On Wednesday night past new Offaly hurling
boss Joe Dooley got his tenure off to a good
start with a 4-13 to 2-12 Walsh Cup quarter-final
win over Down at Darver, Co Louth.
Daniel Currams and Francis Kerrigan set Offaly
on their way with two goals inside the opening
10 minutes of the first half.
Offaly dominated most sectors of the field
in the opening half as they used the wind
to good advantage.
However Down were far from a pushover and
good work from Stephen Clarke and first half
goal scorer Brendan Ennis ensured they kept
in touch.
Offaly were that bit more efficient in going
forward though and their more slick stickwork
and greater economy of effort helped them
build up a 2-12 to 1-4 cushioned lead at half-time.
Down bounced back well in the second half
and excellent scores from Kevin McGarry, Stephen
Clarke and a goal by Paddy Coulter heaped
the pressure on the Faithful.
Down went onto restrict Offaly to just 2-1
in the second half with a second goal from
Francis Kerrigan (47th) the only score of
the final quarter.
The Mourne men managed to cut the deficit
to just five points with 12 minutes remaining
in the game but a late goal from sub. Joe
Brady sealed the issue for Offaly.
Offaly - D Kilmartin, C Hernon, K Brady,
D Franks; D Horan, J Bergin 0-1, D Kenny,
C Mahon, B Teehan 0-2, S Dooley 0-4, G Oakley
0-2, J Gorman, D Currams 1-1, D Molloy 0-1,
F Kerrigan 2-2. Subs - D Murray for Molloy,
J Brady 1-0 for Gorman, J Rigney for Teehan.
Down - G Clarke, L Clarke, F Conway, P Hughes;
S Wilson, C Courtney, G Clarke; A Savage,
C Coulter 0-1, S Clarke 0-5, B McGourty, D
Coffey; B Ennis 1-1, P Braniff 0-1, P Coulter
1-0 Subs - K McGarry 0-2 for Coffey, R McGrattan
for C Coulter, M Ennis for G Clarke, C Woods
for McGarry, J Coyle 0-1 for Ennis.
