Offaly Overcome Tipperary To Reach Promotion Playoff

Saturday, 29 May 2021 16:54

They'll now face Fermanagh with the winner promoted to Division Two.

A surge after the second half water break has propelled Offaly into the promotion playoff in the Allianz Football League Division 3.

Deadlocked at 1-11 a piece, stalwart Niall McNamee would kick 0-3 with further scores from David Dempsey, Bill Carroll and Paddy Dunican seeing the faithful run out 1-17 to 1-12 winners over the Premier County.

It avenges a three point defeat in the league last season.

Both teams traded points to start the contest before a crucial goal from the boot of Cian Farrell, the full forward getting on the end of a lovely move involving Shane Horan and Cathal Mangan.

The home side kicked on from there and points from Anton Sullivan and Bernard Allen allowed them to establish a 1-6 to 0-4 lead after 20 minutes.

This roused the Tipperary bench and they made a number of substitutions in order to quell a potent Offaly forward line.

To be fair they dug in thereafter and replied with a series of points before a well struck goal from star-man Conor Sweeney saw them hit the front just before half-time.

Result. Allianz Football League Div 3@Offaly_GAA 1-17@TipperaryGAA 1-12

YES!! Superb win for Offaly - we have topped the table with full points from three games and advance to the semi-final.
Superb performance - great stuff lads#UibhFhailiAbu pic.twitter.com/CIhMtrGfE9
— Official Offaly GAA (@Offaly_GAA) May 29, 2021

It became a tense tit for tat contest to begin the second period and up to the water break both sets of forwards traded points, Anton Sullivan, Bernard Allen and Paddy Dunican troubling the scoreboard for the hosts.

John Maughan's side will have a real shot at promotion now against the Ernesiders who squeaked into second position in the Northern section courtesy of a draw against Longford and Cavan's defeat of Derry.

Our Offaly football commentator Brian Gavin caught up with John Maughan after the game:

Scorers for Offaly: Cian Farrell (1-3), Bernard Allen (0-3), Niall McNamee (0-3), Anton Sullivan (0-3), Paddy Dunican (0-3), Bill Carroll (0-1), David Dempsey (0-1).