Offaly 3-9
Galway 0-18

Ger Farragher's accuracy was Galway's salvation as Ger Loughnane's men gave up a five point half time lead before eventually earning a share of the points in a dramatic finish to Sunday's Allianz NHL clash with Offaly in Tullamore.

ESCAPE . . . Galway's Kerril Wade races away from Offaly's Derek Molloy and Daniel Currams during Sunday's league clash at Tullamore. Photo: Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE

Farragher – who contributed ten points in all to Galway's tally – calmly converted an injury-time free to level the scores, after referee Dickie Murphy controversially ruled that Alan Kerins had been fouled in possession.

Stung by a heavy defeat at the hands of Tipperary last week, Offaly started the brighter and some enterprising hurling in the first quarter was capped by a well-taken goal from Brian Carroll.

But as Galway settled, John Lee and Kevin Hynes grew increasingly dominant in the central positions, in turn allowing the attack to finally click into gear.

With Farragher punishing Offaly's fouls, Galway struck five points in succession to lead 0-11 to 1-3 at the break, David Forde and Kerril Wade both also notching points.

Having run up an impressive tally in dismantling the Clare challenge last time out, Galway looked set to make it four league points from four, but Joe Dooley's charges begun the second period determined to give the home support something to cheer.

With David Franks relishing his unusual midfield berth, the Faithful hit four points to slash Galway's lead, Kevin Hynes producing Galway's only response.

Galway keeper James Skehill pulled off a tremendous save from Daniel Currams to stem the Offaly tide, but the respite was short-lived.

First the rampant Franks drove past Skehill to narrow the gap to a single point and less than a minute later, substitute Ger Healion followed suit to put Offaly in front by two with a quarter of an hour to play.

It was left to Farragher to drag Galway level with a brace of points but when Franks struck another fine point, Offaly looked set for a much-needed win. But then came Kerins' late surge and the resulting free that frustrated Dooley's men and maintained Galways' unbeaten start.

OFFALY: S. O'Connor; K. Grogan, K. Brady (capt), C. Hernon; D. Horan, J. Bergin, D. Kenny; B. Leonard, J. Rigney 0-1; D. Franks 1-2, G. Oakley 0-1, C. Mahon; B. Carroll 1-3 (0-2 frees), D. Molloy, F. Kerrigan 0-1.
Subs: G. Healion 1-0 for Kerrigan; D. Currams 0-1 for Oakley; S. Dooley for Mahon.

GALWAY: J. Skehill; D. Joyce, T. Og Regan, C. Dervan; A. Keary, J. Lee, G. Mahon, A. Cullinane 0-1, K. Hynes 0-1; A. Kerins (capt) 0-1, D. Forde 0-2, A. Callanan 0-1, G. Farragher 0-10 (0-5 frees, 0-1 sideline, 0-1 '65), I. Tannian, K. Wade 0-2.
Subs: F. Healy for Callanan; F. Coone for Tannian.

Referee: D. Murphy (Wexford).

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