Offaly 0-10 Dublin 0-6
A disappointing opening to the season as Dublin falter in the closing quarter with Offaly outscoring by 0-5 to 0-1.
Conditions were difficult in Banagher but it was the same for both sides. With the sides locked on three points apiece at half-time (Ali Twomey 0-2f and Emma Flanagan) to Offaly’s (Lisa Gorman 0-2f and Michaela Morkan), Dublin would have faced into the second half with a reasonable degree of optimism.
The work rate was good and the defence was in charge. An Alison Maguire pointed free a minute after the restart raised spirits further but within two minutes Dublin had conceded a free to allow Offaly to level the game.
A great clearance from Aisling Carolan found Laura Twomey and following a direct run she pointed off her left side. But once again Dublin conceded a free and the excellent Orlagh Kirwan bagged the first of four second half placed balls.
As the game wore Offaly’s spirits grew as Dublin found it extremely difficult to break the Faithful defensive lines. The introduction of Mairi Moynihan injected some strength and direction to the Dublin play but with full-forward Sarah O’Donovan playing in the middle third, the Dublin full-forward line frequently found themselves three on two and on one occasion four Offaly backs to two attackers.
Two points midway through the half gave Offaly a platform to win the match and in a game where a goal never looked likely Dublin were left clutching at straws. However it very nearly came right when a quickly taken free from Louise O’Hara came back off the crossbar in the 60th minute. A goal at the point would have levelled the game but as it was it fell to Michaela Morkan and Orlagh Kirwan to seal victory.
Dublin were solid in defence with Mairéad Luttrell making an impressive debut but the lighter Dublin forwards could make no headway in the heavy going so much that Dublin’s attack scored only one point from play in the 60 minutes.