OFFALY minor hurling manager John Leahy and his selectors Kieran McDonald, Ronnie Byrne and Dermot Hogan, have made three changes in personnel to their team for Saturday’s (May 18^th) Electric Ireland Leinster minor hurling championship quarter-final against Laois at 5.15pm in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.

Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Scott Feenane (Birr) and Ben Conneely (St Rynagh’s) who started during the 1-21 to 1-11 loss to Dublin at O’Connor Park, Tullamore on Saturday, May 4^th, are omitted and into the side come Padraig Guinan (Drumcullen) and the St Rynagh’s duo of Rian Kelly and Ronan Hughes.

Cillian Kiely, who lined out at full back against Dublin and scored 1-1 from placed balls, is ruled out owing to injury and he will be a huge loss as this is his third year to be part of the Offaly minor set up and indeed the former All-Ireland U-16 Poc Fada winner is still eligible for the grade in 2014.

Rian Kelly, who has been selected at left corner back, missed the Dublin game owing to a whiplash injury and his availability is a boost. Shinrone’s Daniel Doughan takes over at full back, with Emmet Nolan (Birr) and Donal Mahon (Lusmagh), who started at mid-field against both Carlow and Dublin, occupying the half back roles.

Alan Spain (Kilcormac/Killoughey) and Ronan Hughes (St Rynagh’s) make up a new mid-field partnership, while Colm Daly (St Rynagh’s) and James Kilmartin (Kilcormac/Killoughey) are selected in the central attacking positions, with Dylan Murray (Kilcormac/Killoughey) at top of the left.

Saturday’s minor encounter at O’Moore Park will act as the curtain-raiser to the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship clash between Laois and Antrim at 7pm.

Current Laois senior manager Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett was their minor manager in 2012 and twelve months ago he steered the O’Moore minors to their first win over Offaly in the Leinster MHC since 1972, as they recorded a 2-13 to 2-10 quarter-final victory at O’Connor Park.

 

The Offaly team is;

 

1 Eoghan Cahill (Birr)

2 Craig Taylor (Birr)

3 Daniel Doughan (Shinrone)
4 Rian Kelly (St Rynagh’s)
5 Emmet Nolan (Birr) (captain

6 Conor Doughan (Shinrone)

7 Donal Mahon (Lusmagh)

8 Alan Spain (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
9 Ronan Hughes (St Rynagh’s)

10 David Kelly (Belmont)
11 Colm Daly (St Rynagh’s)

12 Padraig Guinan (Drumcullen)
13 Jordan Fogarty (Shinrone)

14 James Kilmartin (Kilcormac/Killoughey)

15 Dylan Murray (Kilcormac/Killoughey)

 

SUBS;

16 Oisin Mahon (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
17 Ben Conneely (St Rynagh’s)
18 Conor Freeman (Carrig & Riverstown)
19 Eoin Carroll (Shinrone)
20 Jamie Coyne (Tullamore)

21 Shane Ryan (Seir Kieran)

22 Eoin Parlon (Coolderry)

23 Danny Spain (Brosna Gaels)
24 Scott Feenane (Birr)

Also on the panel; Adrian Cleary (Shinrone), Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac/Killoughey), Conor Molloy (Coolderry), Johnny O'Toole (Shamrocks), David O'Toole (Shamrocks)

 

 

Final: St Broughan's 4-3 Kilcormac/Killoughey  2-3

 FOLLOWING a hard fought final, St Broughan's will represent Offaly at the National Féile Peil na nÓg in Derry next Month.

The St Broughan's lads were made to work very hard for their win over Kilcormac/Killoughey in what was a very competitive encounter played at Walsh Island.

St Broughan's captain Oisin Murphy proudly accepted the Shield on behalf of his team-mates from Offaly Coiste na nOg Chairperson Colm Cummins.

 

 

 

The 2013 Leinster GAA Hurling Championship was officially launched at Croke Park today and representing Offaly at the event was team manager Ollie Baker and Kilcormac/Killoughey star Ciaran Slevin.

Players and members of the backroom teams of other Leinster counties were also present at the event in Croke Park, as was Leinster Council chairman Martin Skelly, who was on hand to help launch this summer's championships. 

The Leinster hurling champions, Galway, were represented by their captain Fergal Moore and team manager Anthony Cunningham.
Pictured here are senior hurlers, from left, Fergal Moore (Galway) Michael Rice (Kilkenny) Stephen Hiney (Dublin), Matthew Whelan (Laois) and Ciaran Slevin (Offaly) in attendance at the launch of the 2013 Leinster GAA Senior Championships.

