This Oireachtas game in Birr between Offaly and Carlow proved to be a total mis-match, for although the home side fielded a weakened team which contained only four regulars, they completely overwhelmed their opponents in running out easy winners by a 22-point margin.
The victory gave new Offaly manager Michael `Babs' Keating a winning start.
Offaly: S Byrne; D Dooley, K Kinahan, D Franks; J Coakley, H Rigney, J Doughan; N Murphy 0-1, M Hand; E Martin 0-13, P Mulhare, A Mannion 2-1; N Hand, J Ryan 1-2, B Dooley 0-1. Sub: K Kealey 0-3 for N Hand.
Carlow: A Corcoran; J Leamy, T Doyle 0- 1, F Byrne; K Griffith 0-1, C Kealy, M Kelly; D Kavanagh 0-1, M Ryan; D Byrne 0-1, P Coady 0-3, T Shields 0-1; C Coady, M Farrell, D Wall. Sub: T Meanly for Ryan.
Referee: J McDonnell (Tipperary).
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