Offaly 0-16
Meath 0-13

Offaly kicked five unanswered points in the last ten minutes to defeated Meath in the Fitzsimons Cup final at Grangegodden. The intercounty senior football tournament is run by the Gaeil Colmcille club.

Points from Niall McNamee and Bernard Allen had Offaly 0-2 to 0-1 ahead after five minutes. Meath replied with three points from Sean Tobin, Stephan Crosby and Michael Newman. But Offaly fought back and had three points on the trot from McNamee (2) and midfielder Richie Dalton. With 25 minutes gone The Faithful County held a 0-8 to 0-6 lead. Conor Gillespie and Damien carroll kicked two fine scores for The Royals and the teams went in at the break level 0-8 each.

Full foward McNamee put Offaly two up in the opening five minutes of the second half with a brace of pointed frees. Meath drew level once more through Newman and Andy Tormey. Mick O'Dowd's charges enjoyed a period of dominance between the 10th and 20th minutes and scores from Newman (2) and Daragh McNamara put them 0-13 to 0-11 ahead and looking good for victory. But it was Offaly that found that extra gear in the last ten minutes and five unanswered points from McNamee (2), Anton Sullivan (2) and half back David Brady gave Emmet McDonnell's team a well earned win.

After the game Meath County Board Chairman Barney Allen presented the Fitzsimons Cup to Offaly captain Niall McNamee.

Offaly: Alan Mulhall, Brian Darby, Paul McConway, Sean Pender, David Brady (0-1), Derek Kelly, Michael Verney, Richie Dalton (0-1), Alan McNamee, Ross Brady, Brian Connor(0-1), Eoin Carroll, Anton Sullivan (0-2), Niall McNamee (0-10), Bernard Allen (0-1).

Meath: Paddy O'Rourke, Caolan Young, Donal Keoghan, Seanie Curran, Cormac Rowe (0-1), Darren Hagan, Davy Dalton, Conor Gillespie (0-1), Tom Walsh, Daragh McNamara (0-1), Damien Carroll (0-1), Stephan Crosby (0-1), Sean Tobin (0-2), Michael Newman (0-5), Andrew Tormey (0-1).

Referee Brian Kelly Kildare Tweet

Most Read Stories