Waterford 0-21
Offaly 1-14
A MAURICE SHANAHAN-inspired Waterford got the better of Offaly in the All-Ireland SHC qualifier at O’Connor Park this evening.
The Lismore forward was the star of the show in Tullamore – scoring 13 points (5 from frees) as the Deise shook off an early Offaly goal to progress to the next round.
Throw-in was delayed by five minutes and when proceedings did get underway, it was the Faithful who struck first with Shane Dooley finding the back of the net after four minutes.
However, Waterford soon took the lead midway through the first half and went into the break with a four point cushion.
In front of 8,200 fans, Offaly began the second half with the breeze and pulled themselves back to within a point of their opponents. Shanahan then took centre stage again, firing over a number of frees to widen the gap once again.
Waterford goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe pulled off an outstanding save from Dan Currams’s first time effort on 67 minutes to dash any hopes of a late comeback as Michael Ryan’s side saw out a four-point win.
They play Westmeath in the next round.
Scorers for Offaly: Shane Dooley 1-4 (4fs), Brian Carroll 0-2, Kevin Brady 0-2, Joe Bergin 0-2, Dan Currams 0-2, Conor Mahon 0-1.
Scorers for Waterford: Maurice Shanahan 0-13 (5fs), Brian O’Sullivan 0-3, Jake Dillon 0-2, Paudie Prendergast 0-1, Kevin Moran 0-1, Shane O’Sullivan 0-1.
OFFALY: James Dempsey; Chris McDonald, David Kenny, Dermot Mooney; Rory Hanniffy, Ger Healion, Derek Morkan; Brian Carroll,Kevin Brady; Colin Egan, Derek Molloy, Ciaran Slevin; Shane Dooley, Dan Currams, Joe Bergin.
WATERFORD: Stephen O’Keeffe; Shane Fives, Liam Lawlor, Noel Connors; Jamie Nagle, Michael Walsh, Darragh Fives; Paudie Prendergast, Kevin Moran; Jake Dillon, Seamus Prendergast, Shane O’Sullivan; Jamie Barron, Maurice Shanahan, Brian O’Sullivan.
