By Sean O’Reilly
Waterford 3-20; Offaly 0-12
This game proved to be an easy win for Waterford. They cruised to a comfortable victory over a depleted Offaly side, bringing two weekenders to New York for this game: county senior Ken McGrath and Seamus Prendergast.
While both contributed to the victory, their presence was not a crucial factor to this one sided contest. Waterford got off to a good start and led 1-4 to 0-1 after just seven minutes. The goal came from man of the match Roy Henley, with Prendergast, Owen Dunne and Ken McGrath providing the points. Offaly’s only reply came from a free from Dubliner David Henry.
Further scores for Waterford from Danny Sweeney (2), Henley (3) and Prendergast, kept the Munster men in control. Offaly were outclassed in almost every sector and with Henley running riot in attack, they trailed 3-13 to 0-6 at the interval.
Henley had his hat trick completed before the interval with two great strikes from close range. Four points from play from Ken McGrath left the Decies singing at the change over.
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Offaly’s only reply in the first half came from Tony Coughlan and a well executed David Henry free.
The second half was dire for Offaly as Waterford powered ahead. Mount Sion star McGrath and Limerick student Owen Dunne hitting scores at will from all angles. The Munster men will face sterner challenges ahead, Offaly will want to forget this overwhelming defeat.
Waterford; Ian Duggan, B. Stewart, P. Wickham, T. Holden, P. Russell, D. McCarthy, O. Dunne 0-4, J. Duggan, D. Sweeney 0-2, K McGrath 0-4, K. Dowling 0-1, S. Prendergast 0-3, R. Henley 3-3, Subs, B. Grant 0-2, J. Cooper 0-1.
Offaly; O. Murphy, M. Dolan, P. Leavey, P. Tracey, E. Condron, B. Delaney, D. Henry 0-6, B. Moran 0-3, T. Coughlan 0-2, D. Reynolds, K. Cleary, J. Hanlon, C. Scanlon. Subs: D. Leavy 0-1.