Allianz National Football League, Division 3 final
OFFALY 2-17 KILDARE 1-18
By Paul Keane at Croke Park (from gaa.ie website)
As Man of the Match Keith O’Neill said in his post-match interview, few gave Offaly a chance of being promoted this season let alone of claiming the Allianz NFL Division 3 title.
But a powerful Croke Park performance, their best display of the season, overwhelmed favourites Kildare and secured back-to-back wins over the Lilywhites in 2025.
Local hero Cormac Egan dug deep when the need was greatest, firing the goal and adding a point as Offaly reeled off 1-03 without reply in the closing quarter to set the seal on a landmark victory.
Jack Bryant was terrific too, starring in the first-half when he struck 1-3, while O’Neill kicked four points from play.
It’s a first ever Division 3 title for Offaly and they will hope to carry this momentum on into the Leinster SFC with a quarter-final opener against Carlow or Meath on April 13.
As for Kildare, they’ll rue all their missed opportunities with 13 wides overall and a number of wasted goal chances. They’ll be in Leinster SFC action on April 12, at home to Westmeath.
Harte, who is Offaly’s joint manager alongside Declan Kelly, claimed a Division 1 title with Derry just 12 months ago.
That was his second top flight win having previously won with his native Tyrone while he also experienced a Division 2 win with the Red Hands, in 2016. He also enjoyed Division 3 (2022) and 4 (2021) wins with Louth.
So league final day was nothing new to the veteran boss who clearly had his team fully focused and ready to go.
Bryant summed up their appetite for destruction with a fourth minute goal that set the tempo for an all-action Offaly performance.
The 2021 All-Ireland U-20 winner burst clear of Mick O’Grady and Brian Byrne before unleashing a sidewinder that flew into the top right corner of the net.
Bryant added three points from play to take his tally to 1-3 by half-time with full-back O’Grady struggling to contain him.
Jordan Hayes boomed over a two-pointer too though the midlanders were frustrated that they didn’t raise at least one more green flag.
John Furlong had a shot blocked by defender Brian Byrne and Bryant was denied by an O’Grady block closer to half-time.
Kildare finished the half strongly too with four points in a row from James McGrath, Ryan Houlihan and Alex Beirne to leave just three points in it at half-time, 1-10 to 0-10.
Kildare got a real boost early in the second-half when Harry O’Neill palmed in a goal from close range.
It was another example of just how dangerous a point attempt that drops short can be as goalkeeper Cian Burke failed to collect the ball and O’Neill mopped up, palming in from close range.
Kildare fans had more to cheer about when sub Paddy McDermott and Beirne, 2, reeled off three points in a row between the 49th and 54th minutes.
But even that only put them on level terms at 1-14 apiece and when Offaly hit the gas again, they pulled decisively clear with Egan instrumental.
His 56th minute goal was expertly taken, the Tullamore man latching onto a pop pass over the top, darting between Kevin Flynn and Ryan Houlihan and improvising with a low, right footed finish.
A 61st minute Egan point stretched Offaly’s lead to six points at 2-17 to 1-14.
Offaly deserved their lead though Kildare rued some bad misses. They fired seven second-half wides, hit the post with a point attempt, dropped another short while Darragh Kirwan had a shot at goal saved when Niall Kelly was unmarked on his outside.
Kirwan did kick three points in a row late on to cut the gap to two points but that was as close as they came, Beirne shooting a late, late two-point attempt wide.
Offaly scorers: Jack Bryant 1-3, Cormac Egan 1-1, Keith O’Neill 0-4, Jordan Hayes 0-2 (tp), Dylan Hyland 0-2 (1f), Shane Tierney 0-2 (tp), Daire McDaid 0-1, Cathal Flynn 0-1, Jack McEvoy 0-1.
Kildare scorers: Alex Beirne 0-5 (0-3f), Harry O’Neill 1-0, Darragh Kirwan 0-3 (0-2f), Cian Burke 0-2 (2ptf), James McGrath 0-2, Colm Dalton 0-1, Ryan Houlihan 0-1, Callum Bolton 0-1, Niall Kelly 0-1, Paddy McDermott 0-1, Darragh Swords 0-1.
Offaly: Paddy Dunican; Lee Pearson, Rory Egan, Aidan Bracken; Cormac Egan, John Furlong, Daire McDaid; Jack McEvoy, Jordan Hayes; Kyle Higgins, Cathal Flynn, Keith O’Neill; Dylan Hyland, Jack Bryant, Shane Tierney. Subs: Ruairi McNamee for Hyland 68, Aaron Leavy for McEvoy 68.
Kildare: Cian Burke; Brian Byrne, Mick O’Grady, David Hyland; Harry O’Neill, James McGrath, Ryan Houlihan; Kevin Feely, Callum Bolton; Colm Dalton, Jack McKevitt, Ryan Sinkey; Cathal Hagney, Alex Beirne, Niall Kelly.
Subs: Paddy McDermott for Hagney 26, Darragh Kirwan for McKevitt h/t, Darragh Swords for Sinkey 49, Kevin Flynn for O’Grady 54, Ryan Burke for Houlihan 58.
Referee: Kieran Eanetta (Tyrone).
