Offaly footballers keep survival hopes alive with crucial win in Wexford

Offaly hold off late charge from 14 man Wexford to claim two crucial points

Offaly Express Reporter


Offaly Express Reporter


Offaly Ladies Football Finals

Offaly footballers keep survival hopes alive with crucial win in Wexford

Allianz Football League Division 3

Wexford 1-10 Offaly 1-13

Offaly footballers kept their hopes of surviving in Division 3 of the Allianz Football League alive with a three point win away to Wexford on Saturday afternoon in Enniscorthy.

It was Offaly's first win of the game and they had to overcome the concession of a late goal to their hosts to seal the win. While they still have work to do in their last two games, the win gives Offaly hope and they could yet find themselves out of the relegation places this weekend depending on how Sligo perform against Longford.

Wexford were quicker out of the blocks with the opening two points of the game before Nigel Dunne opened Offaly's account. Offaly had more chances to add to their total before Dunne leveled the scores with 13 minutes on the clock.

Offaly spurned more scoring opportunities before Michael Brazil put them in front for the first time in the game. 

Scores were at a premium but Nigel Dunne added his third of the half after 25 minutes to put Offaly two clear.

The game turned when Cian Donohoe hit the back of the Wexford net with Niall Darby adding a point to leave Offaly 1-5 to 0-2 clear after the half hour mark. 

Wexford were then reduced to 14 men when Ben Brosnan was sent off but they pulled a point back before the break with Offaly missing more scoring opportunities.

Despite being a man down, Wexford clawed back their deficit early in the second-half as Offaly's lead was reduced to three at 1-6 to 0-6.

The sides continued to exchange points and the score stood at 1-9 to 0-9 in Offaly's favour but Stephen Wallace's men eventually began to pull away and they were 1-11 to 0-9 clear entering the last ten minutes of the game. 

However Wexford, who were also looking for their first win of the campaign, were not finished yet as Nick Doyle reduced the gap to just two with a late goal.

But Offaly stuck to their task and points from Nigel Dunne and Shane Tierney saw them over the line.

Offaly face Sligo at home next Sunday and a win in that game would even further increase their chances of maintaining their place in Division 3 next year. Sligo face Longford tomorrow.