Senior football champions 2011

Post date: Oct 13, 2011 9:43:29 AM

Offaly SFC Final:

Edenderry 0-9

Clara 0-8

Edenderry captured their tenth Offaly senior football championship title on Sunday with a one point win over Clara in O'Connor Park, Tullamore.

Edenderry played the first half with the aid of the wind after Clara had won the toss but opted to play against the wind. Clara opened the scoring after just twenty six seconds when John Reynolds pointed for the hawks. Edenderry got their first point after four minutes when Mark Young had an excellent one on one shot saved by Clara goalie Kevin Meehan. Edenderry had goalie Brian Quinlan to thank just moments later when he saved a great chance from Thomas Deehan with his outstretched foot. Thomas Deehan added Clara's second point in the sixth minute. Six minutes later Edenderry had another goal scoring chance but Keith McGuinness's effort was well blocked for a forth five. Edenderry captain Richie Dalton took responsibility and fired over the effort to level matters with twelve minutes gone and just one minute later a fantastic score from half forward Ciaran Hurley gave the reds the lead. Further points from Stephen Guing(22) and Richie Dalton(24) extended the reds lead to three points but three points from Thomas Deehan (two from frees) in the twenty eight, twenty ninth and thirty fourth minute left the game level at half time.

Half time:

Edenderry 0-5

Clara 0-5

Edenderry introduced veteran defender Johnny Hurst in place of Mark Young at half time. Clara again started the brightest and with forty seconds gone Thomas Deehan popped over his fifth point of the day, his third from a free. Richie Dalton levelled up matters with another fantastic free in the fifth minute after he was fouled. Four minutes later regained the lead, a lead they would never lose. Richie pointed from a free after a foul on Keith McGuinness. Eight minutes would pass before the next score when Stuart Cullen had the ball in the Clara net but play was called back and a penalty awarded for a foul on Ciaran Hurley. Edenderry re-introduced Mark Young in place of Martin Keogh to take the penalty but Mark's shot blazed over the bar for a point. Richie Dalton pointed Edenderry's final score in the twenty second minute. Edenderry made two substitutions reintroducing Martin Keogh and Sean Og Farrell for Ciaran Hurley and Stuart Cullen. With just two minutes left Thomas Deehan kicked his sixth point of the day. A Matt Mitchell '45 left the minimum between the sides but time ran out for Clara as Edenderry recorded a one point win.

This is a tremendous achievement for Edenderry and the club are delighted for the management and all the players who have put in so much hard work this year. Huge congratulations to all involved.

Team Sheet:

Brian Quinlan, Diarmaid Meleady, David Hanlon, Sean Pender, Colm Byrne, Stephen Guing(0-1), Wayne Mooney, Derek Kelly, Richie Dalton(0-5), Ciaran Hurley(0-1), Basil Malone, Keith McGuinness, Martin Keogh, Stuart Cullen, Mark Young(0-2)

Subs: Cormac Hurley, Johnny Hurst, Daniel Nolan, Colin McNamara, Sean Doyle, Sean Moriarty, Sean Og Farrell, Aaron O'Connell, Andrew Forde, Peter O'Neill, John Gorman, Stephen Abbott, Padraig Foy, Gary Blong, Cian Lawton, David Farrelly,