Offaly 4-18 Down 1-11: An excellent first-half display when playing against the strong wind helped Offaly to a comfortable 16-point victory over Down in the National Hurling League Division One A at St Brendan's Park, Birr, yesterday.
Offaly led 3-6 to 1-7 at the break and with that wind behind them in the second half took full advantage to record their first victory of the campaign.
They should have won by more but they registered 18 wides in all, 12 in the second half.
The best of the hurling came in the first half and Offaly took some lovely scores in that period.
The second half was scrappy and Offaly seemed to go off the boil a bit after their good opening 35 minutes.
The Offaly full-forward line did most of the damage, notching 4-9 of their side's final total. Joe Bergin and Derek Molloy grabbed two goals each. Indeed, both had opportunities to add further goals but failed to avail of those chances.
Down struggled in attack; their starting forwards managed only 1-1 from play. Of their 11 points, six were scored by the midfield pairing of Brendan McGourty and Andy Savage, while four more came from frees.
Offaly have several young players in a new-look side and are learning with each game. What they lack in experience they more than make up for in commitment, and if they could be a little more clinical in front of goal they could have a bright season ahead.
Offaly made a great start and aided by a Bergin goal led by 1-2 to 0-0 after just six minutes.
Down responded well and Emmet Trainor worked his way in for a goal after seven minutes. Andy Savage then reduced the gap to the minimum.
The sides exchanged points before Down levelled matters midway through the half. Offaly hit back, however, and Molloy netted twice in two minutes to put them well in control after 20 minutes.
Two McGourty points kept Down in touch but Offaly still led 3-6 to 1-7 at the interval.
Offaly added two points early in the second half before Bergin drilled a 20-metre free low to the net after 42 minutes and put the result beyond doubt.
Further points were added but the Offaly wides also mounted.
Down, who fought hard all through managed only four points in the second half, three from frees, and in the later stages Eddie Bevans, Brian Carroll, Barry Teehan and Gary Hanniffy landed points for Offaly to give them a comfortable win.
OFFALY: S O'Connor; C Hernon, P Cleary, M Verney; C Horan, K Brady, D Kenny; B Teehan (0-2), D Hoctor; E Bevans (0-3), R Hanniffy, G Hanniffy (0-3); B Carroll (0-4), D Molloy (2-0), J Bergin (2-5). Subs: B Murphy (0-1) for Hoctor, A Egan for R Hanniffy, C Parlon for Egan.
DOWN: Graham Clarke; L Clarke, S Murray, F Conway; Gabriel Clarke, P Hughes, M Ennis; A Savage (0-2), B McGourty (0-4); E McGuinness, E Trainor (1-0), D Flynn; M Coulter, G Johnson (0-5), E Clarke. Subs: P Coulter for M Coulter, S Ennis for McGuinness, A Dynes for Flynn, C Sloan for E Clarke, K Courtney for L Clarke.
Referee: F Smith (Meath).
