Walsh Shield Final Replay - Offaly 3-23 Carlow 2-14:OFFALY BOSS Joe Dooley refused to comment directly on his side's dispute with the Offaly County Board last night.

“It’s important that we stay focussed because there is a lot of stuff going on,” Dooley said. “It’s important that we concentrate on our job, so for that reason we are keeping our heads down.”

A James Mulrooney goal provided the difference in the opening stages, with Offaly taking a 1-4 to 0-4 lead after 11 minutes.

Carlow edged ahead in the 23rd minute following a Craig Doyle goal but Offaly closed out the half to take a 1-12 to 1-10 interval lead.

Carlow breached the Offaly goalmouth for the second time in the 43rd minute through Doyle again, but Offaly sealed the issue with late goals coming via Joe Brady and Thomas Carroll.

OFFALY: J Dempsey; P Healion, D Kenny, S Egan; D Hayden (0-1), E Murphy, D Morkan; D Currams (0-3, 1 sl), C Mahon (0-1); S Dooley (0-9, 7f), G Healion (0-1), C Egan; B Carroll (0-4), J Bergin (0-3), J Mulrooney (1-1). Subs: C Parlon for P Healion (half-time); B Murphy (0-1) for Mahon (49); J Brady (1-0) for G Healion (53); T Carroll (1-1) for B Carroll (63); M Morkan for S Egan (68).

CARLOW: N Roberts; A Corcoran, J Rogers, D Shaw; E Coady, D Kavanagh, R Coady; D English, S Kavanagh (0-2, 1 65’, 1f); C Doyle (2-2), E Byrne (0-1), R Dunbar (0-7, 5f); D Roberts, P Kehoe (0-1), HP OByrne. Subs: P Coady for O’Byrne (21); B Doyle (0-1) for R Coady (27); J OHara for English (40); M Brennan (0-1) for D Roberts (51); A Brennan for Kehoe (55).

Referee: S Cleere (Kilkenny).