Reaching the County Final again – Seir Kieran in 1994

While the Clareen side’s reversals of fortune since 1988 were brutal, a major reason for them was that the Offaly domestic championship had become one of the most competitive in the country. Birr were waxing in strength, St Rynagh’s and Lusmagh were always there or thereabouts, and Kilcormac/ Killoughey and now Tullamore had plenty of talent coming through. The Clareen mentors and panel would eventually prove equal to this challenge, going on to contest four County Finals in a row between 1994 and 1997 – and to win two of those. As they had in 1987 and 1988, the Junior hurlers led the way in 1994, beating Killeigh/ Killeen, Belmont and Tubber (walkover) and then Daingean in the Quarter-final. The Semi-final, played at Raheen in September, finished Seir Kieran 3-6, Killurin 0-7. The Clareen side, coached by Michael Murphy with selectors Tommy Hynes and TJ Dooley, gave a brave account of themselves in the Junior ‘B’ Hurling Final, played at Rath on 9 October 1994. Kilcormac/ Killoughey were too strong on the day, and won out by 2-11 to 0-10.

Before several of the panel were called up for Offaly’s brilliant summer Blitzkrieg, the club’s Senior team had made a highly encouraging start in the 1994 SHC, defeating Drumcullen by 5-12 to 1-8 and St Rynagh’s by 1-14 to 2-5. Their new coach, Gerry Kirwan of Ballyskenagh, laid considerable emphasis on the age-old problems of fitness and discipline. Eugene Coughlan had come on to score the goal against Banagher; Kevin Kinahan, Kieran Dooley, James Coakley and Damien Murphy all put in great performances; and Johnny Dooley versus Martin Hanamy was one of the key tussles of the match. Their SHC campaign resumed at Kilcormac on 17 September, when the Clareen side went down to an unexpected 6-7 to 2-12 defeat, to a Coolderry side who needed the win to get into the play-offs. Not since 1952 had Seir Kieran conceded so many goals in the Championship. Eugene Coughlan would revert to full back for the remainder of the 1994 campaign, beginning at Rath the following week where a 1-10 to 0-9 victory over Kinnitty got them back on the rails.

On 2 October 1994, Seir Kieran once again faced Coolderry in the play-offs, switched to Banagher from a water-logged Lusmagh pitch. A cracking game was expected, as Seir Kieran sought revenge for the ambush at Kilcormac; but the slippery conditions made it a hard slog. Seir Kieran gradually got the upper hand, and lovely points from Mick Coughlan and Johnny Dooley brought it to Seir Kieran 0-7, Coolderry 0-6. In the Semi-final against Kilcormac/ Killoughey, the black and amber’s finishing was clinical. Billy Dooley scored two goals (the second nipped off the hurley of Kilcormac goalie Stephen Byrne), and Mick Coughlan added a third, as they won by 3-13 to 0-8. The County Final of 30 October 1994 pitted Seir Kieran against Birr. In appalling weather conditions, it was the Clareen side that got off to a promising start, but Birr gradually restricted the supply of ball to the Seir Kieran danger men, while forcing the concession of frees from within Adrian Cahill’s range. Seir Kieran threw everything forward in search of the winning goal, but it was Birr 0-8, Seir Kieran 0-6 at the long whistle. For want of just a little more discipline, Seir Kieran had now lost their fifth County Final out of the six contested since 1985. In wishing Birr the very best in the Leinster Club championship, however, Seir Kieran signalled that they were not finished yet:“The Club appreciate and thank the entire panel and team management for a big effort from early Spring through to Final day. Despite this loss spirits have been restored and the Club will be battling for honours again next year.”

