30 May 2010
Antrim came oh so close to pulling off the biggest shock in hurling since their win over Offaly in 1989 when they led the same opposition deep in injury time in Sunday’s Leinster Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final at Parnell Park, Dublin.
For long periods Antrim were the better team and they seemed set to book a semi-final place against Galway in two weeks time, but they failed to close out the match when well on top and Offaly grabbed a late equaliser to bring the game to extra time.
The Midlanders totally dominated the extra-time period and with Antrim now a spent force Joe Dooley’s men secured that semi-final spot with seven points to spare.
Antrim got off to a great start and 1-1 from Neill McManus and a point from centre-half-forward Johnny Campbell put them 1-2 to 0-0 ahead after just six minutes.
Offaly responded and they reeled off five points through Joe Bergin (2), Shane Dooley and Rory Hanniffy to square the game by the fifteenth minute, and further points from Kevin Brady and Brian Carroll put them ahead.
For a period it looked like Offaly were getting on top but Antrim produced a storming finish to the opening half and goals from Barry McFall and Karl Keegan (playing in the unfamiliar corner-forward position) put them three ahead by the break, 3-9 to 1-12.
When Karl Stewart and Neil McAuley pointed to stretch the Saffrons advantage to five points things looked really good for Dinny Cahill's charges and when Offaly’s Derek Molloy received his second yellow card of the match to reduce the Faithful county to fourteen men the big win Antrim crave so much seemed to be on.
Antrim had chances to close out the game and Joey Scullion was unlucky when his goalbound shot hit the Offaly goalkeeper on the throat and rebounded to safety. Offaly’s top man Shane Dooley hit some fine scores to keep his team in touch and as the game went over the allotted injury time it was he who hit the late-late-equaliser to bring the game to extra time.
With Antrim totally shattered from their exertions, and the psychological blow of conceding so late on, Offaly romped away with the game in extra time, but they can take great heart from their best championship display in years. Things have been rocky for Dinny Cahill since his return but he can take great heart from this display from once again restoring some pride in Antrim hurling on the National stage.
From GAA Website:
Offaly 2-26 Antrim 3-16 (aet)
Offaly will meet Galway in the Semi-Final of the Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Championship after getting the better of Antrim after extra time at Parnell Park on Sunday.
The win was not without its scary moments for Joe Dooley’s side as they needed an injury-time free from the manager’s son Shane to force extra time as Antrim battled commendably for the 70 minutes of normal time.
Ultimately, however, they ran out of steam and Offaly were able to ground them down to advance to the last four.
To their credit though, Antrim began the game at a blistering pace, and led by 1-2 to no score after six minutes, Neil McManus with the goal, courtesy of a Shane McNaughton handpass.
Offaly’s response was emphatic however as points from Derek Molloy, Shane Dooley, Joe Bergin (two) and Rory Hanniffy had them level and by the 17th minute the Faithful County were in a 1-10 to 1-5 lead, Shane Dooley with the goal, a low, hard pull on the sliothar from the right-hand side, while Kevin Brady also got in on the scoring act with two good points.
Three minutes before half-time though, Colm McFaul’s shot through a crowded Offaly goalmouth was adjudged by the umpires to have crossed the line and when McNaughton followed that up with a point the sides were level, 2-8 to 1-11.
Things then got even better for Antrim when Karl McKeegan booted the ball to the net after being played in and, following an exchange of points from Neil McManus and Shane Dooley, Antrim led 3-9 to 1-12 at half-time.
The 8-1 outsiders continued to have the edge in the second half though they rode their luck at times, Offaly having a goal disallowed for an infringement in the parallelogram while Rory Hanniffy’s shot drew a brilliant save from Antrim goalkeeper Gareth McGhee.
Antrim were defending well, absorbing pressure for the most part, though they did go 10 minutes without a score while Offaly continued to eat into the lead, helped by four Dooley points, and with three minutes left it was 3-14 to 1-19 for Antrim, a one-point lead.
A close-in free from McNaughton left Dinny Cahill’s side looking good but Hanniffy cancelled out that score and, in injury time, Dooley converted a free to send the game into extra time, the score 3-15 to 1-21.
In the additional 20 minutes, there was only one team in the game, the fight going out of Antrim having come so close and points from Offaly’s Brian Carroll and Cathal Parlon, allied to a goal from Hanniffy, meant that they moved into a comfortable lead by half-time in extra time, and with Antrim only able to score a solitary point, the Faithful progressed.
From RTE:
Antrim's quest for a first Championship win over Offaly since 1989 ended in extra-time heartbreak as they lost this exhaustive Leinster SHC quarter-final tussle at Parnell Park.
