Brave Offaly fall just short at semi final stage

Kevin Egan

A 2-13 to 0-13 win for Cork in the Glen Dimplex Intermediate Championship semi-final against Offaly last evening at FBD Semple Stadium would suggest a comfortable win for the Rebels but it was anything but, as Cliona Dooley’s stoppage time goal was required to kill off stubborn resistance from Offaly, who were hoping to bounce straight back up to senior level after last year’s relegation.

Clodagh Leahy opened the scoring for the Faithful County with a free, but Cork responded brilliantly to take control of the game, firing four points in a row, culminating in a majestic solo effort from Lauren Homan.

Leahy spearheaded Offaly’s revival, firing six of the midlanders’ eight first half points, but wides also haunted her side and a goal from Homan, bundled over the line after a strong run from her position of centre forward opened up the defence, made it 1-7 to 0-8 at half-time.

Olivia McAllen briefly extended Cork’s lead to nine points shortly after half-time but they couldn’t shake off their opponents, and when Gráinne Kennedy sent over a majestic score from the left wing to make it 1-11 to 0-13 after 57 minutes, another bout of extra time looked quite likely.

Instead Cliona Dooley split the posts on the next attack, Offaly struggled to get the ball into the hands of their best attackers and a point from Laura Doyle and Dooley’s close-range goal, punishing a turnover after Offaly were caught chasing an equaliser, rounded off the scoring.