Sport

Offaly's young guns go for it

Offaly manager Pat Fleury will be pleased with the performance of his newcomers in the team's comfortable victory over Antrim…

Mon Feb 28 2000 - 00:00

Offaly manager Pat Fleury will be pleased with the performance of his newcomers in the team's comfortable victory over Antrim at Banagher yesterday. The match had been switched from Birr because of a waterlogged pitch.

The home side took control in the early stages and never really relinquished their grip, although a couple of late Antrim goals brought respectability to the final score.

Fringe players on both panels were also given a chance because of the absence of some of the regulars from Cushendall and Birr.

One of the most impressive for Offaly was Lusmagh's Aidan Hanrahan, who scored three good points. Colm Cassidy, Darragh Kelly and Aidan Mannion also made an impact for Offaly. Team captain Johnny Dooley was in inspirational form in the middle of the field and Kevin Kinahan and Michael Duignan were also impressive.

READ MORE

Owen Colgan hurled well at full back for Antrim, but Gregory O'Kane stood out in attack, as he was the only one of their six starting forwards to score from play.

In contrast, all six Offaly forwards found the target from play. The home side were leading 0-8 to 0-2 after 20 minutes when John Ryan followed up a parried John Troy shot to finish to the net.

Three Gregory O'Kane points from frees brought the lead back to 1-10 to 0-6 at half-time, but after only 21 seconds of the second half Conor Gath took a pass from Duignan and drilled the ball to the net.

Offaly stretched their lead to 14 points when Duignan found the net with 16 minutes left after a Gath shot had rebounded off the crossbar.

Offaly then eased up and Antrim substitutes John McIntosh and Rory McQuillan scored late goals.

Offaly: S Byrne; M O'Hara, K Kinahan, C Cassidy; A Mannion, H Rigney, D Kelly; Johnny Dooley (0-7), D Kealey; G Hanniffy (0-2), J Ryan (1-1), A Hanrahan (0-3); C Gath (1-1), J Troy (0- 1), M Duignan (1-0). Subs: N Claffey for Cassidy; K Farrell for Troy; D Franks for Kealey; S Whelahan for Ryan.

Antrim: R Matthews; E O'Hara, O Colgan, S Bailie; M Molloy, Gary O'Kane, K Kelly; C Magee (0-1), C Gunning; C McCambridge (0-1), J Connolly, C Hamill; S Kelly, G O'Kane (0-8), B McFall. Subs: J McIntosh (1-1) for Hamill; R Donnelly for Gunning; J Flynn for Sean Kelly; R McQuillan (1-0) for Connolly.

Referee: P Moore (Waterford).