Ryan goal proves decisive

Leinster Under-21 FC Quarter-finals/Offaly 1-8 Longford 0-6:In a game of mixed quality played under difficult conditions in Tullamore yesterday, Offaly advanced to the semi-final of the Leinster under-21 championship by deservedly beating Longford.

The standard of football in the opening 30 minutes was incredibly scrappy, with the passing by both sides totally inaccurate and the shooting of the respective attacks way off target.

Offaly appeared to be in deep trouble at half-time, for having enjoyed wind advantage they trailed by double scores - 0-4 to 0-2 - at the break. However, they improved considerably on the change of ends, and by midway through the second half they had turned their two-point deficit into a six-point lead.

The decisive score came in the 38th minute when a splendid passing movement involving Paul McConway, Niall Darby and Alan Lynam was brought to fruition by Seán Ryan's rocket leaving Killian Burns in the Longford goal helpless.

That goal sealed victory for the home side, but Longford were unfortunate to lose both midfielder Bernard McElvaney and corner back Shane Cox through injury in the first half.

Offaly now go forward to meet Meath in the semi-final, but will need to improve considerably if they are to make further progress,

OFFALY: D Bracken; G Grehan, R Dalton, E Byrne; S Lonergan, P McConway, J Keane; N Smith, C Mahon; N Darby (0-1, free), R Connor (0-3), S Ryan (1-0); W Mulhall (0-4, two frees), T Coughlan A Lynam. Subs: D Corbett for Ryan (49 mins), G Hickey for Coughlan (59 mins).

LONGFORD: K Burns; K Moran, D Masterson, S Cox; P Kelly, J McCormack, A Rowan (0-1); G Dennigan (0-3, two frees), B McElvaney; P Foy, C Flynn, C Smith; E Gallagher, B Kavanagh (0-1, free), S McCormack (0-1). Subs: S Doyle for McElvaney (23 mins), J Connolly for Cox (half-time), B O'Connor for Smith (half-time).

Referee: P Finnegan (Louth).