seán Gallagher (0-01); Brendan Kenny, Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing (0-05, 0-03 frees), Neil Clerkin (0-01); Ciaran Donovan, Jamie Conroy (0-01), Ollie Gaffney (1-01).
Subs: Conn Rock (1-01) for Clerkin (41), Neil Hogan (0-01) for Conroy (41), Senan Crosbie for O’Brien (43), Andrew Keegan for Dolan (50), Conor Brennan for Kenny (57)
Referee: Eamon Furlong (Wexford).
