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A narrow but crucial win for Offaly today. The division table looks tasty now.
Ourselves are and Wasties are set for a final day promotion shoot out.

Any match reports?

It's a pity that we couldn't see both games do, have the g.a.a. no common sense to organize the fixtures that both the hurling and the football at the same venue. Be it in offaly or waterford

Apparently wasn't pretty but a win is a win and this 2 points gives us every chance of promotion.

So, it's off to Mullingar next Sunday in the final game of this years league when we take on Westmeath in a winner takes all afair in terms of a league final place and promotion to Division 2 for 2012.

Mulhall saves Offaly with superb stops

GAA: NFL DIVISION THREE: Offaly 1-14 Waterford 1-12: A THRILLING game eventually went Offaly’s way at Faher Field, Dungarvan, yesterday thanks to a brace of points in the closing minutes. However it was the brilliant goalkeeping of Alan Mulhall and the freetaking of Ciarán McManus that enabled Offaly to win.

Waterford led 1-7 to 0-4 after 21 – their goal fisted home by Patrick Hurney on 17 minutes. Offaly responded with a superb goal by defender Seán Pender to give his side a 1-7 to 1-6 lead at the interval.

Mulhall kept out piledrivers from Mark Ferncombe in the 51st minute and Eamonn Walsh 58 minutes and McManus and Brian Connor rifled over points in the closing minutes.

OFFALY : A Mulhall; B Darby, S Brady, S Pender (1-0); S Sullivan, K Slattery, J Keane; R Dalton, B Connor (0-2); G Guilfoyle (0-1), N McNamee (0-1), C McManus (0-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 45); T Deehan (0-3, frees), J Reynolds (0-1), K Casey. Subs: J Coughlan for Casey (55 mins), B Allen for Deehan (63 mins), N Dunne for McNamee (68 mins), R Brady for Reynolds (69 mins).

WATERFORD : K Cotter; M O’Gorman, T O’Gorman, K Connery; W Hennessy (0-1), S Briggs, J Hurney; E Walsh, B Phelan (0-1); P Hurney (1-2), B Wall (0-4, frees), T Connors; S Fleming (0-3), T Prendergast (0-1), M Ferncombe. Subs: C O’Keeffe for Connors (half-time); T Grey for Briggs (58 mins); K Power for Walsh (58 mins); M O’Gorman for Phelan (67 mins).

Referee : C Lane (Cork).

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/spo ... 33785.html

Bring on Westmeath!!!
A draw should be good enough

Play like the did at the weekend and Westmeath will hammer them in Cusack park. They were very lucky to get away with a win.

Pat Flanagan has jumped the fence to Westmeath and his insider knowledge of the Offaly players will be a major advantage for Westmeath.

The home loss to Tipp I think will be coming back to haunt this team.

[quote="Long John"]Play like the did at the weekend and Westmeath will hammer them in Cusack park. They were very lucky to get away with a win.

As Offaly head into this weeks must win Game against neighbours and rivals Westmeath its important to remember that all results up to now are gone as is the form guide Westmeath have performed very simular to Offaly so far in the League, so for Long John to make continued unsupportive comments as always either directly at individual players or the Team are not what Offaly Footballers need this weekend as this game and promotion to Division Two would be huge for Offaly going Forward, lets get in behind the Team and waiting(even hoping)for them to fail

Real Rob wrote:

Long John wrote:Play like the did at the weekend and Westmeath will hammer them in Cusack park. They were very lucky to get away with a win.

As Offaly head into this weeks must win Game against neighbours and rivals Westmeath its important to remember that all results up to now are gone as is the form guide Westmeath have performed very simular to Offaly so far in the League, so for Long John to make continued unsupportive comments as always either directly at individual players or the Team are not what Offaly Footballers need this weekend as this game and promotion to Division Two would be huge for Offaly going Forward, lets get in behind the Team and waiting(even hoping)for them to fail

Tom is that yourself?

On the one hand I would broadly agree that there were aspects of the game at the weekend that were somewhat troubling, however I would see a lot more to be happy about right now.

(1) In a competitive league, we have our destiny in our own hands, despite not always firing on all cylinders.
(2) Richie Dalton, Stephen Lonergan when fit, Bernard Allen and Brian Connor have all played really well generally. We've actually brought along players well during this league campaign, something that wasn't always the case.
(3) This week we scored 1-14. The previous week we scored a similar tally despite turning over the ball regularly. We didnt' score as much in Drogheda, but we did hit a lot of wides. Overall we are creating scoring chances.
(4) Our forwards are scoring despite the fact that Niall McNamee is most certainly off form. We know Niall is a class act but whether it's due to lack of rest or whatever, he's not pulling up any trees right now. Once upon a time that would have been instant doom.
(5) In Anton Sullivan, Ross Brady and Stephen Lonergan there are players of real quality to come back in.

Call me over optimistic if you want but I think this is a good place to be in for early April.

Would have to agree with LS on the above. We have won 4 games out of 6 whilst not setting the world alight. Our strongest asset the last few years has been our home form which has deserted us this year. As Long John said earlier, the defeat to Tipp could come back to haunt us.

Have been to both the game's in Drogheda and Dungarvan and the one thing that sticks out for me is the way the team seem very together and working for each other. We should have had Louth beaten at half time with all the chances we missed but they plugged away and we were very lucky to get anything out of the game Sunday but we didnt panic and we kept our heads when Waterford put us under fierce pressure in the last 5 minutes. If Waterford took their points instead of trying for goals, we would have lost.

Sunday is going to be a battle royal and even though its only April, it will tell a whole lot about where we are. If we want it badly, we will win. Remembering Tullamore in 2008 should be enough incentive to beat Wastemeath.

bracknaghboy wrote:

Real Rob wrote:

Long John wrote:Play like the did at the weekend and Westmeath will hammer them in Cusack park. They were very lucky to get away with a win.

As Offaly head into this weeks must win Game against neighbours and rivals Westmeath its important to remember that all results up to now are gone as is the form guide Westmeath have performed very simular to Offaly so far in the League, so for Long John to make continued unsupportive comments as always either directly at individual players or the Team are not what Offaly Footballers need this weekend as this game and promotion to Division Two would be huge for Offaly going Forward, lets get in behind the Team and waiting(even hoping)for them to fail

Tom is that yourself?

I think its more calling a spade a spade than being unsupportive. I was very unimpressed with the game in Waterford as they had a number of chances to beat Offaly and should have with a bit more composure. Half back line is struggling. Ball coming out of the opposition back line far too easily.
Losing to Tipp at home is just unforgiveable. They may be an improving side but on home soil Offaly should have been able to put them away.
Westmeath are quiet poor but I think they will fancy themselves for this game. And with Flanagans input I think they will be well tuned on how to beat Offaly.