Official Aras Mumhan Website

  • This event has passed.

2024 Allianz Hurling League Division 1A – Waterford 3-20 Offaly 0-17

February 4 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Waterford defeated Offaly by 3-20 to 0-17 in Round 1 of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A on Sunday February 4th at Glenisk O’Connor Park Tullamore.

Allianz HL D1: Lively Waterford triumph

Waterford 3-20 Offaly 0-17

By Ciarán Burns at Glenisk O’Connor Park for GAA.ie

Two first half goals in the space of just 30 seconds ensured that Waterford never looked like losing this afternoon’s Allianz Hurling League opener in Tullamore, despite solid resistance from an Offaly side that showed flashes of potential at various stages of the game.

It was an experimental Waterford side that took to the field at Glenisk O’Connor Park and Offaly certainly tested the young Déise side in the opening exchanges, albeit with a fresh breeze assisting their cause.

Offaly’s Brian Duignan started the game well by winning a free close to goal, enabling Eoghan Cahill to opened his account. The Birr man went on to put Offaly three points up within the first 10 minutes.

Waterford were never far away from the home side, however, as they began to get a hold of Offaly’s shooters, keeping them quiet from inside positions. Offaly were forced to shoot from range and in the first half they duly did so, with Killian Sampson, Jason Sampson and David Nally all getting fine scores from distance.

Wides continued to be a problem for the midlanders however, with 10 in the first half – and 14 in total – restricting their ability to run up a score.

Waterford made hard work of getting the ball up the field, some sloppy play would surely have frustrated their travelling support, but throughout the game the Munster men had a dangerous inside line. Sean Walsh was on target for their first goal midway through the half and the result of the tie felt inevitable when Stephen Bennett snagged two in a minute not long after.

His first came out of nothing, or a butchered free to be more precise. The Waterford captain dropped the ball after rising it, before managing to get it back in his hands and rifling it into the far corner.

Offaly shot themselves in the foot straight from the restart. A loose pass reached Bennett again who took a similarly precise strike into the corner of the net, ensuring a comfortable 3-8 to 0-10 lead at half-time, and a second half which was much more about practice and sharpness than a genuine pursuit

Mistakes were common and the soft ground may have made life more difficult for two sides who aspired to play fast hurling, more suited to summer conditions.

Both teams will be disappointed with some wasteful play, but Waterford caught Offaly out with powerful running in behind the Offaly half-back line, with off the shoulder runners capitalising on good short, sharp passing.

After a shaky start they really grew into this game thanks to the sharpness of their inside line particularly. Stephen Bennett scored 2-4 and Sean Walsh 1-1, showing their prowess in front of the posts. Michael Kiely and Patrick Curran also helped them tick through the middle, nabbing 0-3 and 0-2 respectively.

With Offaly marksman Eoghan Cahill leaving the field after picking up an injury, full forward Duignan took over Offaly’s frees with great effect in the second half.

He managed to keep his side in the hunt and they really came into the game, pulling the lead back to three points at one stage. However, a red card for midfielder Leon Fox further hampered their efforts, with Stephen Bennett picking off several frees late on to stretch the lead out to a slightly flattering 12-point margin.

Scorers for Waterford: Stephen Bennett 2-4 (3fs), Sean Walsh 1-1, Patrick Curran and Seamus Fitzgerald 0-3 each, Michael Kelly and Neil Montgomery 0-2 each, Padraig Fitzgerald, Kieran Bennett, Jack Prendergast, Jack Fagan, and Conor Sheehan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Offaly: Eoghan Cahill 0-6, Brian Duignan 0-5 (1f), Eimhin Kelly 0-2, Killian Sampson, Jason Sampson, Cillian Kiely and David Nally 0-1 each.

Waterford: Shaun O’Brien; Mark Fitzgerald; Conor Prunty; Tom Barron; Jack Fagan; Calum Lyons; P.J. Fanning; Kieran Bennett; Paddy Leavy; Patrick Curran; Michael Kiely; Jack Prendergast; Padraig Fitzgerald; Sean Walsh; Stephen Bennett.
Subs: Conor Ryan for Lyons (35+2), Seamus Fitzgerald for K Bennett (44), Patrick Fitzgerald for Walsh (55), Neil Montgomery for Pádraig Fitzgerald (60), Martin Power for Curran (68) Shane Bennett for Kiely (70+1).

Offaly: Stephen Corcoran; Ben Conneely; Ciarán Burke; Sam Bourke; Killian Sampson; Cillian Kiely; Jason Sampson; Cathal King; Leon Fox; David Nally; Eimhin Kelly; Dan Bourke; Charlie Mitchell; Brian Duignan; Eoghan Cahill.
Subs: David King for Cahill (30), Jack Clancy for D Bourke (40), Donal Shirley for Conneely (59).

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Tipperary).

Team News

OFFALY (AHL v Waterford): S Corcoran, B Conneely, C Burke, S Bourke, K Sampson, C Kiely, J Sampson (c), C King, L Fox, D Nally, E Kelly, D Bourke, C Mitchell, B Duignan, E Cahill.
Subs: M Troy, J Clancy, D King, A Screeney, D Shirley, M Watkins, P Delaney, J Hoctor, D Maher, E Parlon, P Cleary.

Details

Date:
February 4
Time:
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Venue

Glenisk O’Connor Park Tullamore

GAA Units

Clare GAA
Cork GAA
Kerry GAA
Limerick GAA
Tipperary GAA
Waterford GAA
US GAA