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Offaly continue to impress

Offaly... 2-17 Cork 1-17: Offaly secured a memorable win over previously unbeaten Cork in a highly entertaining clash in Birr…

Mon Mar 24 2003 - 00:00

Offaly ... 2-17 Cork 1-17: Offaly secured a memorable win over previously unbeaten Cork in a highly entertaining clash in Birr on Saturday.

Fresh from their success over Limerick, Mike McNamara's new-look Offaly gave another encouraging display, despite lining out without their Birr players, although Stephen Brown came on as a substitute.

Wind-assisted, Offaly raced into a 0-8 to 0-1 lead as Colm Cassidy, Brian Carroll, Neville Coughlan, Damien Murray and Conor Gath found their range. However, by half-time their lead had been cut to four points, 0-12 to 0-8.

On the resumption, Cork drew level courtesy of points by Joe Deane, Jason Barrett and Eoin Fitzgerald. The contest exploded to life as Offaly regained the lead with a brilliant 50th-minute Damien Murray goal.

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Cork, determined to preserve their winning ways, hit the front in the 56th minute when Alan Browne sent a blistering shot past Stephen Byrne to give Cork the lead for the first time, 1-14 to 1-13. But Offaly came back stronger than ever as Murray tied matters at 1-14 and Michael Cordial fired Offaly in front.

The crucial score came in the 60th minute. Stephen Brown's delivery was dropped by Cork goalkeeper Paul Morrissey and Brian Carroll finished to the net. Cassidy and Brendan Murphy added points as Offaly raced six points ahead, 2-17 to 1-14.

Cork rallied strongly, scoring late points through Mark Prendergast, Neil Ronan and John Gardiner, but it wasn't enough.

OFFALY: S Byrne; K Brady, G Oakley, B Teehan; C Cassidy (0-3, 0-1 free, 0-2 65's), J Brady, D Franks (0-1); M Cordial (0-1), A Hanrahan; B Carroll (1-3), N Coughlan (0-2), B Murphy (0-1); C Gath (0-1), K Kelly, D Murray (1-5, 0-4 frees). Subs: S Brown for Kelly (43 mins), S Weir for Gath (50 mins), A Mannion for Hanrahan (66 mins).

CORK: P Morrissey; W Sherlock, P Mulcahy, M Prendergast (0-1); J Gardiner (0-4, 0-2 frees, 0-2 65's), R Curran, S Óg Ó hAilpín; J Barrett (0-2), P Tierney; N McCarthy (0-1), M Morrissey, E Fitzgerald (0-2); S McGrath (0-2), J Deane (0-4, 0-3 frees, 0-1 penalty), A Browne (1-0). Subs: M O'Connell for Tierney (half-time), S Ó hAilpín for McCarthy (45 mins), N Ronan (0-1) for McGrath (52 mins), K Murphy for Morrissey (63 mins).

Referee: T McIntyre (Antrim).