LONDON UPSET FAITHFUL TO LAND RARE WIN
LONDON had a sensational victory over Offaly in the Tailteann Cup at O’Connor Park.
The visitors were full value for the win – their first in the championship in 11 years – and weren’t flattered by the 14-point margin.
It was a shocking display by Offaly, who got nowhere near the level they needed.
London frustrated Offaly in the first half and attacked at pace. While Cathal Donoghue gave Offaly the lead after a minute, it was clear they were in difficulty early on. London got the next four points, three from man-ofthe-match Ciaran Diver.
Offaly scored three unanswered points to level it up after 20 minutes, while Keith O’Neill had a goal questionably ruled out. London fully deserved their 0-8 to 0-6 halftime lead.
Quick points from Aidan McLoughlin and Shay Rafter put the Exiles four ahead by the 37th minute and they never looked like losing from here. They scrambled 49th minute goal from Stephen Dornan go 1-13 to 0-9 up.
London then played their best football and Diver added a second goal, while Offaly had sub Dan Molloy red carded.
SCORERS – London: C Diver 1-5 (3f), S Rafter 0-4, S Dornan 1-1, D Clarke, R Rafferty and J Obahor 0-2 each, E Walsh, A McLoughlin, L Gallagher (f) and M Carroll 0-1 each. Offaly: D Hyland 0-4 (2f), J Bryant (1f) and N Dunne (1f) 0-2 each, I Duffy (45), P Cunningham, E Carroll (mark), C Donoghue 0-1 each. OFFALY: I Duffy; L Pearson, D Dempsey, J Furlong; C Egan, P Cunningham, R Egan; E Carroll, C Donoghue; D Hyland, C Flynn, J Hayes; C Farrell, K O’Neill, J Bryant.
Subs: J O’Brien for R Egan (42), N Dunne for Flynn (44), R McNamee for Farrell (47), N Poland for Donoghue (50), D Molloy for Dempsey (66).
LONDON: A Walsh; E Walsh, D Rooney, C McKeon; O Kerr, S Rafter, A McLoughlin; S Dornan, L Gallagher; M Carroll, D Clarke, C Diver; J Obahor, R Rafferty, F Eastwood.
Subs: M Miller for Kerr (57), C Healy for McLoughlin (60), T Barry for McKeon (63), DJ O’Flaherty for Rafter (63), J McGill for Rafferty (71).
REFEREE: D O’Mahoney (Tipperary).