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Image courtesy Paul Lundy
DUBLIN 4-12
OFFALY 0-17
Dublin delivered a superb second-half display as they accounted for Offaly by seven points in their Oneills.com Leinster Under 20 Hurling Championship quarter-final at Cedral St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge on Monday afternoon.
Dublin trailed by 0-9 to 1-3 at the interval as Adam Screeney scored six points from placed balls for Offaly with Callum Graham’s 26th minute goal a much-needed boost for the Dubs.
Further goals by Ollie Gaffney and Graham within seven minutes of the second-half saw Dublin take control of matters and Gaffney’s 57th minute goal was a fitting way for Dublin to progress to the last four.
Senan Crosbie opened the scoring for Dublin in the 2nd minute before the holders struck back through points in quick succession by Dan Ravenhill and Shane Rigney.
A 5th minute free from Adam Screeney doubled the Offaly lead and while Daniel O’Kelly converted a free at the opposite end for Dublin, Screeney was on hand to restore his team’s two-point lead by the 8th minute.
O’Kelly added a superb score from distance two minutes later but another brace of Screeney frees pushed Offaly three points clear by the start of the second quarter.
Despite the strong defensive performances of Conor Groarke and Joe Sheppard, a number of wides at the opposite end undermined the Dublin challenge as two further placed balls by Screeney added to the Faithful lead.
Having been held scoreless for sixteen minutes, Dublin finally ended their barren spell in a fortuitous manner as Offaly netminder Liam Hoare failed to control an attempt from Callum Graham as the ball deflected into his own net.
The Dubs missed a couple of chances to trim their deficit further in the closing stages of the half with a fine Ravenhill point leaving Offaly three points to the good by half-time.
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