Offaly travelled to Abbottstown on Wednesday the 16th of May for the third round of the Celtic Challenge competition against Wexford.
Ciaran Mannion was replaced by Joe Ryan due to unforeseen circumstances and was the only change made to the starting 15.
Both teams were struggling to get into the game resulting in a very poor, low scoring first half.
It took nearly eight minutes before the first score was put on the scoreboard courtesy of a free taken by Mark Cahill.
Wexford decided to come back with a goal only a couple of minutes later. With ten minutes left in the first half Offaly made some substitutions hoping to get a few more scores before the half time whistle but instead Wexford got another goal and two points leaving Offaly with a lot to think about at halftime.
Wexford got the first score of the second half after a minute in but with eight points down Offaly never gave up and fought back hard and strong.
Mark Cahill got Offaly’s first two points of the second half followed soon after by a super point by Joe Ryan.
With Offaly starting to dominate the second half and winning the opposition puck outs, it meant they were closing the gap quick and fast.
Wexford only got 4 points in the second half all of which came from play, while Mark Kennedy and Dan Murray both got two points each from play for Offaly.
There was only six minutes left in the match when Offaly got a penalty. Gearoid McCormack came up from his centre back position to take the penalty and ensure it was buried in the back of the net and that is exactly what he did making this anyone’s game.
Offaly got another point from Mark Kennedy just before Wexford stuck back with a goal and putting Wexford ahead by two points.
We were now gone into injury time and Offaly received a 65 that Mark Cahill had no problem popping straight over the bar. Fortunately for Offaly they received a free which Mark Cahill did not hesitate putting over the bar resulting in a draw match. Final Score Offaly 1-12 Wexford 3-06.
Well done to Niall Lyons on winning the best and fairest award for Offaly and A speedy recovery to Peter Cleary who got a nasty injury during the match.
