BLUE RESERVES HELD AS OFFALY STAGE REVIVAL
HOLDERS Dublin are on the verge of crashing out of this competition after letting victory slip through their hands at Parnell Park last night. An experimental panel, managed by Paul Clarke for the second year running, relinquished a four-point lead with 10 minutes remaining. Teenager Cian Johnson, who top scored for Offaly with six points, did all the damage late on with two precious points, including the equaliser. The result leaves Stephen Wallace’s Offaly in a strong position after hammering Wexford by 16 points last weekend. Dublin now need to win by an even greater margin when they play Wexford in Enniscorthy on Sunday to make it through to the semi-finals. Dublin’s three-in-a-row winning heroes are currently on holidays in South Africa so Brian Howard was the only player from last summer involved for this encounter. He played at centre-back though it was Colm Basquel who impressed most for the Dubs, scoring 1-6 in a lively performance. Ballyboden’s Basquel, who last started for Dublin against Tyrone in the National League last year, dovetailed superbly with Killian O’Gara in the opening period when he claimed 1-3. Gerry Seaver and Kieran Doherty stepped up with scores too as Dublin hit the interval with a 1-8 to 0-6 lead. Offaly were much improved in the second half and reduced their arrears to two in the third quarter before Dublin were steadied with Shane Carthy and Basquel points. The hosts retained a four-point advantage with 10 minutes to go but Johnson was terrific and picked off some excellent late scores.