Offaly go into Christmas break unbeaten

Offaly go into the Christmas break with two wins from two in the O’Byrne Cup after an impressive six-point win over Louth in Drogheda.

Anton Sullivan’s goal in the 37th minute in the middle of a 1-6 blitz after half time put the visitors in pole position for victory after Ciaran Downey gave Louth the lead for the only time in the game.

Offaly had the brighter start in the opening half, leading 0-4 to 0-1 with less than ten minutes played. Veteran forward Declan Byrne kicked all but one of Louth’s first half scores. Byrne landed the final point of the half to make 0-6 apiece at half time.

Sam Mulroy did land a consolation goal at the death for Louth. However, Offaly were never in trouble. Impressive replacement Cian Farrell notched three off the bench as John Maughan used the full compliment of subs in an excellent display.

SCORERS- Louth: D Byrne 0-5 (3f)S Mulroy 1-2 (2f) C Downey 0-3. Offaly:A Sullivan 1-1, R McNamee (1f), E Carroll and C Farrell 0-3 each, C Johnson 0-2(1f), M Dunican (1f), J Hayes M Brazil and J Dempsey 0-1 each

LOUTH- C Lynch; N Sharkey, D Corcoran, A Mooney; L Jackson, D Campbell, O Murray; T Durnin, C Early; M Corcoran, P Matthews, C McKeever; J Gallagher, S Mulroy, D Byrne. Subs: C Downey for Durnin (16), G Garland for McKeever (ht), J Clutterbuck for Matthews (48), L Haggans for Lynch(48), S Murray for D Byrne (53), J Murphy for Gallagher (53), F Donohoe for Mooney (66).

OFFALY: P Dunican; D Hogan, E Rigney, B Darby; E Carroll, D Dempsey, N Darby; C Mangan, C McNamee; J Hayes, A Sullivan,J Dempsey; C Johnson, D Molloy, R McNamee. Subs: S Horan for Dempsey (ht) M Brazil for Molloy (ht) C Farrell for N McNamee (48), A Leavy for Hayes (51), C Doyle for B Darby (64), S Nally for Rigney (66), M Abbott for R McNamee (68), PJ Daly for Carroll (70), I Duffy for Dunican (70), B Mitchell for N Darby (72).

REF: K O’Brien (Westmeath)

Report: Independent.ie

https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/impressive-offaly-pull-clear-of-louth-to-make-it-two-from-two-in-the-obyrne-cup-38785106.html