Offaly 5-23 Down 3-25
Down staged a dramatic late comeback mission in Ballycran, but Offaly survived to depart with the full complement of Joe McDonagh Cup spoils.
Johnny Kelly’s charges accumulated a 5-20 to 0-24 advantage before a Daithi Sands inspired Down thundered back into the reckoning late on.
Three goals from Sands narrowed the deficit, but Offaly, already qualified for the decider, eventually prevailed following an exciting finish.
Jack Clancy’s first half major ensured Offaly went in 1-12 to 0-14 ahead at the break.
After the restart James Nally, Brian Duignan, Clancy, and Oisín Kelly netted further goals for Offaly, who moved 11 points clear.
A determined Down outfit summoned a gutsy response with Sands supplying a hat-trick of goals.
It wasn’t enough, though, to deny the Faithful, who meet Laois in next month’s final at Croke Park.
Scorers for Offaly: B Duigan 1-9 (3fs), O Kelly 1-3, J Clancy 2-1, J Nally 1-2, E Cahill and E Kelly 0-2 each, D King, L Watkins, S Burke, and R Ravenhill 0-1 each.
Scorers for Down: D Sands 3-2, P Shehan 0-10 (9fs, 1 65), P Og McCrickard 0-5, E Sands 0-2, C Taggart 0-2 and T McGrattan 0-2 each, D Hughes and R McCrickard 0-1 each.
By Offaly PRO Sun 26th May
