Cathal Flynn netted a goal for Offaly. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Tailteann Cup Group 2
Offaly 1-18 (1-0-18) Waterford 1-13 (1-3-7)
By Tomás McCarthy at Walsh Park
A second half strike from Cathal Flynn fired Offaly to back to back wins in the Tailteann Cup on a scorching Saturday afternoon in Walsh Park.
The Allianz Football League Division Three champions were pushed all the way by a determined Waterford side. Flynn's top corner finish on 49 minutes proved the difference in the end. Shane Tierney shot five points for the Faithful, while goalkeeper Paddy Dunican made a big save from Ciarán Walsh. Waterford netminder Aaron Beresford produced two superb second half stops. Jason Curry (0-6) and Michael O'Brien (0-4) also stood out for the Déise.
Despite firing nine wides, two short and two off the post, Offaly led 0-8 to 1-2 at the interval. In blazing sunshine, wing back Cormac Egan kicked the first point of the afternoon. In the fifth minute, a Stephen Curry shot fell to Dylan Guiry in front of goal and The Nire man made no mistake (1-0 to 0-1).
In the first quarter, the Faithful County kicked seven wides, struck the post and sent a ball short in the opening 12 minutes. Cillian Bourke and Aaron Kellaghan got them back on level terms. Michael O'Brien finished off a move involving Guiry and Conor Murray to edge the hosts back in front.
The Offaly wide tally increased to nine but points from corner forward Shane Tierney and corner back Daire McDaid sent the visitors ahead by the 25th minute (0-5 to 1-1). Two Jack Byrant efforts and one from Cathal Flynn extended the lead to four approaching the break. A Jason Curry free, Waterford's first score in 18 minutes, left it 0-8 to 1-2 at half time.
Curry struck again at the start of the second period. Déise goalkeeper Aaron Beresford dived to his right to deny Cillian Bourke. Adam Crawford blocked the rebound but Shane Tierney eventually fisted over.
Offaly netminder Paddy Dunican brilliantly denied Ciarán Walsh in a one on one at the other end. A mighty Michael O'Brien two pointer levelled the contest (1-6 to 0-9). Beresford again came to Waterford's rescue as he thwarted Cormac Egan.
The turning point came on 49 minutes when Offaly won a turnover ball and Cathal Flynn crashed the ball to the top corner of the net. Substitute Dylan Hyland added two points but was replaced after being shown a yellow card.
Déise sub Caolán MacCathmhaoil scored with his first touch. A Jason Curry two pointer left just a goal between them on 64 minutes. The away team closed it out with two Rory Egan points and one apiece by Jordan Hayes and Shane Tierney.
Scorers for Offaly: Shane Tierney 0-5 (1f), Cathal Flynn 1-1, Jordan Hayes, Jack Bryant, Dylan Hyland, Rory Egan 0-2 each, Daire McDaid, Cormac Egan, Cillian Bourke, Aaron Kellaghan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Waterford: Jason Curry 0-6 (1 2p, 1 45, 1f), Michael O'Brien 0-4 (1 2p, 1f), Dylan Guiry 1-0, Conor Murray 0-2 (2p), Caolán MacCathmhaoil 0-1.
Offaly: Paddy Dunican; Lee Pearson, David Dempsey, Daire McDaid; Diarmuid Egan, John Furlong, Cormac Egan; Jack McEvoy, Jordan Hayes; Kyle Higgins, Cathal Flynn, Cillian Bourke; Aaron Kellaghan, Jack Bryant, Shane Tierney.
Subs: Dylan Hyland for Kellaghan (47), Rory Egan for Cormac Egan (51), Ruairí McNamee for Hyland (59), Aaron Leavy for Furlong (69), Marcas Dalton for Diarmuid Egan (71).
Waterford: Aaron Beresford; Tommy Martin, Caoimhín Walsh, Billy Hynes; Conor Ó Cuirrín, Adam Crawford, Donie Fitzgerald; Joe Booth, Jason Curry; Michael O'Brien, James Power, Conor Murray; Stephen Curry, Ciarán Walsh, Dylan Guiry.
Subs: Rory Furlong for Stephen Curry (51), Alan Dunwoody for Fitzgerald (57), Caolán MacCathmhaoil for Guiry (63), Ciarán Looney for O'Brien (66), Loughlan Walsh for Ciarán Walsh (71).
Referee: Conor Lane (Cork).
