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Offaly hurlers hold on for 1st triumph of ’04

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

The Faithful came into this match at 0-2 and could ill afford to lose to their 1-1 opponents. Westmeath were hoping to borrow some momentum from the home county, who beat Laois Saturday at Croke Park for their first-ever Leinster football final title.
Offaly were on the board first with two pointed frees from their 60-day dual star, Shane Cunningham. Westmeath struck right back with two points from Paul Elward, one of two Kilkenny men in town for this match.
Offaly missed a chance to forge ahead when Collie Reilly robbed Cunningham on a penalty try. Shortly thereafter, Westmeath center back James Moran picked up a first yellow card for a dangerous tackle.
With Offaly leading by 0-5 to 0-3, Moran swung his hurl across Fergal Phelan’s legs, sparking a mini brawl and leaving referee Fergus Daly no option but to issue a second yellow card, then a red to Moran.
Westmeath came flying back after the delay, getting an outstanding point from their other weekender, Michael Murphy. But Offaly were quick to answer, notching the final two scores of the half with Sean Nolan and Fergal Phelan firing over the lathe.
Down a man to start the second half, Westmeath opened brightly. Alan Barry pointed after only 20 seconds and Murphy, their best forward on the day, followed with a pointed free.
Westmeath were buzzing while Offaly slumped. Sean Nolan made a great catch and pass to Cunningham and the big center forward drove over a fine point to restore Offaly to a 0-2 lead.
Wing forward Colin Dunne should have extended the Offaly advantage by 0-3, but was badly off target on his goal try. After the sides traded points, Offaly got a huge break when wingback Adrian Guinan’s 50-yard shot snuck under the crossbar, staking Offaly to a 1-10 to 0-8 lead.
Westmeath came right back with two points from Murphy frees to trail by just 0-4. Mike Dolan pointed for Offaly, but then Westmeath got a break with a remarkably similar goal to Guinan’s.
Midfielder Kevin Downs floated a harmless-looking long ball into the Offaly square, and to everyone’s surprise the slithoar ended up in the net. Now there were just two points between the sides and eight minutes to play.
With the game on the line, Offaly kept their cool and secured the victory, while Westmeath lost theirs when Collie Reilly drew a straight red card for striking with the hurl. A late goal from Damien Culleton set the final scoreline at 2-15 to 1-10 in Offaly’s favor and drew the teams level in the standings at 1-1.
Man of the Match: Adrian Guinan
Offaly: Alan Gleason, Mike Dolan (0-2), Seamus Spain, Mark Yates, Darren Kavanagh, Adrian Guinan (1-0), Enda Condren, Sean Nolan (0-1), Leon Donegan, Shane Cunnigham (0-9, 5 frees), Colin Dunne, Damien Cullerton (1-1), Fergal Phelan (0-2). Sub: John Hanlon.
Westmeath: Dermot Kelly, Peter Dalton, Barry Smyth, Collie Reilly, James Moran, Shane Fitzpatrick, Paul Elward (0-2), Kevin Downs (1-1), Jamie Stokes, Ronan Potts, Alan Barry (0-1), Lorcan Coll, Michael Murphy (0-6, 5 frees). Sub: Brendan Kirby.

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