The Leinster Hurling Championship started with the meeting of Antrim and Westmeath on May 5 and continues this Saturday when Carlow play London and Antrim meet Laois.

Offaly’s championship fixtures in the weeks ahead are ;

Saturday, May 18 – Electric Ireland Leinster MHC Laois v Offaly

Saturday, June 1 – Leinster SFC quarter-final Offaly v Kildare in Croke Park

Wednesday, June 5 – Bord Gais Energy Leinster U21 Hurling Championship Laois v Offaly in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise

Sunday, June 9 – Leinster SHC quarter-final Offaly v Kilkenny in O’Connor Park, Tullamore.

 

The 2013 Leinster GAA Football Championship was officially launched at Croke Park today and representing the Faithful County was team manager Emmet McDonnell and captain Niall McNamee.

Players and members of the backroom teams of other Leinster counties were also present at the event in Croke Park, as was Leinster Council chairman Martin Skelly, who was on hand to help launch this summer's championships. 

Cian O'Sullivan was there on behalf of provincial football champions Dublin.   
Westmeath and Carlow get the ball rolling in the Leinster GAA Football Championship when they meet on Sunday in Mullingar.

Photo: senior footballers, from left, Cian O'Sullivan, Dublin, Ben Brosnan, Wexford, John O'Brien, Louth, John McGrath, Wicklow, Shane Mulligan, Longford, Eamonn Callaghan, Kildare, Michael Quinn, Longford, Paul Sharry, Westmeath, Donal Keoghan, Meath, Niall McNamee, Offaly, John O'Loughlin, Laois, and Shane Lennon, Louth, in attendance at the launch of the 2013 Leinster GAA Senior Championships.

Offaly’s championship fixtures in the weeks ahead are ;

Saturday, May 18 – Electric Ireland Leinster MHC Laois v Offaly

Saturday, June 1 – Leinster SFC quarter-final Offaly v Kildare in Croke Park

Wednesday, June 5 – Bord Gais Energy Leinster U21 Hurling Championship Laois v Offaly in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise

Sunday, June 9 – Leinster SHC quarter-final Offaly v Kilkenny in O’Connor Park, Tullamore.

 

 

Kinnitty 0-17 Lusmagh 0-11

 Attention then turned to Rath for the meeting of Kinnitty and Lusmagh on Sunday evening.  Lusmagh had first use of the gusting wind which blew directly down the field and really needed a bigger lead than the 0-9 to 0-7 lead they carried with them to the dressing room at half-time.

 

Paddy Rigney opened the scoring for Kinnitty before Austen Lynch scored Lusmagh’s first point in Senior hurling for over a year.  Lusmagh, for whom Alan Glynn and Rory Quinlan hurled well in defence, never led by more than two points though Kinnitty goalkeeper Kevin O’Connor saved smartly from David Moran in the 22^nd minute when Lusmagh led by a point, 0-6 to 0-5.

 

Christopher Leonard laid down an early marker with two surging runs through the Lusmagh defence, and with the gusting wind, it seemed to be a contest between the respective goalkeepers, Kevin O’Connor and Gary Kelly in a poc fada competition.  Shane Kinsella and Christopher Leonard held the upper hand in midfield and though Alan Kelly extended Lusmagh’s lead, points from Colm Coughlan (free), Christopher Leonard and Shane Kinsella drew the sides level in the 42^nd minute.

 

With Brian Coughlan, Aodán Kealey and Seánie Carroll dominant in the Kinnitty half-back line and with James rigney calling the shots from full-back, Green and White took the lead in the 47^th minute when Colm Coughlan pointed a free, and when the same player twice pointed, Kinnitty led by three points with ten minutes remaining.  Young sub Niall Duffy gave Lusmagh some hope with a fine angled point but Kinnitty quickly hit back with Shane Kinsella and  regular Offaly goalkeeper James Dempsey (who lined out at centre half-forward) both pointing.  Injury time points by Colm Coughlan (’65) and James Dempsey completed the scoring.

 

SCORERS: Kinnitty: Colm Coughlan (0-8, 0-6 frees, 0-1 ’65), Shane Kinsella (0-3), James Dempsey (0-2), Paddy Rigney (0-1), Odhrán Kealey (0-1), Andrew Browne (0-1), Christopher Leonard (0-1).

Lusmagh: Alan Kelly (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 ’65), Aidan Hanrahan (0-3), Austen Lynch (0-1), Damien Kelly (0-1), Eoin Quinlan (0-1), Niall Duffy (0-1).

