Allianz Football League Division Two

Galway 2-17 Offaly 3-10

By Cian O’Connell at Pearse Stadium

Gaining confidence and momentum, Galway chalked up a fourth league win on the spin in Salthill.

Prompted by captain Seán Kelly and Damien Comer, who registered 1-3, Galway just had too much power and poise for the spirited visitors’.

A blistering Galway start yielded 1-2 without reply in the first eight minutes as Padraic Joyce’s team settled quickly.

Matthew Tierney rifled over a couple of points before fashioning a goal chance for Damien Comer, who drilled an opportunistic goal.

Offaly, though, were hearty summoning a response as Dylan Hyland contributed a point which was followed by an 11th minute Bernard Allen major.

Five of the next seven points were clipped by Galway with Seán Kelly and Paul Conroy influential.

Those scores edged Galway four ahead, but Offaly were spirited trimming the deficit down to 1-8 to 1-6 at half-time.

In the third quarter Galway, with Rob Finnerty prominent, dominated edging 1-14 to 1-7 clear by the 50th minute.

Offaly received an injection of hope when Ruairi McNamee pounced to net a goal from the rebound after Niall McNamee’s initial attempt had struck the woodwork.

That score had the margin down to four again, but Galway replied with Seán Kelly driving forward to plant a goal.

Deep into additional time Offaly pinched a consolation goal when Anton Sullivan converted a penalty after a Liam Silke foul on Jack Bryant.

Next Saturday’s Páirc Esler tussle between Down and Offaly will carry deep importance in the battle to avoid relegation. Promotion chasing Galway host Clare at Tuam Stadium on Sunday as the league enters a critical phase.

Scorers for Galway: Damien Comer 1-3, Seán Kelly 1-1, Rob Finnerty 0-4 (1f), Matthew Tierney 0-3, Paul Conroy 0-2, John Daly, Paul Kelly, Tomo Culhane, and Finnian Ó Laoi 0-1 each.

Scorers for Offaly: Anton Sullivan 1-3 (1-0 pen) Bernard Allen 1-2, Ruairi McNamee 1-0, Dylan Hyland and Niall McNamee (2fs) 0-2 each, Mark Abbott 0-1 each.

Galway: Connor Gleeson; Liam Silke, Seán Kelly, Jack Glynn; Conor Campbell, John Daly, Johnny Heaney; Dylan McHugh, Paul Conroy; Matthew Tierney, Shane Walsh, Cathal Sweeney; Rob Finnerty, Damien Comer, Dessie Conneely.

Subs: Paul Kelly for Campbell (27), Finnian Ó Laoi for Sweeney (27), Johnny McGrath for Heaney (47), Eoin Finnerty for Walsh (60), Tomo Culhane for S Kelly (62).

Offaly: Ian Duffy; Declan Hogan, James Lalor, Niall Darby; Rory Egan, David Dempsey, Colm Doyle; Bill Carroll, Jordan Hayes; Dylan Hyland, Cathal Mangan, Mark Abbott; Bernard Allen, Niall McNamee, Ruari McNamee.

Subs: Lee Pearson for Doyle (46), Cathal Donoghue for Carroll (50), Jack Bryant for Allen (52), Anton Sullivan for R McNamee (52), Keith O’Neill for N McNamee (67).

Referee: David Murnane.