Football

Offaly hit back to sink Kingdom

OFFALY denied Kerry promotion to Division 1B of the Allianz National Hurling League with a comprehensive 3-19 to 0-14 play-off victory on Saturday.

Kerry, playing with a strong breeze in the first half, did get off to a blistering start and were seven points in front by the ninth minute.

Shane Nolan split the posts four times in that period as the Kingdom grabbed the match by the scruff of the neck.

Offaly gradually began to get a hold of the game from their first score in the 10th minute onwards and Tadhg Flynn in the Kerry goal was alert in pulling off a terrific stop to deny the Faithful a goal.

Before the half was over, however, Joe Bergin (pictured) did goal for Offaly and the side were level at the break, 0-11 to 1-8.

On the restart, Offaly notched two quick points but Kerry replied with two points of their own from substitute Brendan Brosnan and Colm Harty.

Offaly were reduced to 14 players 10 minutes into the second period when Sean Cleary received a red card but with 11 minutes to go Offaly led by 2-13 to 0-14 Stephen Quirke then hit his second goal with six minutes remaining and the game was up for Kerry.