Offaly under-21s trounce Carlow to reach Leinster final

Offaly 5-16 Carlow 1-13

Offaly’s under-21 hurlers were clearly the superior force as they defeated Carlow by a 15 point margin to qualify for a Leinster final meeting with Dublin, in this Bord Gáis provincial semi-final at Cullen Park on Thursday, before an attendance of 2,000.

The midland county showed greater physical strength than Carlow, demonstated commendable teamwork and their finish was of the highest order.

Carlow could not cope and, after a bright start, were undone in a two minute spell when Offaly struck for goals in the 18th and 20th minutes from left half back Cillian Kelly, operating in attack, and full forward Oisín Kelly, who availed of a breaking ball off the upright to put his side into five point lead (2-5 to 0-6)

By half time Carlow trailed by 2-8 to 0-10 and were still in the game, having been denied a couple of genuine goal chances by Offaly goalie Eoghan Cahill, who was in top form.

But Offaly took over early in the second half and an Emmet Nolan goal on 34 minutes had them 3-10 to 0-10 ahead as the superior hurling skills of the midlanders began to minifest itself.

Carlow did rally as the game was hit by a severe hailshower for Conor Foley to shoot a good goal in the 40th minute. The home side cut the leeway to five points but that was as good as it got for the Barrowsiders.

Offaly had the ability to open up the Carlow defence almost at will, creating overlaps which allowed them score late goals from Nolan and Kelly as the home defence was marked absent, to seal a final place, as they go in search of a first title in this grade since 2000 and their sixth in all.

On 50 minutes goalie Cahill had saved a Carlow penalty from Kevin McDonald while Carlow’s Conor Foley received a straight red card on 54 minutes.

Offaly: E Cahill; D Healy, D O'Toole-Greene, P Delaney; D Doughan, B Conneely, C Kiely (1-1); D Wyer (0-1), P Guinan; J O'Toole-Greene (0-1), E Nolan (2-2, 0-1 free), R Hughes (0-1); A Cleary, O Kelly (2-2), D Murray (0-8, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65). Subs: C Freeman for Wyer (40); L Langton for Kiely (injured) (58); E Parlon for Guinana (59); J P Cleary for Hughes (60); C Taylor for Delaney (62). Carlow: J Barron; P Coughlan, G Cody, M Malone; J Murphy, S Whelan, E Redmond; K McDonald (0-5, all frees), D Wall (0-2); J Doyle (0-4), D O'Neill, C Foley (1-1); T Joyce, J Kelly (0-1), L Galway. Subs: D Grennan for Galway (h/t); J Whelan for O'Neill (44); A Casey for Redmond (49); K Hosey for Kelly (60); L Cummins for Coughlan (61).

Referee: J Heffernan (Wexford).