Offaly’s third All Ireland Senior Hurling title, 1994

Éamonn Cregan’s management team included fitness instructor Derry O’Donovan, whose weight training techniques would prove their worth from the very start of the year. A 3-9 to 3-7 win over Kilkenny in the Walsh Cup Semi-final on 30 January 1994 was very encouraging. Offaly easily retained their Walsh Cup Title (0-14 to 0-6) in a physically tough Final against Meath at Athboy, when Kevin Kinahan played at full back, Johnny Dooley (0-5) at wing forward, and Billy Dooley at top of the left. Joe Dooley, recovered from injury, rejoined the team in time for the make-or-break Leinster Senior Hurling Semi-final, against Kilkenny on 26 June 1994. The reigning All Ireland Champions were firm favorites not only to take the game, but to complete the three-in-a-row for the first time since 1913 (when the Graces, Walton and Dick “Drug” Walsh were in their prime). Instead, Offaly’s determination, passion and will to win resulted in a 2-16 to 3-9 victory. Johnny Dooley was top scorer on six points, closely followed by Billy and Joe Dooley who finished on 1-2 apiece. Scored at the three-quarters stage, Joe’s tonic of a goal capped his best performance since the late 1980s. In a last throw of the dice, the Kilkenny mentors put DJ Carey to full forward. Although Carey got little change out of Kevin Kinahan, the Cats did manage a consolatory 2-1 in the last six minutes, and got off lightly in the end.

In the Leinster Senior Hurling Final on 17 July 1994, Offaly overcame a lackluster Wexford challenge by 1-18 to 0-14, to win their eighth Leinster Title. A highlight of the game was when John Troy (as though freeze-framing the state of play) reverse-flicked over his shoulder, for Billy Dooley to let fly for the goal that killed Wexford’s rally. Martin Hanamy lifted the Bob O’Keeffe Cup, and the Faithful contingent in the crowd of 32,141 went wild. En route to a victory almost as important as the breakthrough in 1980, Offaly had beaten both Wexford and Kilkenny for the first time in 96 years. During the post-match interviews, Billy Dooley remarked that the forwards were clocking up scores like 2-22 and 3-24 in challenge games. The confidence that Offaly possessed such firepower would prove crucial when the going got tough in the All Ireland Final.

In the interim, there were several heart-stopping moments in the All Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-final on 7 August, which ended Offaly 2-13, Galway 1-10. The Faithful County dominated the first half, but lost concentration and allowed a hard-hitting Galway side back into it in the third quarter. Billy Dooley’s brave goal at that stage was crucial. Christy Helebert rose to a magnificent display for the Tribesmen, at the price of frees conceded in Johnny Dooley’s range. Pat O’Connor, having made a comeback from his leg injuries, led the Galway defence a merry dance. Each of Offaly’s rearguard was a tower of strength. Having thus avenged their Semi-final defeats of 1988 and 1990, Offaly were jubilant. However, the celebratory mood was cut short, so far as Clareen and its environs was concerned, by a tragedy off the Wexford coast that same weekend. In the next edition of the Midland Tribune, the Seir Kieran GAA Notes stated as follows:“It was with shock and sadness that the Club and Parish learned of the tragic death in a drowning accident while on holiday in Wexford of David Bach. To his mother, Ann, father, Geoff, and a wide circle of relatives and friends the Club extends its sincerest sympathy.”

Because Offaly had finished so strongly in all of their games, they entered the All Ireland Final on 4 September 1994 wearing the unwelcome “favorites” tag. Nonetheless, it was Limerick who set the pace, and at times seemed about to overwhelm Offaly. Éamonn Cregan’s philosophy of direct first-time hurling, keeping it simple, paid dividends as Offaly had more left in the tank in the dramatic finale. Offaly scored only 1-2 from frees and 2-14 from open play. Limerick’s relatively poor return (2-9 from play, 0-4 from frees) was due to Brian Whelahan, Kevin Martin, Martin Hanamy, Kevin Kinahan & co. hunting in packs. Offaly’s deft touches and flicks forced Limerick to go the extra mile for their scores. Moreover, having established a half time lead of 2-8 to 1-5, Tom Ryan’s team only added five points in the second half. This was indicative of how Offaly gradually started to get to grips.

