4 days ago
Offaly prove too strong for New York in Tailteann clash
Last year's horrific defeat at the hands of London had Offaly on high alert for the visit of another team of exiles when New York came to Tullamore for a very one-sided Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final on Saturday.
The home side clearly took the bitter lessons of last year on board as they recovered from an uncertain opening quarter to romp to a very comprehensive and convincing win.
It was a dispiriting afternoon for New York who arrived into Tullamore on Thursday and were clearly determined to make their mark and take a noteworthy scalp. It looked like they could make a game of it for a while when playing into the wind in the first half but it all unravelled for them in the second quarter as the game slipped beyond their reach.
Offaly took a while to find the range but a 1-14 to 0-02 lead had them in a very strong position at the break after playing with a stiff wind.
Home supporters were getting worried early on as Offaly kicked four wides in the first six minutes and found themselves 0-02 to 0-01 down after nine minutes with points from Kieran Murphy and Frank O'Reilly (free) edging New York in front.
New York not only failed to score again in the half but scarcely threatened the posts as Offaly turned over a huge volume of ball. A Dylan Hyland two-pointer edged Offaly in front in the 10th minute and they were 0-06 to 0-02 ahead at the quarter way stage.
Offaly found another gear in the second quarter. Jordan Hayes got a spectacular two-pointer and Dylan Hyland got their third of the half from a free to put them 0-14 to 0-2 clear after 31 minutes. The outstanding Hyland then got a fortunate goal in the 33rd minute. His fisted attempt at a point dropped short and looked to be falling harmlessly into the net but it hit the post and he toed the break to the net for a very big half-time lead.
Offaly killed the game off very professionally in the second half, dictating the pace of play for most of the early exchanges. Keith O'Neill and Shane Tierney extended Offaly's advantage before Bobby O'Regan ended a long scoreless streak from the ninth minute with a 43rd-minute free.
By the 55th minute, Offaly led by 2-20 to 0-05 as Ruari McNamee kicked 1-02 off the bench in the space of seven minutes. New York to their credit fought hard for their pride and gave their supporters something to cheer about with 1-06 without reply between the 57th and 63rd minutes. Frank O'Reilly got them going with a two-point free and Bobby O'Regan blasted home a sensational 59th-minute goal as New York reduced the gap to 2-20 to 1-11.
They could have been closer as Paddy Dunican saved very well from Killian Butler and Eoghan McElliott hit the crossbar with a powerful shot. Goals wouldn't have saved New York at this stage and as it was man of the match, Dylan Hyland halted a growing Offaly rot late on, firing over five late points, three from play and a two-point free.
Offaly: Paddy Dunican; Lee Pearson, David Dempsey, Daire McDaid; Aidan Bracken, John Furlong, Cormac Egan (0-1); Jack McEvoy, Jordan Hayes (0-4, 1 x 2p); Kyle Higgins (0-1), Cathal Flynn, Cillian Bourke (0-2); Keith O'Neill (0-2), Jack Bryant, Dylan Hyland 1-12, 2 2p f, 1f, 1 2p
Subs: Shane Tierney (0-1) for Bryant (HT), Ruari McNamee (1-2) for Bourke (46m), Rory Egan for Egan (50m), Robbie Gallagher for O'Neill (52m), Aaron Leavy for Higgins (52m)
New York: Joey Grace; Cian O'Dea, Sean Wilson, Shane Bolger; Bill Maher, Rob Wharton, Jack McKenna; Kieran Murphy (0-1), Gavin O'Brien; Shane Brosnan, Eoghan McElliott, Morgan Garry; Frank O'Reilly (0-3, 1 2pf and 1f), Bobby O'Regan (1-4, 2f), Jack Robinson (0-2)
