Gaelic Games

Dublin eventually see off spirited Offaly to capture U21 title

The Dubs had to fight hard in Tullamore but eventually won their sixth Leinster title

Sean Treacy of Dublin scores his side’s second goal with his foot despite the attempts of Cathal O’Brien of Offaly during the Bord Gáis Energy Leinster GAA Hurling U21 Championship Final match between Offaly and Dublin at O’Connor Park in Tullamore. Photo: Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Wed Jul 06 2016 - 21:23

Offaly 1-10 Dublin 2-15

Dublin secured their sixth Leinster under-21 title at Offaly’s expense tonight, their fourth in ten years, after they overwhelmed Offaly in the second half of a keenly-contested battle at O’Connor Park in Tullamore.

A sixteen year drought in the Faithful County meant that 4,709 spectators paid in to see the contest and home supporters had plenty to shout about in the early stages as Offaly threw themselves into the contest without fear. Paddy Delaney and Ben Conneely, both graduates of their 2015 minor team, helped to keep Dublin without a score from play for 28 minutes while at the other end of the field, Oisín Kelly’s goal from a penalty after twelve minutes further helped to build their self-confidence.

A 1-6 to 0-5 interval lead looked significant, if still some way short of commanding, however Dublin wiped it out completely within 90 seconds of the game’s restart. Andrew Jamieson-Murphy struck the first of four second half points from play after just 13 seconds, taking advantage of the type of space that Dublin didn’t seem to be able to create in the first half, while Seán Treacy slammed home the first of his two second half goals shortly afterwards.

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Forwards Emmet Nolan and Oísin Kelly came into this tie with a high reputation and they caused Dublin plenty of problems as a two man inside forward line throughout this game. They each earned frees that were converted by Dylan Murray to put Offaly two up again, however a simple catch and kick finish from Treacy gave Dublin their first lead of the game with twenty minutes to play and from then on, all the momentum was with the metropolitans.

The introduction of Cian Boland helped them win plenty more breaking ball around the middle third, Cian Mac Gabhann took control of the centre back berth and Jake Malone burst forward to great effect for Dublin as they gradually took control of the tie, and while a series of wides prevented them from really burning off the Offaly challenge – they racked up 12 in all – four points in a row in a five minute spell at the start of the final quarter gave them plenty of cushion.

OFFALY: E Cahill; C Doughan, D O'Toole-Greene, P Delaney; D Healy, B Conneely, D Doughan; D Wyer, P Guinan; J O'Toole-Greene (0-1), D Murray (0-5, 0-4f), R Hughes; A Cleary, E Nolan (0-3), O Kelly (1-0, pen). Subs: C O'Brien for Healy (19), C Freeman for Cleary (44), JP Cleary for Hughes (51), L Langton (0-1) for Wyer (53), E Parlon for Guinan (60+2)

DUBLIN: J Treacy; J Madden, E O'Donnell, C Hendricken; S Barrett, C Mac Gabhann (0-1), J Bellew; J Malone (0-2), M McCallion; A Jamieson-Murphy (0-4), R McBride (0-1), E Conroy; S Treacy (2-2, 0-1f, 0-1 '65), S O'Riain (0-1), C Bennett (0-4, 0-3f, 0-1 '65). Subs: C Boland for McCallion (23), C O'Neill for Bennett (44), P O'Dea for Hendricken (51), F Ó'Ríain Broin for Malone (55), E McHugh for Conroy (57)

Referee: Alfie Devine (Westmeath).