Even so, Limerick’s explosive pace and power was such that Offaly needed all of their craft to stay alive. Mike Houlihan’s opening point was answered by a goal from Joe Dooley, who pounced on Johnny Dooley’s penalty rebound (in Con Houlihan’s phrase) “like a hawk on a chicken too far from her mother”. This early cushion proved vital, as Damien Quigley twice beat Jim Troy and was only denied a third goal when Brian Whelahan got back in time to hook. Ger Hegarty, Gary Kirby and Ciaran Carey likewise proved a handful, and Cregan chopped and changed until only Jim Troy, Kevin Kinahan and Johnny and Billy Dooley remained in their starting positions. Scores by Declan and Johnny Pilkington and Johnny and Joe Dooley brought Offaly to within two points, but Kirby, Quigley and Limerick sub Leo O’Connor put six between them again. Michael Duignan and Johnny Dooley again made inroads, only for Kirby to land a pointed free, giving Limerick some extra insurance that it seemed would not be called upon.

Then the Limerick defence, mindful perhaps of Billy Dooley’s depredations in each championship game so far, floored Offaly’s No. 13. As Johnny Dooley calmly stood over the ball on the 21 yard line, Derry O’Donovan signaled that a point would be the best option. However, Dooley had already made up his mind to go for goal, without taking a run at it. Suddenly it was a two-point game. Limerick goalkeeper Joe Quaid took a quick puck out, but it was Offaly’s Michael Duignan who won possession and sent to Johnny Pilkington. Pilkington lobbed back in ahead of the inrushing Pat O’Connor, and the Coolderry man doubled on it to put Offaly one point ahead. Offaly’s well-oiled conveyor belt of points suddenly clicked into high gear. Johnny Dooley and John Troy effortlessly found the target, and Billy Dooley sent over three in succession from the sideline by the Cusack Stand.

It may have been that the frustration of earlier losses, especially at the U-21 grade, fueled Offaly’s resolve not to let it slip this time. Otherwise, there was nothing uncharacteristic about how Offaly annexed their victory. Given that Limerick were still only a point behind, even after O’Connor’s goal, the real riddle was the Treatymen’s failure to find a response of any kind in the last four minutes. The final score was Offaly 3-16, Limerick 2-13.

County Champions a second time – Seir Kieran in 1995

Martin Hanamy became the second St Rynagh’s man (and the first from Cloghan) to lift the McCarthy Cup; Kevin Martin won Tullamore’s first All Ireland Senior hurling medal; while the Birr, Lusmagh, St Rynagh’s and Coolderry contingents each received heroes’ welcomes in their home place. Even so, the Clareen homecoming, on Friday, 9 September 1994, was something special. Éamonn Cregan greatly valued Tony Murphy’s role as Offaly hurling secretary.^[72] Kevin Kinahan had held scoreless Limerick’s full forward Pat Heffernan. Joe, Billy and Johnny Dooley had amassed a combined 2-11. Joe and Johnny Dooley became the first pair of brothers in modern times to each score a goal in an All Ireland Senior Hurling Final (a feat matched only by the Powers of Carrickshock in the Final of 2014). Three of Offaly’s six All Star Awards in 1994 came to Seir Kieran – to Johnny and Billy Dooley and to Kevin Kinahan. The club’s priority for 1995 was to use these achievements as a springboard back to the top in the Offaly SHC.

Seir Kieran’s selectors for 1995 were Gerry Kirwan (coach), Christy Coughlan, Johnny Breslin, Willie Dooley and Tommy Hynes. In the opening round of the Senior Hurling Championship, the team unexpectedly went down to a more determined and hungry Coolderry by 0-11 to 0-10. A dour and workmanlike victory over Kinnitty in the second round (1-10 to 0-8) steadied the ship. Victory came at a price, as Billy Dooley was carried off with an ankle injury. It was a seriously depleted Clareen panel who lined out against Tullamore on 27 May 1995, and stared elimination in the face throughout the game. With Tullamore ahead by 1-5 to 0-2, their goalie tossed up the ball to clear it – whereupon Eugene Coughlan flicked it to the net. Reduced to 14 men in the second half, Seir Kieran were again in dire trouble, but regrouped doggedly. Mick Mulrooney’s goal and points from James Coakley and Johnny Dooley preceded Dooley’s great equalizer from a ’65. Kevin Abbott scored the winning point (Seir Kieran 2-13, Tullamore 2-12). It was a Lazarus act unprecedented in the club’s long history, and meant it was still all to play for when the championship resumed after the inter-county hiatus.

