Elliott on the double as minor footballers progress

Sun, 19th April 2015

DUBLIN 2-11 OFFALY 1-9

Two second half goals from Aarron Ellott paved the way for Dublin's victory in this Electric Ireland Leinster MFC first round clash at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Dubs progress to the quarter-finals while Offaly now face Westmeath in the qualifier route with the winner of that clash then facing Kildare, who were beaten by Louth, for a place in the provincial last-eight.

Paddy Christie's side trailed 0-4 to 0-5 at the interval, after playing against the wind, and the Faithful County extended their lead to three points by the fourth minute of the second half following two points from Shane Tierney (one free).

However, Dublin responded well and began to get the upperhand around the middle third as Dillon Keating slotted two points (one free) and Callum Pearson was also on target with a free, following a foul on Conor Kavanagh, to bring the sides level 0-7 each by the 41st minute.

A minute later Ballymun Kickhams Aaron Elliott was in the right place at the right time to fire to the roof of the net after Keating's initial effort half been parried and Kevin Callaghan points following a powerful run granted the Dubs a four-point advantage, 1-8 to 0-7.

But Offaly bounced back off the ropes with a goal from sub Jordan Hayes and when fellow sub Joe Lowry kicked a point the counties were level again, 1-8 each with seven minutes remaining.

Dublin sub Kevin Kindlon kicked an important point after a good pass from Callaghan to nose the boys in blue back in front before Keating and Elliott combined for the crucial match-winning goal to see Dublin into the Leinster MFC quarter-finals.

SCORERS - Dublin: A Elliott 2-0, D Keating 0-4 (0-1f), S Howard, K Callaghan, C Pearson (0-2f) 0-2 each, J Kindlon 0-1, Offaly: J Hayes 1-1, C Maher, D Hyland, S Tierney (0-1f) 0-2 each, R Heavin, J Lowry 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: E Comerford; D Byrne, P O’Hanlon, G McNamara; C Kavanagh, B Howard, O Kelly; D McIlgorm, A Elliott; K Callaghan, B McGarry, T Fox; S Caffrey, C Pearson, D Keating. Subs: S Howard for B McGarry (7 mins, inj), B Shovlin for S Howard (22, inj), J Kindlon for S Caffrey (46), C Hulton for C Pearson (61).

OFFALY: K Kinahan; PJ Daly, C Horan, R Hynes; D Dempsey, G Smyth, A Keyes; C Maher, C Mangan; D Hyland, K Higgins, R Heavin (0-1); S Tierney, S O’Brien, J Walsh. Subs: J Lowry for D Hyland (39), J Hayes for S O’Brien (44, bc), M Mooney for K Higgins (49), D Hyland for C Maher (54).

REF: S Murphy (Louth).