All that happened when Kildare edged Offaly in Newbridge

Kildare 1-17

Offaly 0-19

It may have taken three attempts but Saturday's one point win over neighbours, Offaly, was certainly a sweet one and with it comes a place in the Tailteann Cup semi-final and a date in Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

All things considered and after a day of torrential rain the sides served up a mighty, well-contested game of football with some outstanding talent, some mighty scorers in a game that went right down to the wire, that despite Kildare opening a seven point lead in the 46 minute — 1-13 to 0-9 — having led by two a the break.

Offaly, not unexpectedly, fought to the bitter end with two two-pointers from midfielder Jordan Hayes, getting his side right back into it and while the visitors to Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, had a late chance to force extra time, the result was probably the right one, Kildare having led for most of the game and it was a blistering start to the second half that got them over the lined at the end of the day.

Thirty seconds after the throw-in, Ryan Sinkey, fired high and over to give The Lilies the lead, and while Offaly leveled on four, a foul on Dylan Hyland, saw him make no mistake.

However Kevin Feely regained the lead for the home side on seven minutes, Darragh Kirwan adding a point a minute later.
Offaly threatened to find the Kildare net some minutes later but defender Brian Byrne, who had a mighty game, denied Offaly clearing off his line for a 45 which failed to find its target. However soon after Keith O'Neill reduced the game to one on 12 minutes.

Offaly came again a minute later and this time it was keeper, Cian Burke who denied Lee Pearson but two minutes later The Faithful Boys took the lead with a brilliant two-pointer from Cathal Flynn and when Keith O'Neill added his second the visitors led 0-5 to 0-3 with 15 minutes on the clock.

Brendan Gibbons made a brilliant fetch from a Cian Burke kick-out, passed to Ryan Sinkey and the Naas man fired over.

Kildare looked to retake the lead soon after Ryan Burke caught a kick-out, passed to David Hyland who sent in a high probing ball where Alex Beirne made a fabulous catch, turned before seeing his goal-bound shot rebound off the butt of the upright, in what would have been a brilliant goal.

John Furlong converted a mark for Offaly before Kildare came again, this time it was wing-back, James McGrath, weaving his way through the Offaly defence and while his step-count looked somewhat suspect, nonetheless the Athy man blasted an unstoppable shot past Paddy Dunican in the Offaly goal as Kildare now led 1-4 to 0-6.

Jack Bryant leveled up; Ryan Sinkey, his third point, and Daniel Flynn pushed Kildare two clear.

Brendan Gibbons made another excellent catch but it was Offaly who were next to score, Daire McDaid on 35 minutes left one in it but Alex Beirne replied as Kildare led at the break by two — 1-7 to 0-10.

The rain had ceased for most of that half but returned with a vengeance as the second half got under way as Kildare played some of the best football we have seen throughout this season.

First Kevin Feely was on hand to halt a dangerous Offaly attack, The Lilies charged into the Kilcullen end, Darragh Kirwan pointed, David Hyland added a second before Alex Beirne hit an absolute boomer of a two-pointer and Kildare now led 1-11 to 0-8, 40 on the clock and Offaly yet to score.

Cillian Burke finally got the visitors ticking again with a point but that was snuffed out with another fine effort from Alex Beirne who twisted and turned the Offaly defence before punching over.

Tommy Gill picked up a yellow but it was that man Beirne who extended the Kildare lead following a great ball in from David Hyland, the Naas man, just like he did previously, used his strength and skill turning and twisting the Offaly defence before punching over to leave it 1-13 to 0-9 with 46 minutes on the clock.

A great bit of defending saw Ryan Burke clear his lines before the Offaly fight-back got under way with a brilliant two-pointer from Jordan Hayes; Dylan Hyland punched a point before Hayes fired over another two-pointer and the lead was back to two points with 56 minutes on the clock.

Darragh Kirwan eased the Kildare concerns, Shane Tierney replied; Kevin Feely hit a brilliant ball over the top to Niall Kelly, who was fouled and Alex Beirne converted the free to leave three in it.

Cian Burke made a great save, Paddy Dunican converted the 45; Mick O'Grady hit a delightful left footed point but Offaly came back with Paddy Dunican converting a two-pointer free to cut the led to one.

Alex Beirne left two in it with a free; Shane Tierney had it back to one and while Offaly had an opportunity to force extra time, that last gasp effort went just right of the right hand post and wide.

The four minutes of time added on had elapsed and referee Thomas Murphy, who had an excellent game, called time much to the delight of the Kildare fans in the attendance of 11,500.

A great game to win; a victory that should stand to Kildare; there were times, not too long ago, when games like this slipped away from The Lilies but for now, it is onwards and upwards; a trip to Croke Park this Sunday in a Tailteann Cup semi-final double-header.

SCORERS
Kildare: Alex Beirne 0-7 (one two-pointer, 2 frees), James McGrath 1-0, Darragh Kirwan 0-3, Ryan Sinkey 0-3, Kevin Feely 0-1, Daniel Flynn 0-1, David Hyland 0-1, Mick O'Grady 0-1.

Offaly: Jordan Hayes 0-4 (two two-pointers), Paddy Dunican 0-3 (45, one two-pointer free), Keith O'Neill 0-2, Dylan Hyland 0-2 (1 free), Cathal Flynn 0-2 (two-pointer), Shane Tierney 0-2 (one mark), Daire McDaid 0-1, John Furlong 0-1 (mark), Jack Bryant 0-1, Cillian Bourke 0-1.

TEAMS
Kildare: Cian Burke; Harry O'Neill, Mark Dempsey, Brian Byrne; Rian Burke, David Hyland, James McGrath; Kevin Feely cpt, Brendan Gibbons; Tommy Gill, Alex Beirne, Colm Dalton; Ryan Sinkey, Daniel Flynn, Darragh Kirwan. Subs: Niall Kelly for Ryan Sinkey (54 minutes); Kevin Flynn for Tommy Gill (54 minutes); Mick O'Grady for Brendan Gibbons (58 minutes); Brian McLoughlin for Darragh Kirwan (71 minutes).

Offaly: Paddy Dunican; Lee Pearson cpt, David Dempsey, Daire McDaid; Aidan Bracken, John Furlong, Cormac Egan; Jack McEvoy, Jordan Hayes; Kyle Higgins, Cathal Flynn, Cillian Bourke; Dylan Hyland, Jack Bryant, Keith O'Neill. Subs: Ruairí McNamee for Kyle Higgins (42 minutes); Shane Tierney for Jack Bryant (54 minutes); Rory Egan for Lee Pearson (68 minutes).

REFEREE: Thomas Murphy, Galway

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