Waterford move to the top of Division 1B after win over Offaly

Waterford as many expected moved to the top of Division 1B of this years Allianz National Hurling League this afternoon with a win over Offaly at O’Connor Park in Tullamore.

This was a game that many were expecting Waterford to win some ease. The home side began with a Laois before loosing to Wexford last time out, and in the home side struggled in this division twelve months ago and had to beat Division 2A champions Kerry in a promotion/relegation play off to see if they retained their place in this division for this this years league.

Waterford had opened the league well after getting relegated after loosing last years relegation play off with Dublin at Walsh Park.

Derek McGrath’s charges began with a draw against Limerick and last time out they had a comfortable win over Laois at Fraher Field and many were expecting them to continue their good start to this years league with a win here.

While Waterford won the game having seven points to spare, the victory was much harder won that many would have liked.

It was only after Waterford scrambled the ball over the line for a second goal fourteen minutes into the second half that Waterford could say victory was going to be theirs.

We all have heard of games of two halves. This was a game where the opening thirty-five minutes was a game of two halves.

The home side began the game in whirlwind fashion, racing into a seven point lead inside the first fourteen minutes of the game, putting seven points without response past Waterford.

Shane Dooley in those opening minutes was almost unerring with his striking accounting for six of his sides opening seven points, half of which came from placed balls. Offaly’s other scorer in those opening fourteen minutes was Brian Carroll who put over his sides second score of the game.

Waterford’s first score of the game came on seventeen minutes and soon spurred the side into action.

Within ten minutes of the Ballygunner man scoring, Waterford were within one of the home side as Austin Gleeson and Mahony again landed points before Shane Bennett struck for the games first goal after he was set up by the hugely impressive Colin Dunford who danced his way through the Offaly backs on twenty-seven minutes.

Shane Dooley extended the home side’s lead two minutes later when he put over his fourth free of the afternoon, but the sides were soon level when Pauric Mahony from a free and the impressive Jake Dillon landed points to tie the game 1-5 to 0-8 with thirty-one minutes played.

Waterford edged in front three minutes from the end of normal time what Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh registered his first score of the game and they soon doubled their advantage when Colin Dunford scored.

The home side however would retire only trailing by one at the break as Shane Dooley pointed on the stroke of half time.

The second half began with Waterford well on top with Jake Dillon, Pauric Mahony and Brian O’Halloran all landing points for the visitors in the opening four minutes of the half to give Waterford a 1-10 to 0-9 advantage on the scoreboard.

Waterford however were unable to press on. James Mulrooney and Pauric Mahony swapped points before Shane Dooley hit a goal for Offaly on forty three minutes following some good spade work by Joe Bergin and James Mulrooney in the build up.

Cathal Parlon levelled for Offaly two minutes (1-11 to 1-11) meaning that should another goal be scored in this game it was going to be decisive for whatever team that got it.

Pauric Mahony edged Waterford in front on forty-seven minutes when he put over a free and two minutes later that crucial second goal came, the ball was forced over the line from close range by Michael Walsh with Colin Dunford also played a vital part.

Colin Dunford and Shane Bennett edged Waterford 2-14 to 1-11 in front with sixteen minutes to play, and the lead was extended when Pauric Mahony and Martin O’Neill who replaced the injured Austin Gleeson late in the first half to give Waterford an eight point lead.

Shane Dooley pulled a point back for Offaly nine minutes from time but it was cancelled out six minutes later with a fine effort from Shane Fives who broke forward from his defensive position to land a good score.

Points from Shane Dooley and Brian Carroll followed for Offaly with Jake Dillon striking a point for Waterford in between before the end.

Waterford will be encouraged by this win and will give the side confidence ahead of the next game against Antrim and then rounding off with a game against Wexford.

However there will be some concern for Waterford as over the seventy plus minutes, twenty-two wides were registered, thirteen of them in the opening half, a tally that on another day could have cost the side, but for now, with another victory under their belts, they wont mind the high wide count too much.

Waterford will also take encouragement from the fact that two players returning from injury lay offs Colin Dunford played sixty-one minutes of the game while Maurice Shanahan in addition to the rolls he played in the recent challenge game with Tipperary and the roll he played with the County Under 21’s on Wednesday evening last against De La Salle got to play the last two minutes plus stoppage time in this game.

Waterford: Stephen O’Keeffe; Shane Fives, Barry Coughlan, Noel Connors; Philip Mahony, Tadhg De Búrca, Austin Gleeson; Jamie Barron, Kevin Moran; Colin Dunford, Pauric Mahony, Michael Walsh; Brian O’Halloran, Jake Dillon, Shane Bennett.  Subs: Martin O’Neill (0-01) for Austin Gleeson (31), Gavin O’Brien for Brian O’Halloran (51), Shane O’Sullivan for Jamie Barron (57), Stephen Bennett for Colin Dunford (61), Maurice Shanahan for Pauric Mahony (68).

Scorers: Pauric Mahony 0-7 (6fs); Shane Bennett, Michael Walsh 1-1 each; Jake Dillon 0-3, Colin Dunford 0-2, Shane Fives, Austin Gleeson, Brian O’Halloran, Martin O’Neill 0-1 each.

Offaly: James Dempsey; David King, Dermot Shortt, Stephen Wynne; Cathal Parlon, Eanna Murphy, Dermot Mooney; Sean Ryan, Emmett Nolan; Joe Bergin, Dan Currams, Sean Cleary; James Mulrooney, Shane Dooley, Brian Carroll. Subs: Stephen Quirke for Joe Bergin (52), Chris McDonald for Eanna Murphy (62), Colm Mulrooney for Sean Cleary (68).

Scorers: Shane Dooley 1-10 (8fs), Brian Carroll 0-2, James Mulrooney, Cathal Parlon 0-1 each.

Referee: James Owens (Wexford)