Offaly 0-9

Donegal 0-8

THE Junior B title returns to Offaly and joins the Senior Hurling trophy on the Faithful mantle for the inter months. The Jim O'Neill Cup donated by the Armagh club joins the Michael Flannery one in what has been a wonderful season for Offaly.

They jumped out into a four point lead at the break and were able to withstand a stirring comeback by Donegal by chipping over points when required and using a strong defensive showing in the last few minutes to get the win.

Offaly had the first two chances of the game, but wides were the result before Brendan Moran was fouled on the edge of the square by an advancing Donegal keeper. No penalty or even a free, and the danger was cleared.

Donegal moved down the field and had a pair of chances themselves, but the Offaly defense cleared easily. The clearest goal chance that arrived in the first 10 minutes or scoring chance was a break that originated with Kieran Bergin, but Danny Leady missed the chance and again Donegal cleared.

The game moved pedestrian to the 20th minute before Bergin again went off on another long solo run and flicked to Moran, who finally broke the deadlock. It was followed within moments by a Tom Rosney score when Vinnie Gavin set him up.

Donegal had their only score of the half on the 26th minute when Cathal McGill spun and fired over, but Offaly finished strongest with another brace of scores Tom Rosney and Liam Sullivan as time expired.

Offaly continued to press in the second half with a further two points from Moran and Peader Reynolds. They were controlling the game at this point with Bergin, John Fitzpatrick and Gavin impressing across the half back line. Vinnie was there as an assistant from his midfield slot.

An Anton Diver point from a free when a foot block was adjudged was followed by points from C.J. Molloy and Diver again to put a goal between the sides. However when Moran fired a free over and then Donegal lost Anton Toner to a red card for an off the ball incident it gave Offaly an impetus to take the game. Diver and Reynolds swapped scores

The game came alive for the last five minutes as Donegal tried their best to pull a result from the fire. Diver, with points from play, and Donal Dunnion with an excellent score from the 30 yard line brought them within one.

Offaly cleared three dangerous forays into the box and the shouts were loud and long when the final whistle sounded.

Offaly had a host of prominent players in the win. John McGinley did nothing wrong, Kevin Curran got the better of the exchanges on the square, while Kieran Bergin and John Fitzpatrick excelled on the half line. Tom Rosney had two very important points, with Brendan Moran, Vinnie Gavin and super sub Peader Reynolds showing well up front.

James McFadden when he came out of goal in the second half, Brian Heggerty, Anton Toner before he retired, Donal Dunnion and the brilliant Anton Diver fought to the end for Donegal.

Some former champions to rattle the brain cells - 1991 Eire Og, '92 Kerry, '93 Connemara Gaels '94 Longford, '95 Westput Gaels, '96 Fermanagh, '97 Mayo, '98 Rockland, '99 Sligo, 2000 Kerry, 2001 St. Barnabas, '02 Westmeath, '03 Astoria Gaels, '04 St. Raymond's, '05 Offaly, '06 Stamford, '07 Dublin.

Donegal: 1 James McFadden, 2 Chris Duggan, 3 Brian Heggerty, 4 Kevin Purce, 5 Tony McMahon, 6 Mark Duggan, 7 Anton Toner, 8 Michael McQuade, 9 C.J. Molloy (0-2), 10 Patrick Murphy, 11 Cathal McGill (0-1), 12 Anton O'Duibher (0-4), 13 Donal Dunnion (0-1), 14 Michael Miro, 15 Del Ferreira. Subs: Shane O'Connor, Chris Novelli.

Offaly: 1 John McGinley, 2 Mark Dolan, 3 Kevin Curran, 4 Mike Maher, 5 Brian Delaney, 6 Kieran Bergin, 7 John Fitzpatrick, 8 Brian Fingleton, 9 Thomas Rosney (0-2), 10 Liam Sullivan (0-1), 11 Vinnie Gavin (0-1), 12 Mike Bryan, 13 Liam Brennan, 14 Brendan Moran (0-3), 15 Danny Leady. Subs: John Madden, Enda Egan, Peader Reynolds (0-2).

Referee: Phil Sheridan (Cavan).

Man of the match: John Fitzpatrick (Offaly). A huge part of the defensive display that stopped their opponents for 40 minutes.