O'Reilly pounces

Tullamore ... 1-8 Gracefield ... 0-8A scrambled goal by Brian O'Reilly two minutes into the second half decided yesterday's Offaly senior football championship final in which Tullamore captured the title for the second time in three years by defeating Gracefield by 1-8 to 0-8 in Tullamore.

The game attracted an attendance of almost 6,000 but proved a big disappointment as it was more physical than skilful, with five players being booked in the second half by referee John O'Reilly.

Tullamore, who claimed the title for the 25th time, played the more direct brand of football, as Gracefield repeatedly tried short-passing movements which invariably broke down in front of goal. Their forwards were also guilty of erratic finishing both from play and from frees.

Tullamore led at half-time by double scores - 0-6 to 0-3 - and O'Reilly's goal on the resumption gave them a cushion which was never seriously threatened despite the fact the Portarlington side outscored them for the remainder of the game.

Cathal Daly, until forced to retire injured, John Kenny and PJ Martin backboned an uncompromising Tullamore defence, while others who contributed to this silver jubilee triumph were Phil O'Reilly, substitute Kevin Martin, Brian O'Reilly and man-of-the-match award winner, Paul Rouse.

Gracefield, who battled to the final whistle, had their key players in Karol Slattery, Brian Smith, John O'Neill and Bobby Fitzpatrick.

SCORERS: Tullamore: P Rouse 0-3, B O'Reilly 1-0. B Fagan, J Rouse, 0-2 each. P Kelly 0-1; Gracefield: J O'Neill 0-5, B Fitzpatrick 0-2, K McEvoy 0-1.