Daragh Nolan, 19 Mar
Kildare have drawn with Offaly to secure top spot for David Herity's
side. The result sends Kildare straight into the league final with
Offaly now forced into a home semi-final tie to join them. It took a
James Burke free-kick on the 76th minute to draw level after what had
previously been a dominant Kildare second half before Offaly's two
quick goals
It was a slow start for Kildare who gave away frees in dangerous areas
in the opening half and Offaly's sharpshooter Eoghan Cahill was more
than happy to slot them between the posts. Added to that some poor
wides and shots dropping short, it was far from the kind of play that
got them to the top of this division. They trailed by three at the
break.
It was a super second half from Kildare for the most part and they
would have been heartbroken not to get something from this game.
Kildare pressure forced an error late on from Offaly goalkeeper Stephen
Corcoran which resulted in a free for the visitors. The simple free was
converted and Kildare secure a brilliant result.
Kildare, James Burke 0-10 (0-9 frees), Declan Flaherty 0-3, Paul Dolan
0-3, Cathal Dowling 0-2, Gerry Keegan 0-2, Conan Boran 0-2, Cian Boran
0-1.
Offaly, Eoghan Cahill 0-11 (0-10 frees), Charlie Mitchell 1-2, David
Nally 1-0, Killian Sampson 0-2, Cillian Kiely 0-1, Jason Sampson 0-1.
KILDARE: Paddy McKenna; Niall Ó Muineacháin, Simon Leacy, Cormac Byrne;
Cian Shanahan, Rian Boran, Conan Boran; Paul Dolan, Cathal McCabe;
James Burke, Gerry Keegan, Jack Higgins; Brian Byrne, Cian Boran,
Cathal Dowling.
Subs: Declan Flaherty on for Jack Higgins (31 minutes), Mark Delaney on
for Cian Boran (65 minutes), Jack Travers on for Paul Dolan (68
minutes),
OFFALY: Stephen Corcoran; Ben Conneely, Ciarán Burke, Dara Maher;
Killian Sampson, Jason Sampson, Joey Keenaghan; Ross Ravenhill, Jack
Clancy; David Nally, Cillian Kiely, Adrian Cleary; Eimhin Kelly,
Charlie Mitchell, Eoghan Cahill.
Subs: David King on for Ross Ravenhill (38 minutes), Paddy Clancy on
for Jack Clancy (39 minutes), Shane Dooley on for Eimhin Kelly (43
minutes), Liam Langton on for Cillian Kiely (53 minutes), John Murphy
on for Adrian Cleary (66 minutes),
Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin)