Wallace left to rue Offaly’s poor start

OFFALY manager Stephen Wallace admitted his side’s poor start had cost them the chance of a moraleboosting victory over Derry in Celtic Park. The visitors found themselves 1-6 to no score behind after only 14 minutes with Emmett Bradley tapping home the Derry goal in a whirlwind start from the home side. Despite the deficit though, Offaly recovered to come within two points of their hosts on multiple occasions before the second-half introduction of Mark Lynch and James Kielt helped take Derry over the line for a first League victory of the season, which also leaves the Faithful County still searching for their first points. ‘The start cost us,’ admitted Wallace, ‘It was 1-6 to no score and you’re always going to struggle from there but I’m proud of the lads because they kept at it. We chipped away but we were always going to be facing an uphill battle against a nine-point lead. ‘It was a massive improvement and I am proud of them for sticking at it but, we have to start better or we will lose a lot more games than we win.’ The victory gives Derry manager Damian McErlain some breathing space ahead of next week’s tough trip to Brewster Park. ‘We knew that it was a big game coming in to it,’ said McErlain, ‘but the whole thing is a work in progress. Last week, the week before, it is all about progressing. We are working to try and get things together but it’s great to get off the mark.’

DERRY: O Hartin; M McEvoy (A Bradley 70), K Johnston, R Mooney; M Bateson (D Tallon h-t), C McWilliams, C Doherty; C McAtamney, E Bradley; P McGrogan, E Lynn, B Heron (J Kielt 42); P Hagan (M Lynch 42), T O’Brien, N Toner. Scorers: E Bradley 1-5 (0-3f), E Lynn 0-3, N Toner 0-2 (1f), M Bateson, T O’Brien, M Lynch, D Tallon, J Kielt 0-1. OFFALY: B Rohan; D Hogan, P McConway, D Brady (J Lalor 29); D Dempsey, S Pender, N Darby; P Cunnigham, C Dunne (S Tierney h-t); B O’Dea (C Carroll h-t), M Brazil, S Nally (J Hayes 19, BC, S Doyle 67); B Allen, A Sullivan, N Dunne. Scorers: N Dunne 0-7 (5f), B Allen (1f), D Hogan 0-2, B O’Dea, S Tierney 0-1. REFEREE: J Gilmartin (Sligo).