 

 Elsewhere, Shamrocks got their Molloy Environmental Systems Intermediate hurling championship campaign off to the best possible start with a 3-11 to 1-9 win over neighbours Kilcormac-Killoughey.

 

In the Molloy Environmental Systems Junior hurling championship, there were wins for Tullamore over Ballyskenagh, 0-14 to 0-2, for Seir Kieran over Edenderry, 2-11 to 0-7, and for Brosna Gaels over Birr  by 1-12 to 2-7

 

St Brendan’s Park, Birr, was centre-stage today for a Molloy Environmental Systems Senior hurling championship double header where South Offaly met West Offaly in each case. 

 

Coolderry 1-21 Belmont 2-8

 

Coolderry and Belmont were first to take the field and Coolderry established an early 0-6 to 0-2 lead.  Belmont drew level in the 21^st minute, 1-4 to 0-7, when David Cox finished a fine goal and with Leon Fox hurling well in midfield went on to lead when Mark Egan converted a free.  Martin Corcoran might have scored a goal after a Belmont backpass to goalkeeper Barry Egan went badly wrong but Corcoran’s effort flashed wide of the post.  Still, points from a Brian Carroll free and from Martin Corcoran gave Coolderry a 0-9 to 1-5 half-time lead.

 

Points by Kevin Connolly and Declan Parlon, both of whom impressed in the Coolderry attack, extended that lead before Mark Egan (free) and Paul Egan reduced Belmont’s arrears.  Then a David Cox effort for a point dropped short and was spilled over the goal line by Stephen Corcoran to restore Belmont’s lead, 2-7 to 0-11 in the 35^th minute.

 

That was the signal for the 2010 and 2011 champions to up their game ind they went on to score 1-10 uninterrupted over the course of the next 22 minutes.  With the sides level in the 42^nd minute Barry Egan saved Brian Carroll’s penalty but it offered temporary respite for Belmont as Barry Teehan gave Coolderry the lead again and Brian Carroll followed up with a pointed free.  The game swung irretrievably Coolderry’s way in the 49^th minute when Martin Corcoran scored an opportunist goal, pouncing on the loose ball after Kevin Brady’s long range effort rebounded from the post.

 

With Brendan O’Meara commanding at full-back, Joe and Kevin Brady doing likewise further outfield and Kevin Teehan getting through quite an amount of work at midfield, the supply to the Coolderry forwards was endless and late points from Kevin Connolly, Barry Teehan (2), Brian Carroll (2) and Declan Parlon sealing the win.

 

SCORERS: Coolderry: Brian Carroll (0-10), Martin Corcoran (1-1), Declan Parlon (0-3), Kevin Connolly (0-3), Cathal Parlon (0-2), Barry Teehan (0-2).

Belmont:  David Cox (2-0), Mark Egan (0-5), Alan Egan (0-1), Paul Egan (0-1), Shane Nally (0-1).

 

 

 

St Rynagh’s 1-12 Shinrone 1-8

 

St Rynagh’s and Shinrone met in the second leg of today’s double-header and with Shinrone fielding no less than eight U21s and St Rynagh’s fielding six U21s, the recent U21 Final was not far from the minds of either side.

 

Despite this significant factor, this match was slow to catch fire.  Gary Conneely opened the scoring in the fourth minute; the next score took a further 12 minutes to materialise.  Derek Morkan, returned from injury and lining out at corner-forward, gathered Shane McKelvey’s long ball and crashed the sliotar to the net.  

 

St Rynagh’s made the first significant move of the match, switching Ger Rafferty from full-forward to the half-forward line with James Sullivan going in the opposite direction.  That move was to change the course of the game as the St Rynagh’s attack began to move that bit better.  Ethan Mannion’s 23^rd minute goal restored their lead that they would never subsequently relinquish.  Gary Conneely followed up with a point, and though Shinrone did reply with points from Dónal Morkan (free) and Seán Cleary, Seán Dolan and Pat Camon were controlling midfield and Dermot Shortt was hurling well at centre half-back.  Three Ger Scales frees late in the half saw St Rynagh’s take a 1-7 to 1-3 lead at half-time.

 

Shinrone started the second half meaning business and had halved their deficit by the 34^th minute as Dónal Morkan and Declan Cleary pointed.  St Rynagh’s scored just five times in the second half, with four of those coming in an eight minute spell between the sixth and 14^th minutes, during which time Pat Camon (twice), Ger Scales and Gary Conneely pointed. 

