Strong second-half show is key to Déise success
Waterford's Shane Bennett gets his handpass away as he tries to avoid the challenge of Offaly's Colin Spain during their Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A clash at Azzurri Walsh Park. Photos: INPHO
Waterford recorded back-to-back wins at Azzurri Walsh Park at the expense of Offaly, as a strong second-half showing secured the two points on offer for the Déise.
Reuben Halloran was the star of the show with 1-12, while goalkeeper Billy Nolan made two fine saves at the other end.
The sides were level on three occasions in a first half where there was little to separate them.
Reuben Halloran opened the scoring on 4 minutes when he was fouled by Brecon Kavanagh and picked himself up to fire over the free, but Adam Screeney was on hand to level for Offaly moments later.
Déise goalkeeper Billy Nolan then played a quick short free and drove upfield before unleashing a belter from the left flank to restore the hosts’ advantage. Great interplay from Brian Lynch and Jamie Barron allowed the latter to double their advantage, before two frees apiece from Screeney and Halloran.
Calum Lyons notched just the second score from play on 18 minutes thanks to excellent play from Patrick Curran, but Luke Watkins offered an immediate reply for the visitors. A beautiful score over the shoulder from Screeney reduced arrears to two, before Oisin Kelly swivelled and split the posts to reduce arrears to the minimum.
Halloran nailed another dead ball to keep Waterford ticking, but they were soon biting their fingernails as Screeney fortuitously got in behind Daniel Lalor, but Nolan produced a brilliant save to tip his effort over the bar.
Offaly drew level approaching the half hour as Conor Keane was penalised for holding, and Screeney stepped up and made no mistake to make it 0-8 apiece. Waterford were struggling to create momentum, but nearly mustered a goal of their own as a long Nolan free was caught by Curran, with Tom O’Connell’s goalbound effort couldn’t get past Brecon Kavanagh.
Halloran pointed the requisite ‘65 for his sixth score of the half, but Offaly drew level again approaching the interval when Brian Duignan rose highest in a crowd before blazing a goalbound effort just over the crossbar.
A fine effort from Michael Kiely as he drifted outfield ensured the Déise the minimum advantage - 0-10 to 0-9 - at the interval, but Peter Queally’s men knew they were in a real battle.
Halloran and Screeney traded frees after the break, before Waterford hit a crucial purple patch where they struck 1-5 without reply.
The returning Stephen Bennett sliced over a stunner to get things moving, before Eoghan Cahill caught a sideline and passed to Duignan, whose effort was brilliantly blocked by Nolan on 45 minutes.
A Halloran free calmed any Déise nerves before Barron cleverly played in Curran to extend the advantage to four. Iarlaith Daly and man-of-the-match Conor Keane began to win the aerial battle, and this proved a real turning point - Halloran notched another 65, and he was on hand to raise the sole green flag on 54 minutes.
Jamie Barron found Calum Lyons in space and he picked out the onrushing Halloran to his left, and the De La Salle forward made no mistake in picking out the bottom right corner to bring the contest to an effective close.
Offaly responded well to their credit as another Halloran 65 was cancelled out by Dan Bourke, their first score in 24 minutes. Substitute David Nally and two Screeney frees, either side of a Sean Walsh strike, restored some morale, but two late strikes from Halloran brought the Déise’s tally to 1-19 as they deservedly won out with six to spare.
Reuben Halloran (1-12; 0-9f; 0-3 ‘65); Stephen Bennett, Jamie Barron, Calum Lyons, Billy Nolan, Patrick Curran, Michael Kiely and Sean Walsh (0-1 each)
Adam Screeney (0-10; 0-8f); Dan Ravenhill (0-1; 0-1f); Brian Duignan, Dan Bourke, Luke Watkins, David Nally and Eoghan Cahill (0-1 each)
Billy Nolan; Aaron O’Neill, Daniel Lalor,, Conor Keane; Brian Lynch, Iarlaith Daly, Shane Bennett; Carthach Daly, Darragh Lyons; Tom O’Connell, Jamie Barron, Calum Lyons; Reuben Halloran, Michael Kiely, Patrick Curran.
Mark Fitzgerald for Carthach Daly (HT); Stephen Bennett for Tom O’Connell (HT); Charlie Treen for Patrick Curran (57); Sean Mackey for Daniel Lalor (60); Sean Walsh for Michael Kiely (63); Mairtín Power for Conor Keane (68)
Mark Troy; Ben Miller, Ben Conneely, Sam Bourke; Dan Ravenhill, Brecon Kavanagh, Ross Ravenhill; Luke Watkins, Cathal King; Ter Guinan, Dan Bourke, Oisin Kelly; Eoghan Cahill, Brian Duignan, Adam Screeney.
Jack Clancy for Ross Ravenhill (35); Colin Spain for Ter Guinan (55); Ciaran Clancy for Luke Watkins (57); David Nally for Eoghan Cahill (61); Luke Nolan for Adam Screeney (70)
Chris Mooney (Dublin)
