Offaly Prove too Strong for Sligo in Tullamore

Offaly displayed a sign of intent for their Allianz League Division Three campaign, defeating Sligo on a scoreline of 1-17 to 13 points.

First Half Flurry

The Faithful county, inspired by Keith O’Neill, started brightly as the Clonbulloge club man pointed twice to give his side a two point lead in the early stages on a slippy surface in Tullamore. Cheered on by a modest crowd in Tullamore, Offaly allowed Sligo to gain a foothold in the game, seeing the sides tied at three a piece approaching the 20 minute mark.

Alan McLoughlin’s score was swiftly followed by a superb swing of the left boot from Dylan Hyland, before the dogged Ruairi McNamee added another for Mickey Harte’s and Declan Kelly’s side. Offaly failed to build on their momentum at this stage, contributing to the growing frustration of the Offaly support.

Sligo proceeded to kick five points unanswered, thanks to two scores from Patrick O’Connor and one each from Alan McLoughlin, Alan Reilly and Eoghan Smith. Keith O’Neill split the posts just before the referee’s whistle meaning Tony McEntee’s men went down the tunnel with a two point lead on a scoreline of 0-9 to 0-7

Ferocious Faithful Emerge Determined for the Second Half

Offaly emerged from the dressing rooms first for the second half, displaying their intent for the battle ahead. Goalkeeper, Paddy Dunican, kicked the first score of the half, the Shamrocks man proved a thorn in the side of the Sligo defence, as his runs from deep created space for the likes of Cathal Flynn, Jordan Hayes and the aforementioned McNamee to exploit.

Dunican proved instrumental in splitting open the Sligo back line as his pass into Jack Bryant, who took a heavy hit in the process, saw the goal gape for Rhode man McNamee, an easier goal he won’t get. Bryant was replaced by Shane Tierney who immediately got his name on the scoresheet before another point of the boot of Hyland. 1-13 to 9 as the clock ticked for 60′.

Sligo’s first score of the second half came from O’Connor, the Kilmacud Crokes man kicking his fourth and final point of the day. Niall Murphy came off the bench and raised the only orange flag of the day, a superb effort under pressure from just outside the arc.

The race was ran at this stage as Rory Egan and Dylan Hyland kicking points either side of another Niall Murphy point, with Offaly running triumphing on a scoreline of 1-17 to 13 points