Offaly defeat senior hurlers by 12 points

OFFALY 2-25 DUBLIN 2-13

Dublin concluding their All-Ireland SHC qualifier series of games in disappointing fashion in O'Connor Park, Tullamore on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides were without their U21 contingent ahead of Wedneday night's Leinster final in Parnell Park but Offaly hurling with a lot more conviction, economy and understanding to waltz to a 12-point victory.

With Brendan Carroll showed great opportunism at corner-forward Offaly held onto a narrow advantage for the opening half which for the most part was more challenge match than championship in its intensity.

With the last action of the opening half Carroll hit the only goal of the opening half when he rifled to the top corner of Alan Nolan's net following a clever bat down from Gary Hanniffy to lead 1-10 to 0-9 at the interval.

However, in the opening eight minutes of the second half Offaly ended Dublin's hopes of victory with midfielder Brendan Murphy, the Hanniffy brothers Rory and Gary stepping up their game to leave the Dubs in their wake.

During this period the Faithful County added five unanswered points to their tally while the defensive game was a lot more astute than Dublin's.

With 15 minutes remaining Offaly had moved 1-21 to 0-11 clear before Sean O'Connor hit Dublin's first goal, it had the suspicion of square ball about it as John Kelly swept the ball across the face of goal from close range from where the Jude's man added the finish.

Any hopes of a Dublin rallied were quickly nipped in the bud when Michael Coridial fired to the net at the end of a clinical move that totally carved open Dublin's backline.

A Liam Ryan kicked goal reduced the margin but it was all elementary at that stage.

SCORERS - Offaly: B Carroll 1-8, D Murray 0-5 (4f), M Cordial 1-2, E Bevans (1 sideline), B Murphy 0-3 each, B Teehan, K Brady (f), G Hanniffy, R Hanniffy 0-1 each. Dublin: D Curtin 0-6 (6f), L Ryan 1-2, S O'Connor 1-0, G Bennett 0-2, M Carton, D Qualter, R Donnelly 0-1 each.
OFFALY - B Mullins; B O'Meara, G Oakley, D Franks; K Brady, C Horan, J Rigney; B Teehan, B Murphy; E Bevans, R Hanniffy, M Cordial; B Carroll, G Hanniffy, D Murray. Subs: K Kelly for G Hanniffy (58), M Verney for Horan (60), S O'Connor for Mullins (62), T Corcoran for Franks (65), C Slevin for Murray (69).
DUBLIN - A Nolan; P Brennan, S Hiney, R Reid; D O'Reilly, R Fallon, K Ryan; M Carton, G Bennett; S Mullen, D Qualter, D Curtin; J Kelly, L Ryan, K Flynn. Subs: G O'Meara for Reid (40), S O'Connor for K Ryan (40), C Billings for Bennett (52), R Donnelly for O'Reilly (58).
REF - J Owens (Wexford).