Minor footballers progress to Leinster quarter-finals

DUBLIN 2-14 OFFALY 1-7

Dublin's minor footballers worked a safe passage into the Electric Ireland Leinster MFC quarter-final following their ten-point first round win over Offaly at Parnell Park on Saturday.

The Dubs led 0-8 to 0-3 at the interval but Offaly had missed a number of scoring opportunities while their keeper Barry Rohan had excelled to deny Dublin of goals on a couple of occasions.

His upright also came to Offaly's rescue in the 20th minute when Conor Hynes' goal effort cannoned back off the inside of the post.

Dublin finished the half on the up with points from Kevin Callaghan, Mark Donnelly, Callaghan again and a Hynes free.

The Dubs defence did well with the full-back line snuffing out the threat of a potentially dangerous Offaly inside line.

Offaly closed the gap on the restart with a David Fleming free but two minutes later came the opening goal of the game when sub Dan O'Brien cleverly released his Benildus College school-mate Aaron Bradshaw who blasted to the net.

An Evan Comerford '45' and Conor Hynes free following a foul on Bradshaw extended the lead for Paddy Christie's side.

Dublin had the chance to strengthen that margin but Conor Hynes was denied from the penalty spot by the impressive Rohan.

An Offaly goal from midfielder Michael Mooney raised the hopes of the Faithful especially when they tagged on two points from Conor Lynam (free) and Shane O'Brien.

However, six minutes from time Seán Bugler made no mistake from the penalty spot when Kevin Callaghan was fouled.

Points from Conor Lennon and the impressive Tom Keane put Dublin out of sight and into the provincial quarter-finals.

SCORERS - Dublin: S Bugler 1-1 (1-0 pen), K Callaghan, T Keane, C Hynes (0-3f) 0-3 each, A Bradshaw 1-0, C Lennon 0-2, M Donnelly, E Comerford (0-1 '45') 0-1 each. Offaly: M Mooney 1-0, S O'Brien (0-1f), C Lynam (0-1f) 0-2 each, E Farrell, C Johnson, D Fleming (0-1f) 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: E Comerford; R Shaw, N Doran, CJ Smith; C Lennon, J Holland, M Tighe; N Nolan, M Donnelly; J Madden, S Bugler, A Bradshaw; T Keane, K Callaghan, C Hynes. Subs: K Murray for Tighe (16, bc), D O'Brien for Madden (ht), A Kelly for Donnelly (35), D Lacey for Murray (52), E Fitzpatrick for Nolan (56), P Flaherty for Callaghan (59).

OFFALY: B Rohan; R Hynes, D Kavanagh, J Quinn; K Hartnett, S Geoghegan, D Molloy; M Mooney, S Molloy; A Delaney, C O'Neill, S O'Brien; C Johnson, D Fleming, E Farrell. Subs: K Higgins for Hartnett (37), C Lynam for Johnson (37), L Gavin for O'Neil (46), S Farrell for Fleming (53), D Norris for E Farrell (58), R Galbraith for Delaney (60).

REF: S Mulhare (Laois).