 

That is was sufficient was down to some horrendous shooting from Shinrone, a factor sometimes attributable to shooting from distance in a stiff crosswind, sometimes due to good pressure from the St Rynagh’s defence and often due to poor shot selection.

 

Having gone 16 minutes without a score, centre half-back Shane McKelvey showed how it was done with a mighty effort from distance in the 59^th minute. There was a glimmer of hope for Shinrone but that glimmer was extinguished when the hardworking Seán Dolan capped a fine performance with the insurance point in additional time as St Rynagh’s have not been defeated in the opening round of the Championship since losing to Ballyskenagh in 2005’s first round.

 

SCORERS: St Rynagh’s: Ger Scales (0-5, 0-4 frees), Ethan Mannion (1-0), Gary Conneely (0-3), Pat Camon (0-2), Seán Dolan (0-2).

Shinrone: Seán Cleary (0-3), Derek Morkan (1-0), Dónal Morkan (0-2,frees) Shane McKelvey (0-1), Darren O'Meara (0-1), Declan Cleary (0-1).

 

 

Electric Ireland Leinster GAA Minor Football Championship quarter-final: Kildare 3-11 Offaly 0-5

Offaly exited the Electric Ireland Leinster GAA Minor Football Championship on Saturday after they suffered a heavy 3-11 to 0-5 defeat against a strong Kildare outfit in the quarter-final at St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge.

After their first round heroics against Meath, this was a disappointing result for Padraig Farrell’s side who never got going in the extremely difficult weather conditions. Kildare led by 2-7 to 0-3 at the break, and while they didn’t score as freely during the concluding half they were always in control.

 

Offaly’s first half points were accounted for by Alan Geoghegan (free), Paddy Dunican (free) and Jamies Evans, while goalkeeper Jason Dunne pulled off three fine saves that kept the score far more respectable. The Lilywhite goals were executed late in the first half by Tommy Cribbin and Mark Sherry.

Ten points adrift at half time, Offaly introduced two subs for the concluding half and they needed a great start but it failed to materialise as Kildare ‘keeper Sean Dempsey pulled off two important saves. Evans and Geoghegan scored Offaly frees and overall Offaly managed to score just one point from play against their physically stronger opposition.

After this 3-11 to 0-5 victory, Kildare go on to face Dublin (who defeated Wexford by 0-17 to 0-9) in the Electric Ireland Leinster GAA MFC semi-final. The second semi-final pairing sees Meath (who Offaly defeated on Saturday, April 20th at Pairc Tailteann, Navan by 6-10 to 3-8) face Westmeath. The Meath lads had a 2-13 to 0-9 quarter-final win over Laois at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise, while Tommy Carr’s Westmeath were convincing 2-13 to 0-10 winners over Wicklow.

 

Scorers

Kildare: Mark Sherry 1-2, Wayne Fitzpatrick 0-4 (0-3 frees), Tommy Cribbin 1-0, Neil Flynn 0-3 (frees), Ryan Houlihan 1-0, Chris Healy 0-1, Luke Flynn 0-1.
Offaly: Jamie Evans 0-2 (0-1 free), Alan Geoghegan 0-2 (frees), Paddy Dunican 0-1 (free). 

Teams

Kildare: Sean Dempsey; Jamie Flynn, Paul Mescal, James Connolly; Cian McConnell, Niall Fleming, Diarmuid Hartley; Luke Flynn, Paschal Connell; Ryan Houlihan, Neil Flynn, Tommy Cribbin; Wayne Fitzpatrick, Mark Sherry, Chris Healy.

Subs: Rory McDermott for Niall Fleming (43 mins), Ben McCormack for Paschal Connell (53 mins), Conor Davin for Ryan Houlihan (57 mins), Darren Maguire for Jamie Connolly (58 mins), Michael Kelly for Wayne Fitzpatrick (59 mins).

Offaly: Jason Dunne; Jim Hendy, James Lalor, Mikie Keogh; Ken Hogan (Capt.), Oisin Cusack, Alan Heffernan; Paddy Dunican, Declan Byrne; Dean McDonagh, Adam Mangan, Jamie Evans; Alan Geoghegan, Adam Shelly, Ruairi McNamee.

Subs: Jack Walsh for Mikie Keogh (half time), Darragh Keenaghan for Dean McDonagh (half time), Gareth Byrne for Alan Geoghegan (50 mins), Christian Brazil for Jim Hendy (53 mins), Oran Lawton for Paddy Dunican (57 mins).

Referee: Ronald Malone (Dublin).

 

FANS turned out in big numbers for the Offaly GAA Championship Open Night on Friday, May 10.

