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Kildare superior in all areas

Kildare 0-17 Offaly 0-4 : KILDARE MADE light work of a desperately uncompetitive Offaly to set up a semi-final with All-Ireland…

Mon Jan 16 2012 - 00:00

Kildare 0-17 Offaly 0-4: KILDARE MADE light work of a desperately uncompetitive Offaly to set up a semi-final with All-Ireland champions Dublin that has an exciting feel to it, even at this early juncture of the season.

The home side were dominant in every sector in Newbridge, proving too strong and quick in thought and deed in defence, midfield and attack.

New Offaly manager Gerry Cooney wasn’t in attendance due to a charity commitment arranged prior to his appointment and he won’t enjoy watching the video as his charges failed to score in the opening period, at the end of which they trailed by 10 points.

Ronan Sweeney, Eoghan O’Flaherty, Mikey Conway and James Kavanagh were all multiple scorers for the winners in that period, and while William and Alan Mulhall shared four points evenly after the resumption, Offaly were never in contention.

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Kildare manager, Kieran McGeeney expects it will be very different when the sides meet in the first round of the championship next June.

“Football, as we all know, is a funny game” he said. “You go out one day . . . things didn’t bounce for them. Last week, they scored (3-6).

“If you think that’s the way Offaly will perform come the championship we’d all be very silly. They’ll learn more from today than we did. We can’t do much about that.

“We’re a little disappointed we didn’t get a couple of goals, we set up the chances. Somebody’s going to punish us and that will come back to haunt us if we aren’t more clinical.”

KILDARE:S Connolly; P Kelly, C Fitzpatrick, O Lyons; B Flanagan, T O'Neill, E O'Flaherty (0-2, frees); D Flynn, R Sweeney (0-3); A Smith (0-3), M Conway (0-2, 0-1 free), T Moolick (0-1); J Kavanagh (0-5, 0-1 free), T O'Connor, K Ennis. Subs: M O'Flaherty (0-1) for Flanagan (45 mins); R Kelly for Ennis (45 mins); P Dunne for O'Connor (48 mins); H McGrillen for E O'Flaherty (53 mins); K Lynam for Guilfoyle (54 mins); C Brophy for Flynn (58 mins).

OFFALY:K Meehan; N Smith, P McConway, S Pender; D Kelly, B Darby, L Hiney; R Dalton, R Brady; G Guilfoyle, F Daly, A Keenaghan; W Mulhall (0-2), A Mulhall (0-2, 0-1 free), K Casey. Subs: G Treacy for Daly (28 mins); D Currams for Casey (28 mins); B Hanamy for Smith (43 mins); J Keane for Brady (inj, 60 mins).

Referee:D Goff (Meath).