February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Pierce O’Reilly
Rangers 0-11, Offaly 2-6
The final fling at Gaelic Park on Sunday produced pulsating football. The top two in the senior "B" division went toe to toe for the entire hour and no inch was asked for or given in that period.
After a low-scoring first half, Offaly went in leading 1-2 to 0-3, the goal coming with just four minutes played from Pa Treacy, who drove the ball under goalkeeper John Williams for an opportunist goal. Treacy had received the ball on the edge of the small square from Colm Scanlon, driving a low shot to the back of the net. Rangers replied with scores from full forward Mike Rennicks and wing forward Dave Reagan.
The best score of the game arrived five minutes later from the boot of Liam Og O’hEineachain, who sent over a point 40 yards out along the right wing. Offaly’s other two scores of the half came from Ciaran McManus, who dominated at midfield. The stakes were high in this game and both sides were eager to steal an early advantage. This resulted in some physical exchanges and lots of terrible shooting and passing.
The second half produced much more exciting fare. Ciaran McManus came more into the game at midfield and created several scoring opportunities for his forwards. Goal-poacher Treacy registered Offaly’s first score in the second half after a good move involving five players. The potential score, however, was squandered by Dave Regan, who shot over from close range.
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The deadly accurate Kevin O’ Cearruil registered his first score a minute later after he rounded his marker with burning pace and drove over.
Weekender Ciaran McManus was involved in every attack from here to the finish. The second goal arrived for Offaly after his weak effort for a point was flicked to the net by corner forward Brendan Moran. Moran added another point to put Offaly on top 2-6 to 0-5 with 10 minutes to play.
Rangers did manage to reply with two scores in quick succession from midfielder Rory Hussey and Dave Phelan. However, their late rally failed to reel in the Midlanders. Rory Hussey and Dublin Under-21 star Og O’hEineachain were on top at this stage and points from Brian McGrath and Dave Regan (2) narrowed the gap. The scores arrived too late.
Rangers: J. Williams, M. McHugh, N. Keane, T. Birmingham, B. McGrath 0-1, M. Byrne, F. O’ Shea, R. Hussey 0-2, M. Bishop, L. Og O’hEineachain 0-1, D. Phelan 0-1, D. Reagan 0-4, M. Sheridan, M. Rennicks 0-1, K. O Cearruil 0-1.
Offaly: K. Farrelly, M. Dolan, S. Nolan, P. Leaavy, D. Henry, J. Mitchell, M. Dolan, C. McManus 0-4, C. Scanlon, N. Coughlan, E. Condron, N. Carney, P. Treacy 1-0, D. Leavy, B. Moran 1-2.