LEINSTER MFC SEMI-FINAL/Offaly 0-10 Laois 0-9:A MAGNIFICENT performance by midfielder Noel Graham propelled Offaly into the minor provincial decider after a tense semi-final in Tullamore yesterday evening.
Graham stamped his authority on the game from start to finish, handling a huge amount of ball and driving on his side relentlessly. And, with Pat Camon playing a very able supporting role, Offaly laid the foundations for their win at midfield.
Offaly were the better side by a distance, but they did not make life easy for themselves as they allowed a mediocre Laois to stay in touch for much longer than they should have been.
Laois came out with all guns blazing and a pointed free from Paul Kingston and two from play from Damian O’Connor had them three to the good before Offaly knew what hit them.
After this, however, the home side dominanted proceedings and, with Graham kicking five points and Peter Cunningham and Paul McPadden also getting in on the scoring act, they led by 0-7 to 0-6 at the break.
Laois had the wind advantage in the second half and they quickly equalised through Jamie Farrell, but once again Offaly took control.
Two frees from Graham and one from Stuart Cullen had them 0-10 to 0-7 ahead with 16 minutes left and they really should have eased home from here.
Instead, Offaly became very ragged as it wore on, giving away a lot of ball and making some unforced errrors.
Frees from Shane McCauley and Paul Kingston cut the deficit to the minimum with eight minutes left, but a determined Offaly held on.
OFFALY: M Carragher; C Lowry, E Rigney, C Donohoe; S Hannon, D Hogan, D Hanlon; N Graham (0-7, four frees, one 45), P Camon; S Cullen (0-1, free), D Kelly, P Cunningham (0-1); P McPadden (0-1), B Cushen, J O’Connor.
LAOIS: G Brody; S Murphy, K Bracken, R Dunne; J Bolton, A Ryan, M Dowling; J Farrell (0-1), L Kearney; S McCauley (0-1, free), D Byrne, D O’Connor (0-2); B Kenna, D Hayden (0-1), P Kingston (0-4, two frees). Subs: L McGovern for Kenna, N Mullen for Dowling (both half-time); J Campion for Byrne (43 mins).
Referee: E Craul (Wicklow).
In the other semi-final, Longford play Kildare this Sunday in Longford, with Offaly meeting the winner at Croke Park on Sunday, July 11th.