By beating Kilcormac/ Killoughey by 2-16 to 2-7 on 24 September, Seir Kieran put themselves emphatically in the frame for a place in the last four. This was secured by a 2-21 to 0-1 mismatch against Belmont on 7 October. Seir Kieran’s Semi-final assignment was Birr, who had gone on to win their first All Ireland Club Title against Dunloy (following a replay). Yet the wear-and-tear that this had cost them, coupled with Seir Kieran’s absolute cohesion, meant that the Clareen attitude was one of “now or never”. It did not look that way at first. Simon and Brian Whelahan, Ray Landy, Declan Pilkington and Oisin O’Neill had all scored by the time Johnny Dooley opened Seir Kieran’s account. Birr recommenced scoring almost at will; until Eugene Coughlan burst through for a great goal that showed weakness in the Birr defence. Mick Mulrooney capitalized by grabbing two more goals, for a slender interval lead (3-2 to 0-9). Jimmy Connor replaced Eugene Coughlan for the second half, when Johnny Dooley scored all six Seir Kieran points. Scores from Ray Landy and Conor McGlone kept the townsmen in the hunt, as both managements made wholesale changes. Brian Whelahan went to full forward for Birr, while Clareen captain Joe Dooley dropped back to help lift the siege. Eventually Whelahan got in for a stunning goal, but Birr were still one point behind (3-8 to 1-13) and on the attack when the referee blew it up.

With only one week to get set, the Senior Hurling Final against St Rynagh’s (22 October 1995 at St Brendan’s Park) looked like an even trickier proposition. In the event, two wholly committed sides played out an exciting 1-13 to 1-13 draw, in front of a record attendance of over six thousand. St Rynagh’s were very slight favorites going into the replay, on the basis that the Shannonsiders had always taken their second chances before. Instead, Seir Kieran prevailed by 0-10 to 0-9. The line-out for the replay (Saturday 28 October) was Liam Coughlan (goalie), Paddy Mulrooney, Kevin Kinahan, Paddy Connors, Damien Murphy, Ger Connors, Paul Scully, Noel Bergin, Joe Dooley (captain), Johnny Dooley, Mick Coughlan, James Coakley, Billy Dooley, Eugene Coughlan, and Mick Mulrooney. The three subs called upon on the day were Jimmy Connor, Finbarr O’Neill and Kieran Dooley. As the new Offaly champions, Seir Kieran had a Leinster Club Championship fixture in Carlow the very next day, where they beat Naomh Eoin by 3-10 to 0-7. Six days after that (Saturday 11 November), in Dr. Cullen Park, Kilkenny champions Glenmore brought Seir Kieran’s campaign to a full stop (1-14 to 0-12). Back in Kinnitty on 26 November 1995, victory in the long-delayed 1994 Senior Hurling League Final(Seir Kieran 2-15, Drumcullen 2-6) restored morale, as did the 1995 All Star Awards won by Kevin Kinahan, Johnny Dooley and Billy Dooley. However, winning out the Offaly SHC was the one that mattered, and was Seir Kieran’s most important win since 1988. Eugene Coughlan summed it up:“I have never seen players, committee members and everyone involved with the club dig so deep.”

Back-to-back titles and attempted three-in-a-row – Seir Kieran 1996-97

At the Offaly GAA Convention for 1996, Seir Kieran won the accolade of “Club of the Year” for the second time. In accepting the Fr. McWey Cup, Michael Murphy the club chairman stressed that Seir Kieran were just as proud of their part in the success of Offaly hurling. The Offaly Senior Hurling Championship of 1996 was defined, so far as Seir Kieran were concerned, by lop-sided victories over Belmont and Ballyskenagh and by four no-holds-barred matches against Kilcormac/ Killoughey. These comprised: an exciting second-round match that finished Seir Kieran 1-10, Kilcormac/ Killoughey 0-13; an unexpectedly easy passage in the play-offs (Seir Kieran 1-11, Kilcormac/ Killoughey 1-3); another draw (3-12-all) in the Semi-final on 22 September 1996; and a definitive 0-14 to 0-7 win in the replay six days later.

