Offaly edged themselves closer towards promotion from Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League thanks to a 1-22 to 0-19 win over Westmeath in Tullamore this afternoon.
Killian Sampson’s early goal looked to set the tone for the hosts, but it’d be Westmeath that took in a deserved 0-14 to 1-9 half-time lead with the returning Killian Doyle in fine shooting form for them.
The second-half saw the Faithful men upping it a gear as scores from the excellent Brian Duignan and Oisin Kelly steered them in front and more via Colin Spain and last weekend’s hero Dan Ravenhill had them five to the good.
Westmeath got the margin back down to three but two late Duignan scores (one a free) saw out the win for Offaly who will be promoted with a game to spare should Dublin beat Carlow next weekend.
In Walsh Park, Waterford provided a major boost to their own promotion hopes by edging Dublin on a 1-23 to 2-18 scoreline.
Cian O’Sullivan’s goal separated the sides at the end of an airtight first-half, with the visitors going in up 1-11 to 0-12, and they’d goal again through O’Sullivan to move five in front with 10 minutes remaining.
Waterford selector Dan Shanahan and captain Dessie Hutchinson after their side's victory over Dublin in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B match at Walsh Park.
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) March 2, 2025
📸 @SebaJFDaly https://t.co/tuXORJqZg7 pic.twitter.com/hGsPuF2FmQ
The scoreboard would read 2-17 to 0-19 when O’Sullivan picked up a straight red card in the 63rd minute and the Deise men made the absolute most of their numerical advantage by seeing Gavin Fives’s point backed up by a Patrick Curran goal with two minutes remaining.
Still down by one after the goal, the points of Jamie Barron, Stephen Bennett and Patrick Curran secured a dramatic victory for Peter Queally’s side.
Meanwhile, Carlow and Antrim could not be separated after the 70 minutes at Netwatch Cullen Park as it finished 1-21 to 2-18.
Chris Nolan’s goal helped the hosts to hold a 1-11 to 0-8 lead at the break, but Antrim pushed hard in the closing quarter and got two late goals to claim a result.
Tweet#AllianzLeagues Division 1 Hurling Tables after Round 5
— GAA League Tables (@GAALeagueTables) March 2, 2025
1A
Cork 1-22 v 2-16 Kilkenny
Wexford 1-20 v 2-19 Galway
Limerick 0-21 v 1-21 Clare
1B
Offaly 1-22 v 0-19 Westmeath
Waterford 1-23 v 2-18 Dublin
Carlow 1-21 v 2-18 Antrim#gaa #hurling #GAALeagueTables pic.twitter.com/KFbsbI5BKb