Offaly victory confirms crucial winner-takes-all relegation clash

EXPERIENCED forwards Joe Bergin and Shane Dooley hit a combined 4-4 as Offaly claimed their first points of the League campaign with a deserved sevenpoint victory over Carlow in a game which started in a downpour and ended in a snowstorm at Netwatch Cullen Park yesterday.

This result means that these two counties must meet again on Sunday next in O’Connor Park, Tullamore to decide which of them faces relegation to Division 2A. The outcome also means that Laois, despite losing to Dublin, qualify for the NHL quarter-finals.

Carlow’s problems started as early as the fourth minute when Joe Bergin’s tame shot slipped past home goalkeeper Brian Tracey for a soft goal. Carlow fought back, depending exclusively on Marty Kavanagh frees for their opening five points, but at half-time the Faithful county led 1-5 to 0-6.

Although Carlow made a bright start to the second half they were hit with two sucker punches in the space of a minute as first an Offaly ‘65 found its way to the net, with Shane Dooley getting the final touch, before confusion in the Carlow defence allowed Dooley to turn provider for Bergin to turn in.

Carlow’s misery was complete when a ball from outfield evaded the defence for Dooley to score his second goal, and they could only take a point from two penalties as first Marty Kavanagh’s shot rose over the Offaly bar and a second was sent wide by Tracey.

Offaly were the better side on the day and worthy of their win, and they will now feel confident of maintaining their Division 1B status on home soil next Sunday.

Faithful boss Kevin Martin said: “It was not a day for hurling – it was mucky and sloppy. Hurling should not be played on days like this. The job is only half done for Offaly – we have to stay up. Our guys knew their backs were to the wall. We are fighting for survival.”

He also appealed to Offaly supporters to come out in force for Sunday’s vital relegation play-off.

Colm Bonnar, the Carlow boss, said: “Offaly adapted to the conditions better but we did not take our chances. We have to dust ourselves down and go into Offaly’s back yard.”