Down 0-14 2-21 Offaly

Jim McKernan's side are facing a relegation battle in Division 2

Two second-half goals from Shane Dooley helped table-toppers Offaly beat Down in the Allianz NHL Division 2 game.

Down held their own in the first half and led by two points (0-8 to 0-6) at one stage before Offaly levelled at 0-10 to 0-10 by half-time.

Offaly were 0-14 to 0-11 ahead when Dooley hit the crucial opening goal 14 minutes after half-time.

His second goal came nine minutes from time as Offaly maintained their 100% record in the division.

The defeat leaves Down on two points from four games and facing a battle to avoid the drop.

Down are currently third from bottom, two points ahead of Kerry and one clear of Westmeath, with all teams having three remaining games.

Paul Braniff hit four first-half frees for the Mourne County but he struggled to make an impact in open play.

There wasn't more than a point in it for most of the first half before scores from Braniff and the impressive Simon Wilson helped Down edge 0-8 to 0-6 ahead.

But points from Rory Hannify and the excellent Brian Carroll helped Offaly draw level by the interval.

Offaly raised their game after the break and Dooley's opening goal effectively ended Down's challenge.

Dooley top-scored for Offaly with 2-1 while Carroll notched six points - all from play.

Wilson hit five of Down's points with Braniff notching four frees.

However, Down didn't have the quality to compete with Offaly, and the continuing absence of Brendan McGourty and, particularly, Gareth Johnston is hitting the Mourne County hard.

Both have had to leave Ireland in order to find work.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version