Offaly finally makes a return to the Leinster SHC in 2025 after a hiatus of seven years and overcoming a challenging Ring Cup semi-final loss. While manager Johnny Kelly isn’t certain about their sustained presence in the top tier post their significant Joe McDonagh Cup triumph, he holds a hopeful outlook.
Reflecting on the arduous journey, Kelly expressed optimism that this journey is just the beginning. The celebrations that kicked off following the county’s debut victory at the All-Ireland U-20 will likely be extended. The Offaly team will take on Cork in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final next Saturday. However, their dedicated fans have been given a free reign to continue the festivities.
Offaly’s redemption lies in the two goals scored by standout player Brian Duignan who scored 1-4, and replacement Oisin Kelly. Each goal was delivered at the beginning of each half, with Duignan scoring within the first 100 seconds and Kelly lifting a green flag even earlier in the second half.
In a classic showdown between two longtime adversaries, the promotion journey from the second tier boiled down to the wire, with Laois clawing back a seven-point deficit to level the scores in the 70th minute. Ultimately, Offaly’s yearning for redemption from the previous year’s final defeat to Carlow saw them surge in the end game. Clutch points from Killian Sampson, Charlie Mitchell, and Jack Clancy helped them clinch a significant victory.
Kelly expressed immense satisfaction, not for himself, but for everybody in Offaly. Reflecting on the past failures, including a bitter loss to Carlow after going into extra time, Kelly voiced his joy for the veteran players.
There’s uncertainty surrounding whether Offaly’s upcoming encounter with Cork in Tullamore this following Saturday will prove advantageous or detrimental at the tail end of an exhaustive season. Recalling their previous confrontation at the same location in the league, Cork took victory over Offaly with a score of 5-28 to 0-16.
“Cork’s strength on the pitch is unmatched. The outcome of the league clash was clear as day. This week is likely to be challenging as the team is currently in high spirits. Celebrations are expected, but bear in mind we’re going up against the Munster team that placed third,” said Kelly, appearing nonchalant.
For the ardent fans of Offaly, the senior victory was the crowning glory of an already impressive week. Merely a week earlier, they had claimed the All-Ireland U-20 title, an unprecedented achievement. Four players from the winning line-up – Adam Screeney, Dan Bourke, Donal Shirley, and Cathal King—returned to the pitch for the seniors.
“Securing consecutive victories was of immense significance for Offaly,” noted Kelly. “The U-20s triumph was a marvellous accomplishment, and achieving a similar feat at the senior level strengthens the progress Offaly has made in recent years.”
Offaly took an early lead with Duignan’s goal in the first two minutes, propelling them to a 1-3 to 0-1 lead. Much like the previous year’s final, where Mitchell scored an early goal, they were unable to maintain a steady lead, resulting in a remarkable eight ties in the first half.
Laois’s mid-game was admirably commanded by Patrick Purcell and Aidan Corby, both securing four points each in the first half. Offaly edged ahead with a narrow half-time score of 1-13 to 0-15, with the excitement of the third quarter heightened by Kelly’s solo goal, setting them ahead once more. Despite being at a seven-point lead twice, Offaly found themselves being relentlessly pursued by Laois, equally eager to replicate their 2019 championship accomplishment.
In Offaly’s team, C King scored one point, C Kiely had two, K Sampson also took two, D Bourke had one, E Cahill was their highest scorer with seven points, five of these from frees while B Duignan contributed one goal and four points, C Mitchell scored four points and A Screeney had a single point. Their substitutes included E Kelly who was switched in for another E Kelly at 30 minutes and scored one goal, C Spain replaced Screeney at 55 minutes, J Clancy came on for Cahill at 67 and scored a single point, and S Bourke was substituted in for D Bourke at 71 minutes.
As for Laois’ team, I Shanahan and L O’Connell each had one point, A Corby scored four, P Purcell came away with five, FC Fennell, J Duggan, T Keyes all scored one point each, and D Dunphy was their top scorer with eleven points, six from frees, and two from 65s. Their substitutes were S Maher, who came in for Fennell at 42 minutes, D Hartnett who replaced O’Connell at 44, R King who scored one point as the replacement for Duggan at 46, W Dunphy who came in for Keyes at 60 mins, and at 71 minutes J Lennon came in for Purcell.
C McDonald from Antrim acted as the referee for the match.