Cunningham strike decisive

MIKEY CUNNINGHAM’S goal in the 45th minute was the difference in Aughrim.

Offaly had one goal chance and they took it, Wicklow had three goal chances and took none.

Wicklow started better, racking up a four-point lead after 12 minutes.

Eoin Darcy made up for an earlier missed goal chance with two lovely points from play but for all their dominance Wicklow let Offaly backintothegameandthe sides were level at six points apiece by the 20th minute.

Wicklow reopened a two-point lead coming up to half-time, however they lost the influential Andy Foley to a straight red card in the final action of the half.

Wicklow extended their lead early in the second half only for Offaly to use their man advantage and reel off four in a row to level the game.

When Cunningham found the net they led for the first time.

Wicklow had a couple of goal chances in the final quarter but last-ditch defending sent Offaly home with the victory.

SCORERS – Offaly: MCunningham1-1,JBryant0-3, M Tynan, S Courtney, D Lowry 0-2 each, R Egan (f), E Cullen, A Kellaghan 0-1 each. Wicklow: J Keogh, M Ging0-3(3f)each,SCranley,EDarcy0-2each,KQuinn, S Doody, A Barrett, S Daly 0-1 each.

OFFALY – S O’Toole; A Brazil, K Dolan, B Nolan; E Cullen, R Egan, H Balsiger; C Donoghue, M Tynan; P Bennett, S Courtney, M Cunningham; J Bryant, D Lowry, A Kellaghan. Subs: L Egan for P Bennett (12), LPearsonforABrazil(45),CDelaneyforAKellaghan (50), B Coffey for J Bryant (55).

WICKLOW – N Gaffney; F O’Carroll, D Lawlor, C McHugh; K Quinn, O Cullen, G Fogarty; S Doody, E Byrne;SCranley,JKeogh,ABarrett;MGing,EDarcy, A Foley. Subs: C Grimes for C McHugh, S Daly for S Cranley (both h-t), T Moran for F O’Carroll (45), R Tomkins for M Ging (53), C Maguire for O Cullen (57). REF – A Coyne (Westmeath)