February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Pierce O’Reilly
Offaly 1-11, Monaghan 1-7
Offaly started their season where they left off last year and recorded well-deserved win over relegated Monaghan in the final game at Gaelic Park on Sunday.
Offaly, who were unorganized at the start of the game with several players arriving late, were nevertheless the fitter team from the start, and with Brendan Moran inflicting the killer blows upfront, they always held the advantage. Monaghan, who were relegated from the top league last season, have lost a number of key players and their inability to replace them over the winter has left the Ulster men struggling.
As in the past, the senior "B" encounters once again was much more entertaining and competitive than it is senior "A" equivalent. The exchanges were close and intense in the opening half with both sides eager to dominate. Monaghan hit the opening score at five minutes with David Ballantine pointing from close range. Offaly were quick to reply and notched three points in the next 10 minutes. Brendan Lynch was their main target man in front of goal. When Brendan Moran hit the net for an Offaly goal, Monaghan were left reeling. Moran latched onto an excellent pass from Scanlon, and with only the keeper to beat, he drove a pile driver to the back of the net. That left the Midlanders with the initiative approaching the interval. Monaghan, with their defense settling and O’Sullivan improving around the middle, finally found their rhythm, and when Sean Carton weaved his way past the Offaly defense for a great goal, there was once again only one point between the sides.
The second half produced some fine attacking football, with both sets of forwards enjoying the advantage. Offaly were first to strike, and with Lynch, Nigel Kearney and center back James Mitchell driving over points, they had a healthy four-point advantage. Substitute Paul McGlynn and wing back Louis Breslin did manage to narrow the gap, but with Nolan, Scanlon, Reynolds and Co. firing on all cylinders, their revival didn’t last long. Offaly looked constructive and fit, yet it was surprising to see some of their players arrive late for a 5 p.m. game.
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Offaly: Kieran Farrelly, Warren Beatty, Sean Nolan, Pat Leavey, Mike Dolan, James Mitchell, Mark Dolan, Johnny Higgins, Colm Scanlon, Pa Tracey, Enda Condron, Nigel Kearney, Danny Leavey, Brendan Lynch, Brendan Moran.
Monaghan: J. Sullivan, B. Dwyer, M. Traynor, G. Birdy, L. Breslin, G. Duffy, R. O’Neill, H. O’Sullivan, D. Scott, B. McKenna, P. Rush, D. Ballantine, D. Swift, S. Carton.