Offaly U21 side named
February 19, 2013It includes five players - Eoin Rigney (Rhode), David Hanlon & Derek Kelly (Edenderry), Eoin Carroll (Cappincur) and Peter Cunningham (Bracknagh) - that featured with Offaly senior footballers during their recent Allianz NFL Division 4 second round loss, 1-8 to 0-12 against Limerick in O'Connor Park, Tullamore.
Offaly U21's reached the provincial semi-final in 2012, losing out to Louth by 0-8 to 0-10 at Pairc Tailteann, Navan. Earlier in that championship campaign Offaly registered victories over Meath (1st round - 1-9 to 0-9) and Kildare (quarter-final - 0-8 to 0-7), both games were hosted by Gracefield GAA Club.
Dublin, who defeated Laois by 2-21 to 0-4 in the 2012 quarter-final, went on to become Cadbury Leinster U-21 champions defeating Louth by 1-16 to 0-8 in the final.
Nine of Offaly's starting line-up this evening featured at some stage in last year's semi-final loss against Louth.
The nine are Declan Hogan (Tullamore), Rhode trio Eoin Rigney, James McPadden & Stephen Hannon, Edenderry trio David Hanlon, Derek Kelly & Stuart Cullen, Bracknagh's Peter Cunningham and Ferbane's Aaron McDonagh. Cian Donohue (St Brigid's) who played against Louth last year is included among the subs.
The reward for the winners of this evening's midlands derby is a Leinster quarter-final against Wicklow on Wednesday, March 6.
Offaly (U21FC v Laois) - Mark Langtry (Doon); Declan Hogan (Tullamore), Eoin Rigney (Rhode), James McPadden (Rhode); David Hanlon (Edenderry), Derek Kelly (Edenderry), Philip Foy (Clonmore Harps); Conor McNamee (Rhode), Eoin Carroll (Cappincur); Stuart Cullen (Edenderry), Peter Cunningham (Bracknagh), Aaron McDonagh (Ferbane); Paul McPadden (Rhode), Ciaran Hurley (Edenderry), Stephen Hannon (Rhode).
Subs - Ciaran Cummins (Edenderry), Joey O'Connor (St Rynagh's), Joe Maher (Ferbane), Barry Cushen (Clara), Sean Doyle (Edenderry), Darragh Corbett (Shannonbridge), Cian Donohue (St Brigid's), Jamie McKeogh (Durrow), Luke Kelly (Clara). Tweet
