Offaly 1-20 Cork 1-21
Offaly manager John Maughan vowed to go after the Tailteann Cup after Cork tipped his side into Division Three.
A rousing second half from Offaly, who recovered a six-point deficit against the breeze to lead by two in the last 10 minutes, ultimately wasn’t enough as Cork kicked the last two points deep in injury time.
A draw would have done the Rebels due to their superior scoring difference and Stephen Sherlock’s 75th minute free, won in somewhat bizarre circumstances, proved critical.
Cork won the free as a result of a botched Offaly kickout as the ball was inadvertently played back to goalkeeper Paddy Dunican who, by rule, is not allowed to receive a return pass from a kickout. But with it about to run out for a 45 he touched it back into play with teammate Declan Hogan arriving on the scene, resulting in a routine free for Sherlock.
Offaly launched one last attack but, with a point of no use to them, they couldn’t fashion the goal that would have sent Cork down instead of them.
A strong first half against the breeze from Cork, topped up by a good start to the second half, ultimately left Offaly with too much to do facing the elements for the last half hour or so, albeit a spirited effort from the home side saw the O’Connor Park crowd warm to their efforts as the game progressed.
Cathal O’Mahony turned Lee Pearson for a third minute goal and Cork pushed six points clear by the 12th minute and though Offaly, and Niall McNamee and Bill Carroll in particular, kicked some fine long range efforts with the breeze, they were only hanging on.
Anton Sullivan’s penalty, after McNamee was hauled down by Kevin Flahive, who was black-carded, gave them hope before half-time but Cork were in driving seat when leading 1-10 to 1-7 at the break and they tagged on three points on the restart, with Stephen Sherlock slotting six points in-a-row for the visitors.
Offaly replied with four of their own, however, with McNamee their main threat and though Cork hit back, the home side had the momentum and moved two clear in the 63rd minute.
They were undone by a lack of composure in the end, as Cork kept their cool that little bit better to kick three of the last four points.
Offaly play Wexford next month with the winners facing Dublin in the Leinster quarter-final. Their relegation means that only reaching a provincial final will keep them out of the Tailteann Cup.
“I suppose it will be easier for us because we are looking at a young enough crop of players here that will benefit enormously from a Tailteann Cup,” said Maughan.
“I was involved in that B Championship with teams in the past, with Clare and Fermanagh where we went on and won it and certainly gave us a bit of momentum to build and get experience.
“Every game you go out and play, you learn something new. I don’t even know when the bloody thing starts, I know it finishes in July but we have the Leinster championship to look forward to first.
“It will move on pretty quickly, but I’m hoping our lads embrace it. It's my job to ensure that they do and we finish out the season in good shape.”
Maughan felt that his side’s effort “deserved a victory” but rued their “inexperience at this level”.
“But I have to say, I’m immensely proud of the effort. To score 1-20 and be six down into that breeze in the second half, there was a manliness about that performance here today and I’m extremely proud of the way they battled to the very, very end.”
Cork manager Keith Ricken wasn’t present due to illness though county board chairman Marc Sheehan commented: “He’s very happy with the outcome this afternoon, I can confirm that. I look forward to his return in the very near future back into his role.”
He added: “I think if anyone has any questions about resilience or character I think they were answered today and I think they were answered over the last two matches as well. It’s been a difficult league certainly but great character today.
“A lot of injuries over the course of the league but absolutely delighted for the panel, for management and for everybody who supports the team so enthusiastically. It’s a great day, a sunny afternoon in Tullamore, we’re all happy.”
OFFALY: Paddy Dunican (0-1f) 7; Kieran Dolan 5, Lee Pearson 5, James Lalor 6; Colm Doyle 5, Declan Hogan 8, Niall Darby (0-1) 7; Cathal Donoghue 5, Jordan Hayes 6; Dylan Hyland 5, Johnny Moloney (0-1) 8, Bill Carroll (0-3) 8; Ruari McNamee (0-2) 7, Anton Sullivan (1-3, 1-0 pen) 8, Niall McNamee (0-7, 0-2m, 0-2f) 8.
Subs: Cathal Flynn (0-1) for Pearson (21), Keith O’Neill (0-1) for Donoghue (41), Marc Abbott for Hyland (51), Ciaran Donnelly for Doyle (55), Bernard Allen for Sullivan (69).
CORK: Michael Martin 7; Kevin Flahive 5, Kevin O’Donovan 8, Tommy Walsh 7; John Cooper 6, Rory Maguire 7, Mattie Taylor (0-1) 7; Ian Maguire 7, Colm O’Callaghan (0-2) 7; Daniel Dineen 6, Eoghan McSweeney 6, John O’Rourke (0-3) 7; Stephen Sherlock (0-9, 0-4f) 9, Cathal O’Mahony (1-1) 7, Brian Hurley (0-3, 0-1m) 7.
Subs: Blake Murphy (0-1) for McSweeney (48), Cian Kiely (0-1) for Flahive (53), Mark Cronin for O’Mahony (53), Brian Hartnett for Dineen (59), Fionn Herlihy for O’Rourke (70).
REFEREE: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh).
QUOTE ME ON THAT
“I don’t even know when the bloody thing starts, I know it finishes in July but we have the Leinster Championship to look forward to first. It will move on pretty quickly, but I’m hoping our lads embrace it.”
Offaly manager John Maughan on the Tailteann Cup
STAR MAN - Stephen Sherlock (Cork)
Sherlock ultimately carried the day for Cork and was a consistent threat throughout when the contribution of others was more sporadic. Offaly couldn’t get a handle on him all day.
AN OTHER - Niall McNamee (Offaly)
The 36-year-old rolled back the years with a fine all-round display, finishing with a tally of 0-7. As has been the case all too often, however, even his brilliance wasn’t enough to save Offaly.
UP NEXT
OFFALY: April 24 v Wexford (a)
CORK: May 7 v Kerry (h)
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