Laois stunned as Offaly stage sensational comeback in Tullamore

OFFALY ended their Walsh Cup campaign on a high note as they staged a sensational second half tour-de-force to stun neighbours Laois in O'Connor Park on Sunday.

Walsh Cup Senior Hurling Round 3

Offaly 2-21

Laois 1-23

Eight points behind at half time, down to fourteen men after the dismissal of Brian Duignan in the 34th minute, Offaly looked to be heading to a demoralising defeat.

Instead, they somehow managed to turn it around with an infinitely better second half display. Once they got the bit between their teeth, they took control in all sectors and a beleagured Laois had no answers.

It was an amazing turnaround, an unlikely win for Offaly who were so far off the pace in the first half that it actually looked possible at one stage that Laois could secure the 25 point win they needed to reach the final against Galway.

Instead, Offaly showed real character and fighting spirit in the second half. For a while, they were chasing scoring respectability but as it wore on, Laois began to look increasingly vulnerable. This increased when they were also reduced to fourteen men following a second yellow card for centre half back Padraic Delaney at the three quarter way mark.

At that stage, Offaly were trailing by 1-19 to 2-10 and a victory was still unlikely. But it was also obvious that they would not suffer the humiliation of Laois qualifying for the final by virtue of a huge win. However, as it progressed, Offaly scented blood, went for the jugular and stormed across the finish line with a really good finishing spurt.

Offaly had a stronger team on the field in the second half and this made all the difference. The first half introduction of Ben Conneely helped steady a fragile defence, Offaly brought four subs on at half time, a few more in the second half and all contributed. More below picture.

Charlie Mitchell was particularly influential. The Kilcormac-Killoughey man sowed the first seeds of doubt in Laois with an early second half goal, added a point and was fouled for the two injury time frees that his club mate Cathal Kiely fired over to win the day for Offaly. He was highly motivated, eager to impress and taking on his man at every opportunity.

John Murphy, Sam Bourke and David King also won crucial ball, using it well when brought on and when Offaly built up a head of steam, Laois found they had shot their bolt. The visitors had been very good in the first half but they were very heavily reliant on the outstanding PJ Scully for scores – he got sixteen points, three from play and while that was a huge return, they could have done with more players scoring.

Having performed well in a first round defeat by Kilkenny and giving a battling performance against Wexford, Offaly were fairly shocking at times as a hungry and fired up Laois took them to the cleaners in the first half.

With Wexford having beaten Kilkenny on Saturday, it meant that a final place was possible for Laois, albeit very much in the long shot category. They needed to win by 25 points to qualify and to achieve that, it would have warranted an exceptional display mixed in with an absolutely horrific one from Offaly.

Offaly went some way towards fulfilling their end of the bargain with a very inept first half performance. They were a country mile off where they needed to be as a hungry Laois really went at them and a very experimental Offaly side buckled at the knees.

For a worrying few minutes, it actually looked like that 25 point winning margin could be achievable for Laois. A 16th minute goal from James Duggan helped them to a 1-8 to 0-3 lead after 20 minutes. The gap was ten, 1-11 to 0-4 after 27 minutes. The veteran Shane Dooley didn't connect with a decent goal chance in the 28th minute, having mishit an early free, but Brian Duignan got in for an excellent 29th minute goal to make it 1-11 to 1-4.

Laois responded very well with three points for a 1-14 to 1-6 half time lead and Offaly's anxiety increased to epic levels when Brian Duignan received a straight red card for a 34th minute incident.

With an extra man and an eight point lead, it seemed certain that Laois would saunter to a facile win even if 25 points was going to be well beyond them. Instead, they found themselves in a real dog fight and they were eventually blown apart.

Charlie Mitchell did well to get that 37th minute goal, flicking a ground stroke to the net as Offaly started with 1-2 without reply to bring it back to three points, 1-14 to 2-8 almost in the blink of an eye. Even then, the alarm bells didn't ring particularly loudly for Laois. Scully and Eoghan Cahill swopped frees and Laois went on a three point spree that put them 1-18 to 2-9 ahead after 46 minutes.

