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Offaly cruise to victory

Offaly cruised to a convincing victory over Dublin with a 20point margin at St Brendan's Park, Birr

Mon Apr 23 2001 - 01:00

Offaly cruised to a convincing victory over Dublin with a 20point margin at St Brendan's Park, Birr. While Offaly would have been strong favourites before the start, one might have not envisaged the large tally Offaly would win by.

The home side led by 2-12 to 03 at half-time and at that stage the game was beyond Dublin. The Offaly forward line, spearheaded by Johnny Dooley and Rory Hanniffy, were in free-flowing mood. Offaly helped themselves to a brace of goals in the first half netted by Dooley and Hanniffy.

Dublin were forced to make switches at half-time. They brought on David Henry for Thomas McGrane and Emmet Carroll for Damien Russell, the aim of which was to get things moving in their forward line. Offaly also made changes.

The Offaly forwards scored a tally of 2-16 with Dooley scoring

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1-6, along with Simon Whelahan, who scored 0-3, Rory Hanniffy 11 and Gary Hanniffy 0-3.

Dublin didn't help themselves at the start of the second half when they had their corner-back, Darren Benham, sent off for a strong pull across Simon Whelahan.

Down to 14 men, it was always going to be difficult for the visitors. Offaly continued to pick off scores at their ease with points late on in the second half by Gary Hanniffy and substitutes Conor Gath and Adrian Hanrahan as they carved out a convincing victory.

Offaly: B Mullins; H Rigney, K Kinahan, C Cassidy; J Brady, J Errity (0-1), A Mannion; B Whelahan, J Pilkington (0-2); J Dooley (1-6), G Hanniffy (0-3), G Oakley (0-2); R Hanniffy (1-1), J Troy (0-1), S Whelahan (0-3). Subs: A Hanrahan (0-1) for Pilkington; W Comerford for Brady; D Murray for R Hanniffy (all half-time); P Molloy for Troy; C Gath (0-2) for J Dooley.

Dublin: D Maguire; C Meehan, J Cullen, D Benham; S Perkins, S Martin, D Spain; D Sweeney, T Moore; C Ring, L Ryan (0-2), K Flynn (0-5); T McGrane, D Russell, D Donnelly. Subs: D Henry for McGrane, E Carroll (0-1) for D Russell (both 35 mins); F McDonnell for C Ring (half-time); R Breen for D Donnelly (48 mins); A Reilly for T Moore (57 mins).

Referee: P Neary (Kilkenny).