At O’Connor Park, Tullamore there was an open training session with the Offaly senior football squad under the guidance of manager Emmet McDonnell.
While Offaly goalkeeper and the county’s Coaching & Games Promotion Manager Alan Mulhall used the occasion to promote the forthcoming Kellogg’s Cul GAA Summer Camps.

Offaly play Longford in a challenge game tomorrow Sunday, May 12 to mark the official opening of the refurbished Grattan Og grounds in Stonepark, Longford at 2.30pm as they continue their preparations for their Leinster GAA Football championship quarter-final against Kildare on Saturday, June 1 at Croke Park.

GAA fans, young and old, ventured to O’Connor Park where they had their photographs taken with players, obtained autographs and local media representatives were also present to conduct interviews.

 

Posters and wrist bands were also distributed on the night.

Meanwhile, following the Kilcormac/Killoughey versus Birr encounter in the opening round of the Molloy Environmental Systems Senior Hurling Championship at St Rynagh’s Park, Banagher, there was a meet and greet with Offaly hurling manager Ollie Baker and members of his panel.

Offaly host reigning All-Ireland and recently crowned Allianz Hurling League Division 1 kingpins Kilkenny in the opening round of the Leinster Championship on Sunday, June 9 in O’Connor Park, Tullamore and that fixture is sure to attract a bumper crowd. Kilkenny, too, have been boosted by the news that JJ Delaney will be available.

Offaly’s championship fixtures in the weeks ahead are ;

Saturday, May 18 – Electric Ireland Leinster MHC Laois v Offaly

Saturday, June 1 – Leinster SFC quarter-final Offaly v Kildare in Croke Park

Wednesday, June 5 – Bord Gais Energy Leinster U21 Hurling Championship Laois v Offaly in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise

Sunday, June 9 – Leinster SHC quarter-final Offaly v Kilkenny in O’Connor Park, Tullamore.

 

THE Offaly GAA Spring Football & Hurling Leagues at U14, U16 & Minor are reaching the concluding stages.  

Commencing in early March the programme has seen over 100 games being played in both codes at the above grades.  

In a novel twist a draw has been made to see which of our finalists get HOME venue for the final.  The draw was made at the Official Offaly GAA Open Night on Friday May 10th and the details of the finals pairings are listed below.

 

UNDER 14 LEAGUES

The U14 Leagues have been particularly competitive as the winners of the Div. 1 Finals go one to represent Offaly at the Football Féile in Derry and the Hurling Féile in Limerick. 

 

U14 Football League Final

Tuesday 14th May

Venue - Walsh Island

St. Broughan's Vs. Kilcormac/Killoughey

 

U14 Hurling League Final (Div. 1)

Friday 24th May

Venue - Banagher

St. Rynaghs Vs. Kilcormac/Killoughey

 

U14 Hurling League Final (Div. 2)

Friday 24th May

Venue - Carraig

CRC Gaels Vs. Ferbane/Belmont

 

UNDER 16 LEAGUES

In U16 Football the final round of groups games takes place on Monday next 13th May and this will determine the final pairings.  The pairings are already known in the U16 Hurling Competition.

 

U16 Football League Final (Div. 1)

Saturday 18th May

Venue - Winner Div. 1(A)

Winner Div. 1(A) Vs. Winner Div. 1(B)

 

U16 Football League Final (Div. 2)

Saturday 18th May

Venue - Winner Div. 2(B)

Winner Div. 2(B) Vs. Winner Div. 2(A)

 

U16 Hurling League Final (Div. 1)

Monday 20th May

Venue - Kilcormac

Kilcormac/Killoughey Vs. St. Rynaghs

 

U16 Hurling League Final (Div. 2)

Monday 20th May

Venue - Shinrone

Shinrone Vs. Na Fianna

 

 

MINOR LEAGUES

The Minor Final pairings are almost known with just one outstanding team in Div. 2 hurling

 

Minor Football League Final (Div. 1)

Wednesday 15th May

Venue - Edenderry

Edenderry Vs. Clara

 

Minor Football League Final (Div. 2)

Wednesday 15th May

Venue - Gracefield

Gracefield Vs. DER Gaels

 

Minor Hurling League Final (Div. 1)

Wednesday 22nd May

Venue - Birr or Shinrone (Birr & Shinrone play 15th May in final group game)

Birr/Shinrone Vs. Kilcormac/Killoughey

 

Minor Hurling League Final (Div. 2)

Wednesday 22nd May

Venue - Clara

Clara Vs. Winner 2(B)