Offaly 4-18 Down 1- 11

Two slack goals in the second quarter gave Offaly a platform for a 16 point victory against Down in the National Hurling League in Birr.

Although Offaly built up a lead of 1-2 to no score after 8 minutes, the teams were level at 1-4 apiece, 12 minutes later.

A well-taken goal by star forward, Emmet Trainor, and 2 points each from Andy Savage and Gareth Johnston put Down in a strong position with the wind on their backs.

But then came the two Offaly goals and despite 2 points from Brendan McGourty and a further point from Johnston, Down were left with an uphill struggle against the wind in the second half.

Manager Gerald Coulter replaced four of his forwards in a search for scores, but Down only managed four points in the second half, three of them frees from Johnston.

Kilclief’s Fintan Conway had an outstanding debut at corner back.  Andy Savage hurled his heart out at midfield, ably supported by Brendan McGourty, and Emmet Trainor was the pick of the forwards.

Offaly were always in control and, on this performance, Down have a lot of work to do for the visit of Cork to Ballygalget on March 18.

Down: Graham Clarke, L Clarke (inj. K Courtney, 69 mins), S Murray(Capt.), F Conway, M Ennis, P Hughes, Gabriel Clarke, A Savage, B McGourty, E McGuinness (S Ennis 27 mins), G Johnston, D Flynn (A Dynes, 54 mins), M Coulter (P Coulter, 27 mins), E Trainor, E Clarke (C Sloan, 57 mins).

Scorers: G Johnston (0-6, 0-4 from frees), E Trainor (1-0), B McGourty (0-3), A Savage (0-2).