It was all about the Saffrons for the vast majority of this game as Offaly seemed stunned by the sheer work ethic and skill of Dinny Cahill's charges.
However, Offaly stole a march on the northerners in extra-time, thanks to a Rory Hanniffy goal and substitutes Odhran Kealey and Ger Healion also chipped in with vital points.
Antrim looked odds on for a shock victory deep in the second half of normal time, when Shane McNaughton's fifth point of the afternoon put two between the sides.
However, a late Dylan Hayden point and a last-gasp Shane Dooley score levelled the tie for Offaly and ensured extra-time.
It was in extra-time where Offaly finally seized some sort of control. Dogged by injuries and players going down with cramp, Antrim could not maintain the electrifying pace with which they began this contest.
The super-charged Saffrons hit the ground running to claim a 1-02 to 0-00 lead after just six minutes, leaving Offaly shellshocked. Full-forward Neil McManus was in superb form, getting this blockbuster off the ground with a second minute point.
Johnny Campbell pointed a long range free soon after, with the majestic McManus' powerfully-struck sixth minute goal, teed up by McNaughton, edging Antrim into a five-point lead.
But Offaly responded in impressive fashion, hitting the next six points with top scorer Shane Dooley in sparkling form.
Indeed, Offaly's first goal arrived from the stick of Dooley to push the Faithfuls 1-06 to 1-02 ahead by the end of the first quarter.
Antrim stayed in touch, however, and were the better side before the break. Goals from Colm McFall and Karl McKeegan, inside an action-packed three-minute spell, sent the Saffrons 3-09 to 1-12 in front for half-time.
McFall finished to the net in the 32nd minute, after Thomas McCann's initial effort had come back off the post. For Antrim's third goal, McKeegan ended a good team move by rasping a superb strike to the back of the Offaly net.
Offaly manager Joe Dooley opted to replace his goalkeeper Brian Mullins on the restart, with James Dempsey introduced, but Antrim extended their lead thanks to scores from Stewart and Neil McAuley.
Joe Bergin had the ball in the Antrim net in the 42nd minute, but the Seir Kieran clubman was denied a much-needed goal when referee Anthony Stapleton and his umpires adjudged that he was in the square.
Offaly needed to catch a break and Antrim goalkeeper Gareth McGhee was not about to give it to them. He produced a terrific save in the 46th minute to block out Rory Hanniffy's goal-bound effort.
Shane Dooley grabbed a point back for Offaly, bringing his tally to 1-05, but Offaly were reduced to 14 men shortly afterwards.
Wing forward Derek Molloy was sent to the line, earning his second yellow card for a wild swing on Antrim midfielder Karl Stewart.
Despite Stewart claiming the next score, which propelled his side into a 3-12 to 1-13 lead, Offaly dug deep to register four unanswered points - all from the talismanic Dooley.
Dooley's string of scores ensured the deficit was cut to the minimum, but Antrim kept ahead thanks to scores from McNaughton and Kieran McGourty.
Indeed, Antrim were unlucky not to extend their lead even further, as Joey Scullion was thwarted by Offaly goalkeeper James Dempsey in the 65th minute. Substitute Liam Watson, a welcome addition to the Saffrons side, also misfired on three occasions in the closing six minutes.
Antrim led by 3-15 to 1-19 a minute into injury-time, with McNaughton rifling over, but Hayden and Dooley pulled Offaly back from the jaws of defeat with two nerveless efforts.
Antrim were second best in extra-time, however, and Offaly showed renewed energy after Hanniffy netted to give his side a lead they would not relinquish.
Joe Dooley's charges led by 2-23 to 3-15 at half-time in extra-time, and despite the efforts of Brian McFall for Antrim, subsequent scores from Kealey (0-02) and Healion confirmed a hard-fought seven-point success for Offaly which sets them up for a crack at Galway on Sunday, June 20.
OFFALY: B Mullins; D Franks, P Cleary, M Verney; J Rigney, D Kenny, D Morkan; R Hanniffy (1-01), K Brady (0-03); D Currams, J Brady, D Molloy (0-01); B Carroll (0-03), J Bergin (0-03), S Dooley (1-10, 0-05f, 0-02 '65').
Subs used: B Murphy for Hanniffy (35 mins-half-time, blood sub), B Murphy for Currams, J Dempsey for Mullins (both half-time), G Healion (0-01) for Carroll (45), C Parlon (0-01) for J Brady (53), D Hayden (0-01) for K Brady (68); O Kealey (0-02) for Parlon (82), S Egan for Verney (89), S Kelly for Murphy (90).
