N.Y. GAA Offaly late show stuns Roscommon

By Pierce O’Reilly

Offaly 2-12, Roscommon 2-8

Early arrivers Offaly sprung late to stun a new look Roscommon outfit that looked certain to gain their first two points with 15 minutes to play Sunday at Gaelic Park.

Roscommon had played a fast, open brand of football for 50 minutes and then napped when it was time to lock the door. Offaly, on the other hand, awoke from their first-half slumber just in time to steal victory.

This competitive senior "B" clash was full of excitement. Roscommon sprinted into a 6-point lead with excellent points from Johnny McFadden and Rory Melaugh. Then, with 10 minutes played, they were awarded a penalty after Richie Maher was dragged down in the small square. Melaugh rifled his shot to the top corner and the Connaught men were dominating in every sector. Leo Shiels and Tim Coakley were productive around the middle, while McFadden and Maher were always out in front in attack.

Offaly, to their credit, is a team that never lies down. On Sunday it would have been easy to buckle. However, with Danny Leavy playing one of his best games ever at full forward, they had a gem of a target man up front. Leavy’s experience in the opening half kept his side alive when the tide was against them. Beside him in attack, the deadly accurate Dave Reynolds punished every error in the Roscommon defense. When Mark Kelly was sent for an early shower Roscommon lost their advantage.

As the half wore on, Reynolds gradually reeled in the opposition, and when the sides parted at the interval, only three points separated them, 1-05 to 0-5.

Offaly were a transformed side in the second half and with Leavy continuing to burrow like a beaver the Midlanders gradually took control. Corner forward Brendan Moran and midfielder John Higgins hit two great points, while Brendan Lynch also got in on the act. Roscommon were stunned by the early rally and looked to weekender Leo Sheils for inspiration. The Strokestown native responded in style, and when he put Maher through on goal the net was soon bulging. Maher flicked the ball across the goal to in running Sean O’Reilly and the Mayo man made no mistake in batting the ball to the back of the Offaly net. Roscommon were once again three points to the good. Amazingly, from the kickout Offaly responded with a stunning and stinging reply. Man of the match Leavy collected the ball from the break and, after driving through the defense, he unleashed a pile driver to the roof of the Roscommon net that shocked even him. It was a magnificent goal that came against the run of play.

The sides were once again level with 10 minutes to play. Offaly dominated the final minutes and points from Reynolds and another goal from Brendan Moran gave them a four point winning margin. Offaly were much more organized on this occasion. Playing without weekenders or students they can only improve. Roscommon’s season will soon be over especially if they lose again.

Offaly: Ciaran Farrelly, Warren Beatty, Sean Nolan, Pat Leavy, Mike Dolan, James Mitchell, Mark Dolan, John Higgins 0-1, Colm Scanlon, Pat Tracey, Enda Condron, Nigel Carney, Dave Reynolds 0-9, Danny Leavy 1-0, Brendan Moran 1-1. B. Lynch 0-1 for Mitchell (inj.)

Roscommon: Mike Deere, Mark Kelly, Joe Naughton, Declan O’Rourke, Declan Coyne, Padraig Mulally, Noel Foley, Tim Coakley, Leo Sheils, Johnny McFadden 0-3, Mark Moyihan, Rory Melaugh 1-4, Sean O’Reilly 1-0, Richie Maher, Aidan Smith 0-1.