Gaelic Games

Burke’s introduction helps Dublin over the line

Metropolitans through to Walsh Cup final after overcoming gutsy Offaly challenge

Rian McBride scores a goal for Dublin against Offaly in the Walsh Cup tie at St Brendan’s Park, Birr. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho

Sun Jan 23 2022 - 17:56

Dublin 2-23 Offaly 1-20

Dublin found their rhythm in the second half to make it three Walsh Cup wins out of three in Birr on Sunday afternoon.

They were pushed hard for most of the way by an improving Offaly side but with subs coming on to make a difference, their edge in physicality became telling and they pulled clear for a deserved win.

Offaly led by 1-13 to 1-9 at half time after a very encouraging first half display. With the wind on their backs, their confidence grew as the half wore on and they took the game to the favourites.

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Offaly would have been further ahead but Eoghan Cahill was wide from a sixth minute penalty – John Murphy had finished to the net but was fouled in the process and the referee didn't allow the advantage to run. He did show a black card to James Madden for the foul.

Fergal Whitely got all three points as Dublin led by 0-3 to 0-1 after eight minutes. Offaly responded well and a Brian Duignan goal helped them to a 1-4 to 0-3 lead in the 16th minute.

Dublin hit back two minutes later with a Ronan Hayes goal, Rian McBride levelled it up and the sides were tied three more times before Offaly finished powerfully. Four points gave them a good lead and they had a good chance.

Dublin got on top all over the field in the second half, though it was only in the closing five minutes that they put the issue beyond doubt.

A well-taken Rian McBride goal in the 43rd minute put them 2-13 to 1-14 ahead. Offaly dug deep and there was only a point in it on three different occasions. Donal Burke was brilliant off the bench for Dublin, scoring seven second -half points, three of them from play, and he helped drive them across the line.

Dublin led by 2-17 to 1-18 with ten minutes left but got six of the closing eight points to book a Walsh Cup final against Wexford.

DUBLIN: A Nolan; C O'Callaghan, E O'Donnell, J Bellew; D Gray (0-1), J Madden, S Moran (0-1, free); C Burke, D Keogh (0-1); F Whitley (0-4), R McBride (1-1), C O'Sullivan (0-2); E Dillon, D Sutcliffe (0-2), R Hayes (1-2, 0-1 free, 1 65). Subs: A Dunphy for Madden (40m), D Burke (0-7, 3 frees, 1 65) for Dillon (42m), C Crummy (0-1) for Keogh (45m), K Burke for O'Callaghan (48m), P Crummy for O'Sullivan (51m), A Considine for Hayes (54m), S Currie (0-1) for Whitley (58m), C Hayes for Moran (61m), J Hetterton for Sutcliffe (64m), L Walsh for Gray (70m).

OFFALY: C Clancy; P Delaney, J Keenaghan, D King; J Screeney, B Conneely, K Sampson; L Fox, R Ravenhill; E Cahill (0-11, 9 frees), E Kelly, A Cleary (0-3); J Murphy (0-2), J Sampson (0-1), B Duignan (1-0). Subs: C Molloy for Delaney, inj. (2m), L O'Connor (0-1) for Duignan (45m), D Nally (0-2, 2f) for Cleary (58m)E Parlon for Kelly (59m), M Watkins for Screeney (66m), C Butler for Cahill (66m).

Referee - C Flynn (Westmeath).

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