ANTRIM: G McGhee; K McGourty (0-01), C Donnelly, A Graffin; N McAuley (0-01), J Campbell (0-02, 0-01f, 0-01 '65'), C Herron; P Shiels, K Stewart (0-02); E McCloskey, T McCann, J Scullion; S McNaughton (0-05, 0-02f), N McManus (1-04, 0-02f), K McKeegan (1-00).
Subs used: C McFall (1-00) for McCloskey (23 mins), L Watson for McCann (half-time), B McFall (0-01) for C McFall (70+1, blood sub); E McCloskey for C McFall, S McCrory for Shields (both 71), B McFall for Stewart (77), C McFall for McCrory, K Stewart for McCloskey (both 80).
Referee: Anthony Stapleton (Laois)
From BBC:
Antrim suffered heartbreak in Sunday's Leinster SHC clash at Parnell Park as Offaly edged out a brave Saffrons outfit 2-26 to 3-16 after extra-time.
The Saffrons led by 1-02 to 0-00 early on, with Neil McManus notching the goal for Dinny Cahill's side.
Offaly hit 1-6 without reply but Colm McFall and Karl McKeegan goals helped Antrim lead 3-9 to 1-12 at half-time.
Antrim still led by two as the match went into injury-time but Offaly forced extra-time before pulling clear.
The sides had been level at 3-15 to 1-21 at the end of normal time but the tiring Saffrons only managed a single point in extra-time.
Shane Dooley finished with a tally of 1-10 for the Faithful County.
It was all about the Saffrons for the vast majority of this game, as Offaly seemed stunned by the sheer work-ethic and skill of Dinny Cahill's charges.
Antrim hit the ground running with points from McManus and Johnny Campbell then added to by McManus' sixth-minute goal.
Offaly replied with six unanswered points and Dooley's goal but the Saffrons regrouped magnificently as goals from McFall and McKeegan left them 3-9 to 1-12 ahead at the break.
Offaly manager Joe Dooley opted to replace his goalkeeper Brian Mullins on the restart, with James Dempsey introduced, but Antrim extended their lead thanks to scores from Stewart and Neil McAuley.
Dinny Cahill makes a point to Offaly manager Joe Dooley at Parnell Park
Joe Bergin then had the ball in the Antrim net but it was ruled out for a square ball and the omens seemed good for Antrim when Gareth Magee made a great save to deny Rory Hannify.
It appeared to get even better for the Saffrons when Offaly's Derek Molloy was sent off after getting a second yellow card following a dangerous pull on Karl Stewart.
Stewart's point extended Antrim's advantage to 3-12 to 1-13 but four Dooley points reduced the Saffron advantage to the minimum.
Offaly keeper Dempsey then made a vital save to deny a goalbound effort by Joey Scullion while the Saffrons will also rue three Liam Watson misses in the closing six minutes.
The Saffrons appeared to have clinched a famous victory as they still led 3-15 to 1-19 as the match entered injury-time.
However, Dylan Hayden and Dooley pointed during the four added minutes to bring the game into extra-time.
It was hard to escape the nagging feeling that the Saffrons had missed their chance and so it was to prove in extra-time.
Rory Hannify's 76th-minute goal gave Offaly a three-point lead as Antrim began to run out of steam.
Indeed, the Saffrons managed only a solitary point in extra-time against Offaly's 1-5 tally.
But it had been a brave and skilful display by a Saffron side who had not been expected to trouble the Faithful County.
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Offaly: B Mullins, D Franks, P Cleary, M Verney, J Rigney, D Kenny, D Morkan, R Hanniffy (1-1), K Brady (0-3), D Currams, J Brady, D Molloy (0-1), B Carroll (0-3), J Bergin (0-03), S Dooley (1-10). Subs: B Murphy for Hanniffy (Blood half-time), B Murphy for Currams (h-t), J Dempsey for Mullins (h-t), G Healion (0-1) for Carroll 45, C Parlon (0-1) for J Brady 53, D Hayden (0-1) for K Brady 68, B Carroll extra-time, O Kealey (0-2) for Parlon 82, S Egan for Verney 89; S Kelly for Murphy 90
Antrim: G Magee, K McGourty (0-1), C Donnelly, A Graffin, N McAuley (0-1), J Campbell (0-2), C Herron, P Shiels, K Stewart (0-2), E McCloskey, T McCann, J Scullion, S McNaughton (0-5), N McManus (1-4), K McKeegan (1-0). Subs: C McFall (1-0) for McCloskey 23, L Watson for McCann (half-time), B McFall (0-1) for C McFall 70, E McCloskey for C McFall extra-time, S McCrory for Shields 71, B McFall for Stewart 77, C McFall for McCrory 80, K Stewart for McCloskey 80.
Referee: Anthony Stapleton (Laois)
