Gaelic Games

Offaly far from impressive despite seven-point win over London

Sluggish start in Tullamore will be a concern further on in qualifiers

Niall McNamee of Offaly kicks a point during the All-Ireland SFC Round 1B qualifier against London at O’Connor Park in Tullamore. Photograph: Tom Beary/Inpho
Niall McNamee of Offaly kicks a point during the All-Ireland SFC Round 1B qualifier against London at O’Connor Park in Tullamore. Photograph: Tom Beary/Inpho
Sat Jun 25 2016 - 17:28

Offaly 0-17 London 1-7

It was predictably easy for Offaly as they enjoyed a comfortable seven-point win over London in Tullamore on Saturday, although the winners won’t be getting carried away after a disjointed performance.

Offaly were especially poor in the opening 25 minutes as they struggled to get out of first gear and they trailed by 1-4 to 0-2 after 22 minutes with London’s goal coming from Patrick O’Hara in the 15th minute.

Playing into the wind in the first half, Offaly did improve late on and they were level at half-time, 0-7 to 1-4.

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In the second half, their victory was not in doubt as they controlled the game when they had to. Eight points on the trot put them 0-15 to 1-4 ahead before sub Eoin Mageean got London's first point since the 22nd minute with just eight minutes left. The visitors held their own late on but by that stage their cause was a lost one.

OFFALY: A Mulhall; B Darby, E Rigney, S Pender; N Darby (0-1), P Cunningham, J O'Connor; E Carroll, G Guilfoyle; A Sullivan (0-1), N McNamee (0-4), M Brazil; B Allen (0-3, two frees), N Dunne (0-7, four frees), J Moloney.

Subs: N Bracken (0-1) for Moloney (43 mins), J Gethings for Guilfoyle (53 mins), W Mulhall for McNamee (58 mins), J Lalor for B Darby (61 mins), K Garry for A Mulhall (64 mins), L Fox for Carroll (66 mins).

LONDON: G McEvoy; P Butler, C Carty, C Dunne; D Ryan, C Healy, D McGreevy; J Moran, L Gavaghan (0-1); A Moyles (0-1, free), M Gottsche (0-1, free), C Coyne; S Conroy (0-1, free), C Óg Greene, P O'Hara (1-1).

Subs: E Murray for Moran (48 mins), K Butler for Coyne (52 mins), C Dunne for Healy (61 mins), E Mageean (0-1) for Greene (61 mins), C O'Neill for Ryan (64 mins), D Molloy (0-1) for O'Hara (67 mins).

Referee: D Coldrick (Meath).