Offaly produced the classic performance of two halves as they held on to their Leinster Senior Hurling Championship status by the skin of their teeth with a very hard-earned win over a fiercely battling Antrim in O'Connor Park on Sunday afternoon.
Offaly played their best hurling by a distance against the strong wind in the first half, and were set up for a comfortable win when they led by 2-09 to 0-11 at the break.
Yet it ended up a very close run thing, a lot tighter than the scoreboard might indicate, as the visitors gave it everything they had, did really well to get back into it and were not that far away from an unlikely come from behind win.
Antrim will drop out of Leinster and contest the Joe McDonagh after losing all five of their matches this year.
Offaly made a dream start with a super Brian Duignan goal in the fourth minute and a big defining moment of the game was a sixth minute red card for Antrim corner back Niall O'Connor after an incident with man of the match Charlie Mitchell.
In a high stakes tussle with relegation on the line, it was a teak tough game. Offaly would have anticipated a very physical approach from Antrim but such an early red card was a disaster for them, leaving them with a mountain to climb.
It was all square, 1-01 to 0-04 when Offaly's crucial second goal arrived in the 13th minute – a flying Mitchell was fouled and Dan Ravenhill slotted home the penalty. 2-01 to 0-06 ahead at the quarter way stage, Offaly hit a purple patch that yielded points from Dan Ravenhill, Brian Duignan (free) and the superb Donal Shirley to lead by 2-04 to 0-06 after 22 minutes.
Antrim responded well with four points, the third an inspiring strike from Paddy Burke, and levelled it up at 0-10 to 2-04 after 29 minutes. Offaly played some of their best hurling from here to the interval, getting some quality points from Shirley and Mitchell and that 2-09 to 0-11 lead had them in a very strong position at the break.
Offaly didn't keep the same tempo in the second half and didn't score enough, just barely outscoring Antrim by 1-06 to 1-05 which was a poor return with the wind, and an extra man in their favour. Antrim deserve huge credit for their work rate as they fought for everything and the defence got on top.
Offaly were 2-13 to 0-13 up after 50 minutes but Antrim got back into it with three James McNaughton frees. Charlie Mitchell put four in it but McNaughton's 64th minute goal brought the gap down to a point, 1-16 to 2-14 and the home side were looking at a disastrous defeat.
They responded superbly. Stephen Rooney denied Brian Duignan what looked a sure-fire goal and Killian Sampson eased the home support's nerves with a great 66th minute goal. Brian Duignan added a free and that five point gap gave Offaly enough of a cushion to struggle home.
Late drama in Tullamore. There were late goals from James McNaughton and Killian Sampson for their respective teams made for an exciting finish. Antrim will end up in the Joe McDonagh after losing 1-16 to 3-15 against Offaly. pic.twitter.com/CxD9Dk8krA
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 25, 2025
Offaly: Mark Troy; Ciaran Burke, Ben Conneely, Cathal King, Ross Ravenhill, Donal Shirley (0-02), Sam Bourke; Killian Sampson (1-00), Colin Spain; Dan Bourke (0-01), Brian Duignan (1-07, 7f), Oisin Kelly; Dan Ravenhill (1-02, 1-0p), Charlie Mitchell (0-03), Jason Sampson.
Subs: Jack Clancy for Dan Ravenhill (HT), Eoghan Cahill for Jason Sampson (63m)
Antrim: Ryan Elliot; Conor Boyd, Paddy Burke (0-01), Niall O'Connor; Conal Bohill, Joe Maskey, Stephen Rooney; Gerard Walsh (0-02), Nigel Elliot (0-01); Scott Walsh (0-01), Eoghan Campbell, Ryan McCambridge (0-01); Eoin O’Neill, James McNaughton (1-08, 8f), Keelan Molloy (0-02).
Subs: Rory McCloskey for McCambridge (54m).
Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).
