Offaly’s football revival moved up a few notches in Portlaoise when they deservedly saw off the challenge of a fancied Cork side to reach the All-Ireland Under-20 final for the first time since they won their only title in the grade in 1988.
Roscommon or Down will provide the opposition in that final but Declan Kelly’s Offaly will go into it full of confidence after carving out victory in a thrilling contest.
Full-forward Jack Bryant led the way with a haul of 2-4 from full-forward, but Offaly had heroes all over the field and their strong running game makes them an exciting side to watch. They were constantly able to find men in a better position but were not afraid to take on their man with the ball either and Cork were on the back foot from early in the game.
Yet, the Munster champions managed a spirited rally which saw them cut a nine-point lead to two but Offaly found another gear when it was most needed in the closing moments of a gripping contest.
Offaly, aided by the slight breeze, deservedly led by 1-7 to 0-3 at the interval and should have been much further ahead but they failed to convert a couple of good chances and were also denied a penalty.
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The sides were level twice in the opening 13 minutes before Cormac Egan edged Offaly in front after the other corner-forward Aaron Kellaghan appeared to be fouled by Conor McGoldrick as he bore down on goal. Offaly were full of running from deep and full-back Tom Hyland blazed wide after 19 minutes, while Bryant did likewise moments later after he and Egan had dispossessed Cork corner-back Colm O’Donovan.
The Cork defence struggled to contain Offaly and a sin-binning of wing-back Adam Walsh-Murphy for pulling down Cathal Flynn as he headed for goal.
Offaly outscored Cork by 1-4 to 0-1 while they had the extra man with Bryant shooting home a superb goal into the top right corner four minutes from the break after landing two points just prior to that.
Corner-back Lee Pearson raced forward to kick an inspirational point for Offaly and Bryant jinked in front of goal before landing another just before the interval.
Michael O’Neill pulled back a point from a free for Cork to cut the margin to seven at the break. Kellaghan and Bryant extended Offaly’s lead with points but then Cork came storming back and hit the next five points from David Buckley (two), Colin Walsh, Brian Hayes and Ciarán O’Sullivan to cut the gap to 1-9 to 0-8.
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Offaly responded with Bryant setting up Cathal Flynn and the wing-forward shot low to the net. Cork hit back and landed the next three points before Keith O’Neill responded for Offaly to leave it 2-10 to 0-11 with seven minutes remaining.
Cork piled forward and with the Offaly defence forced to foul, David Buckley tapped over three frees to reduce the margin to two points.
Cork looked set to complete an astonishing revival but then Egan soloed through their defence and passed to Bryant and the Shamrocks clubman rounded goalkeeper Gavin Creedon and slotted in, sparking huge celebrations among the Offaly supporters in the 1,400 crowd and complete a miserable week for Cork football.
Star player: Jack Bryant (Offaly).
Cork: Creedon; O’Donovan, Phelan, McGoldrick; Walsh-Murphy (Holland 40min), T Walsh, Cashman (Lordan 47-49min); Hayes 0-1, 0-1 45, Hartnett (Nash 47min); Buckley 0-5, 0-4f, 0-1 mark, Cahalane, C O’Sullivan 0-4, 0-1 45; Dorgan 0-1, 0-1f (McDonnell 29min), C Walsh 0-2 (Kelleher 54min), O’Neill 0-1, 0-1f (S O’Sullivan 35min).
Offaly: O’Toole; Brazil, Hyland, Pearson 0-1; R Egan, Furlong, Dempsey; Cullen, Tynan 0-1, 0-1f (O’Neill 46min); Flynn 1-0, Keenan Martin, Donoghue; C Egan 0-1, Bryant 2-4, 0-2f, Kellaghan 0-2, 0-1 mark (O’Neill 0-1 8-9min blood) (Cormac Delaney 52min).
Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo).