A ROUSE-ING DEBUT WIN FOR NEW FAITHFUL BOSS

Offaly 2-20 Antrim 1-15

AFTER a flamboyant and fearless attacking performance on the field, new Offaly manager Paul Rouse (above) was no less exuberant when he spoke after the game.

He hailed the renewed connection between his native county’s footballers and their supporters.

“You saw the reception they got at full-time with all the Offaly people on the field,” he said.

“The support we got from the crowd was outstanding, and it was everything they deserved. There’s some really good footballers in that dressing room, players who can be very good footballers if they keep at this. I actually can honestly say I’m just so happy that we’re through to the second round.” SCORERS – OFFALY: B Allen 1-3 (1f), J Moloney 0-4 (1f), N Dunne 0-3, J Evans 1-0, A Mulhall 0-2 (2f), S Tierney 0-2 (1f), C Mcnamee, B Darby, N Darby, S Nally, M Brazil and C Donohue 0-1 each. ANTRIM: P Mcbride 0-6 (3f), J Smith 1-0, R Murray 0-2 (1f), S Beatty and C Duffin 0-2 each, K Healy, P Mcaleer and M Mccarry 0-1 each.

n ANTRIM hurlers crashed out of the Joe Mcdonagh Cup yesterday as they slumped to Kerry.

The Saffrons lost 2-19 to 1-20 at Cushendall despite a promising start with Ciaran Clarke’s goal.

But the visitors grew stronger as the game progressed despite a 17-point haul from Neil Mcmanus.

Carlow and Westmeath will contest the final.