Offaly 3-14 New Jersey/Kilkenny 2-13 The hurling contest of the Sunday's contests went all the way to the wire before Offaly pulled a rabbit from their hat to get the win with 1-01 at the finish. The lead changed hands on no fewer that eight occasions as both sides used the power of the goal to get back on track. Offaly opened the game with a goal within the first minute from Damien Clifford but NJK fought back to tie the game at 0-06 points to 1-03 after Ritchie Ruth caught fire and blasted three in a row over the bar. It was tit for tat as the game progressed to the half time whistle with Offaly again going ahead by the minimum when Darren Reilly fired a free over but Willie Whelan had the tying point seconds before the short whistle. Offaly again used a goal in the first minutes of the second half to forge ahead with Stephen Brown firing home after he combined with Reilly but a three pointer from Niall Green had NJK back in front. Green finished well after a long ball out of the back found him on the 21 yard line. Five points out of six in reply pushed Offaly ahead with Brown chipping in with two, and Brian McNaughton also helping himself to two. Again Niall Green replied with a net buster as he rounded the defense and gave Alan Gleason no chance. He game was all square but Offaly finished strongest as Darren Reilly drove over with a free to put one between the sides and Niall Mulvihill finished the game as the Faithful started it with a goal to ensure the win. Scorers Offaly Stephen Brown (1-03) Darren Reilly (0-03) Damien Clifford (1-02) Naill Mulvihill (1-02) Aiden Ryan (0-01) Diarmuid Sexton (0-01) Brian McNaughton (0-02) New Jersey/Kilkenny Niall Green (2-00) Ritchie Ruth (0-04) Ricky Brennan (0-03) Maurice O'Sullivan (0-04) Nicky Kenny (0-01) William Whelan (0-01) Referee Donie O'Sullivan (Cork) Man of the Match Stephen Brown (Offaly Tweet

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