By: Liam White
Our minor hurlers produced a remarkable second half comeback to book their place in the final of the Peadar O’Laithin after their 4-12 to 2-14 victory over Kildare in Kilcormac on Saturday.
Peadar O’Laithin Leinster Minor Hurling Championship Semi Final
Offaly 4-12
Kildare 2-14
Down by 2-12 to 0-4 at the break after what was a tough opening 30 minutes, Brian Carroll’s side came through and responded with four second half strikes to turn a 14 point deficit into a four point victory.
Things were looking worrying at half time, with Kildare winning all the dirty and high ball, winning rucks and being deadly accurate with their shooting. At the heart of that was Sean Higgins and Cuan Óg Macaogain, who were sensational with their shooting and movement in the opening 30 minutes.
Aaron Moylan and Senan Nicholson also had big performances as they were driving their team forward and our first for every ball coming their way and Kildare were sitting pretty comfortable at the break with the final within their grasp.
A big second half performance was needed from the Faithful in the second half, and things started to motor once the first goal went on from Aaron Screeney, before a second moments later set up Screeney for Joe Furey brought the game back to six points, and the game was well and truly on.
Between the 40th and 50th minute, Offaly had turned the game around completely, with their tails up and the work rate kicked up a huge amount, and the introduction of substitutions like Mossy Dooley, Sean Devery and Patrick Duffy, Offaly found a new lease of life.
Furey’s second goal was as soon followed up by another strike, this time from Liam Mulhare saw Offaly marching forward towards what was once an unlikely victory. Kildare will be disappointed with their output in the second, albeit playing against a strong breeze, their 0-2 return won’t be something they’ll be looking back on with any fondness.
Late scores from Screeney and Sean Devery sealed the victory and thus booked Offaly into the final where they’ll be taking on Antrim for a chance to end the campaign with some silverware.
THE SCORERS
Offaly: Aaron Screeney 1-6 (5frees), Joe Furey 2-1, Liam Mulhare 1-2, James Dooley, Mossy Dooley and Sean Devery 0-1 each .
Kildare: Cuan Óg Macaogain 1-8 (3frees, 1 65), Sean Higgins 1-2, Finnan O’Rourke, Michael Reilly, Elliot Dwyer (1free) and Patrick O’Brien 0-1 each.
THE TEAMS
Offaly: Adam Martin (Tullamore); Lorcan Owens (Birr), Peter Fanning (Gracefield), Philip Larkin (Coolderry); Fiachra Carroll (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Barry Bennett (Birr), James Dooley (Drumcullen); Michael Kelly (Birr), James Kirwan (Belmont); Harry O’Sullivan (Carrig-Riverstown); Edward Carty (Birr), Jack Collins (Seir Kieran); Aaron Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey), Liam Mulhare (St Rynagh’s), Joe Furey (Edenderry). Subs- Patrick Duffy for Larkin (21m), Sean Devery for Kirwan (HT), Mossy Dooley for O’Sullivan (34m), Glenn Keaveney for Carty (40m) .
Kildare: Elliot Dwyer ; Conor Dunphy, Senan Nicholson, Jack King; Aodhan Dowling, Charlie Allen, Dara Lynch; Aaron Moylan, Finnan O’Rourke; Michael Reilly, Sean Higgins, Patrick O’Brien; Eoghan Lyons, Cuan Óg Mac Aogáin, Adam Conway. Subs– Senan Boran for King (52m), Adam Conway for O’Brien (56m).
Referee – Eoin Crossen.
WHAT’S NEXT
Offaly go forward into the final of the Peadar O’Laithin Cup against Antrim.
STATISTICS
Wides: Offaly – 14 (3 in first half); Kildare – 8 (5 in first half).
Yellow cards: Offaly – (1) Aaron Screeney
Kildare – (3) Oisin McAffee, Eoghan Lyons, Conor Dunphy
Red cards: Offaly – (0); Kildare – (0)
By Offaly PRO
Sat 9th May
