Sport

Murray settles Offaly nerves

National Hurling League: An improved second-half performance helped Offaly to a 2-18 to 0-11 victory over Derry in Division …

Mon Feb 21 2005 - 00:00

National Hurling League: An improved second-half performance helped Offaly to a 2-18 to 0-11 victory over Derry in Division Two B at St Brendan's Park, Birr, yesterday.

Offaly played with the wind in the first-half but hit nine wides on the way to a 0-9 to 0-4 interval lead.

When Derry scored three points in the first four minutes of the second half, Offaly's looked to be in trouble.

But their nerves were settled when Damian Murray found the Derry net twice in two minutes. Murray, Stephen Brown and Brian Carroll then added points to give Offaly a 2-14 to 0-7 lead.

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Derry substitute John O'Dwyer received a straight red card late in the game.

In the same division, Westmeath enjoyed a 3-15 to 1-5 win over Kildare.

Kildare got off to the best possible start with a goal from Adrian McAndrew, but by the 12th minute Westmeath were level through scores from Emmet Dalton, Enda O'Loughlin and Brendan Murtagh.

Westmeath had to come from behind again after Kildare's Tom Carew restored the advantage, but they never lost the lead after midfielder Andrew Mitchell converted a penalty eight minutes before the break.

Another goal from Killian Cosgrove was followed by points from Mitchell and Murtagh gave them a 2-7 to 1-3 at half-time lead.

Derek McNicholas secured Westmeath's third goal in the 42nd minute.

London's hurlers opened their Division Two B campaign with a 0-14 to 1-8 win over Meath at Páirc Tailteann.

Dave Bourke was the visitors' hero, sending over nine pointed frees, seven of which came in the opening period, giving London a 0-9 to 0-1 lead after 33 minutes.

Meath had Sean Reilly sent off in the first half.

Carlow enjoyed a 2-11 to 1-11 win over Kerry at Dr Cullen Park. In a tight contest, their breakthrough came in the 60th minute when full forward Robert Foley crashed a ground shot to the Kerry net to put his side 2-10 to 1-9 in front.

Nine players, five from Carlow and four from Kerry, received yellow cards.

And a stoppage-time equaliser by full forward John Keogh saved Wicklow's blushes as they drew 1-15 to 2-12 with Sligo at Markievicz Park.