This was the perfect antidote for Offaly's senior woes of last weekend. On Saturday evening, All-Ireland under-21 winners Kilkenny arrived in Portlaoise and, after a game of endless spirit, Offaly drew the final blood.
Kilkenny could find no way around Offaly's defence. As Offaly built up a 0-6 to 0-1 lead, Kilkenny were struggling to get men within scoring distance.
One of their few breaks came before halftime when John Barron netted and left the scores 2-9 to 2-5 in favour of Offaly. Shortly into the second half, however, Paul Molloy pointed and then scored Offaly's third goal to leave them seven points clear.
A succession of points from Alan Barry, Barron and Kevin Power kept the contest tight, and although Kilkenny took the risk of introducing injured senior star Henry Shefflin towards the end, Offaly survived.
OFFALY: S O'Connor; D Moran, M O'Hara, JP O'Meara; D Franks, D Comerford (0-1), S Brown; A Hanrahan (0-1), D Tanner; P Molloy (1-2), C Gath (0-3), B Murphy (1-3); R Hannify (0-1), E McGuinness (1-1), D Murray (0-2, both frees). Subs: J Brady for Tanner (45 mins), D Carney for McGuinness (55), R McRedmond for Molloy (60).
KILKENNY: J Power; P Shefflin, N Hickey, M Kavanagh (0- 1); M Hoyne, A Cummins, C Herity; J P Corcoran (0-1), P Tennyson; K Moore, T Drennan (1-1), P O'Brien (0-1); A Barry (0-1), K Power (0-7, five frees), J Barron (1-2). Subs: B Phelan for Moore (19 mins), P Buggy for O'Brien (39), J Morgan for Drennan (48), H Shefflin for Barry (56).
Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath)