They were in trouble but they continued to pick off scores at regular intervals and inside the last ten minutes they were still four points to the good, 1-22 to 2-15. Offaly were like men possessed and ripped them apart from here on. Players cropped up with scores from all over the place. John Murphy, Paddy Clancy, Cathal Kiely (free) and Jack Clancy all fired over to level it up, 2-19 to 1-22 with two minutes left.

Scully's free put Laois back in front and they should have went two clear but James Duggan underhit a point chance. Offaly rallied again, Mitchell won those two frees in injury time and Kiely's points gave them a win that will really boost their confidence ahead of the league opener in Down. SCORERS, TEAMS, MOTM BELOW PICTURE.

MAN OF THE MATCH

PJ Scully (Laois): PJ Scully had a fantastic game for Laois. He was brilliant in the first half and while he was not as good in the second half, he continued to be their main attacker. His sixteen point haul gave them a great chance of the win.

THE SCORERS

Offaly: Eoghan Cahill 0-8 (6f), Brian Duignan and Charlie Mitchell 1-1 each, Cathal Kiely 0-3 (3f), Shane Dooley (2f) and John Murphy 0-2 each, Stephen Corcoran (f), Adrian Cleary, Jack Clancy, Paddy Clancy 0-1 each.

Laois: PJ Scully 0-16 (12f an 1 sideline), James Duggan 1-2, Tomas Keyes 0-2, Jack Kelly, Aidan Corby, Stephen Bergin 0-1 each.

 THE TEAMS

OFFALY: Stephen Corcoran (Coolderry); Joe Hoctor (Carrig-Riverstown), Padraig Cantwell (Shamrocks), Jack Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey); Conor Hardiman (Kinnitty), Joey Keenaghan (Clodiagh Gaels), Conor Molloy (Coolderry); Adrian Cleary (Shinrone), Conor Langton (Clodiagh Gaels); Brian Duignan (Durrow), Eoghan Parlon (Coolderry), Jack Clancy (Belmont); Paddy Clancy (Belmont), Shane Dooley (Tullamore), Eoghan Cahill (Birr). Subs – Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's) for Screeney, inj. (24m), David King (Coolderry) for Parlon (HT), Charlie Mitchell (Kilcormac-Killoughey) for Dooley (HT), Eimhin Kelly (Lusmagh) for Langton (HT), Dara Maher (Shinrone) for Hoctor (HT), Cathal Kiely (Kilcormac-Killoughey) for Cleary (53m), John Murphy (Ballinamere) for Molloy (54m), Sam Bourke (Durrow) for Cahill (61m), Oisin Murphy (Birr) for Maher (67m),

LAOIS: Enda Rowland; Donnchadh Hartnett, Ryan Mullaney, Padraic Dunne; Patrick Purcell, Padraig Delaney, Jack Kelly; Padraig Lalor, Aidan Corby; Tomas Keyes, PJ Scully, James Duggan; Brandon McGinley, Martin Phelan, Ross King. Subs – Stephen Maher for Phelan (41m), Ciaran Byrne for Corby (48m), Jordan Walsh for McGinley (56m), Stephen Bergin for Lalor (58m),

Referee – Chris Mooney (Dublin).

REFEREE WATCH

Chris Mooney had a steady game. He showed cards and was consistent in the way he officiated.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Charlie Mitchell's goal at the start of the second half was pivotal. It gave Offaly the confidence to push on and Laois never really regained their composure after it.

VENUE WATCH

This local derby attracted less interest than normal. The inclement weather, counter attractions on television and the fact that the stakes were fairly low all contributed to this. The O'Connor Park pitch looked better than it had a couple of weeks ago and held up well. The County Board did not provide their usual professionalism by updating spectators on substitutions, which was a pity as this is a great part of the O'Connor Park service, but apart from that, they hosted the game well.

WHAT'S NEXT

Offaly's and Laois' campaign is now over.

STATISTICS

Wides: Offaly – 8 (6 in first half); Laois – 14 (7 in first half).

Yellow cards: Offaly – 0; Laois – 4 (Padraig Delaney 2, Patrick Purcell and Jordan Walsh).

Red cards: Offaly – 1 (Brian Duignan); Laois – 1 (Padraig Delaney 2 yellows).