Midfield action from Seir Kieran v Kilcormac-Killoughey game, Offaly Senior Hurling Championship, September 1996

With the Double-K’s shaken off at last, Seir Kieran contemplated the prospect of a historic Double of their own – assuming they had enough left in the tank to handle St Rynagh’s in the Final. The punditry reckoned St Rynagh’s would do it this time, having kept the Birr danger-men under wraps in the other bruising Semi-final. However, several of the Banagher camp, such as selector Alo Horan, were much more cautious than that:“Seir Kieran were victorious last year because they wanted it more than we did. While some of their lads might not be all that skillful, they all have great spirit and would die for their parish. Certainly they will go out and give it everything on the day.”

Despite the cross-field gale and the cascading showers on County Final day itself (13 October 1996), Seir Kieran did indeed give it everything, defeating St Rynagh’s by 0-13 to 1-8 to put Senior Hurling Titles back-to-back. The black and amber deployed as follows: Liam Coughlan (goalie), Paul Scully, Kevin Kinahan, Paddy Connors, Damien Murphy, Ger Connors, Kieran Dooley, Joe Dooley, Noel Bergin, Johnny Dooley, Mick Coughlan, Mick Mulrooney, Billy Dooley, Eugene Coughlan, Seamus Dooley, and substitutes Kieran Kealey and Jimmy Connor. It was their eighth appearance in the decider in 12 years, of which they had now won three. County Board chairman Brendan Ward presented the Sean Robbins Cup to a delighted Liam Coughlan. On 24 November, Coughlan would also collect the Pat Carroll Cup, after Seir Kieran defeated Kilcormac/ Killoughey in the 1996 SHL Final by 1-12 to 0-6. In the interim, Seir Kieran’s third-ever Leinster Club Hurling Championship campaign once again foundered at the Leinster Semi-final stage. Following a spell-binding 1-24 to 0-4 win over Trim in the opening round at Athboy, the Clareen panel went to Portlaoise on 10 November to face O’Toole’s. The Dublin champions (including former Kilkenny forwards Eamonn Morrissey and Jamesie “Shiner” Brennan) powered into a 1-10 to 0-2 lead after the first quarter. Out-maneuvered nearly everywhere, Seir Kieran drew on vast reserves of character and resolve, and lived to fight another day (Seir Kieran 3-10, O’Toole’s 1-16). Back in Portlaoise the following Saturday, the Offaly champions were again stretched thin, and again held their shape and composure to make inroads in the second half. O’Toole’s kept topping up their points total, however, and (despite Joe Dooley nipping in for a late goal) advanced by 0-18 to 2-9.

Undeterred by their failure to navigate further in Leinster, Seir Kieran advanced to the 1997 Senior Hurling Final undefeated, with wins over Lusmagh (1-11 to 0-5), Kilcormac/ Killoughey (0-15 to 1-9), Belmont (5-17 to 0-4), and Tullamore in the Semi-final (2-15 to 2-10). In the Final itself, played out against Birr on 5 October 1997, Joe Dooley was hampered by a leg injury as he alternated between midfield and full forward. This made it easier for Birr to keep tabs on the other Clareen playmakers, and to win out by four points (0-14 to 2-4). In the midst of bitter disappointment in the black and amber camp, what did not change was the determination to challenge, the following year, as ferociously as ever. In the meantime, a great victory in the Junior Hurling ‘B’ Championship ensured that the year ended on a high. At Rath on 2 November 1997, the following team beat Coolderry in the Final by 2-9 to 2-4: Damien Coffey (goalie), Tom Connor, Paddy Mulrooney, John Coakley, Kevin Dooley, Joe Guinan, Finbarr Murphy, Pat Mulrooney, Aidan O’Neill, Kieran Troy, Noel Bergin, Kevin Abbott, Joe Mooney, Sean Coughlan, and TJ Dooley.

Triumph, then disappointment – Offaly Hurling 1995 to 1997

Having turned the tide in the 1994 All Ireland Final, Offaly looked set to blossom into the dominant team of the mid-1990s. At the same moment, however, Limerick, Clare and Wexford were surging to the top ranks of hurling counties, while Kilkenny and other “traditional” powers remained a threat. In response, Offaly upped their own performance levels even further; but their lack of options on the bench began to tell against them. The Birr contingent won their first All Ireland Club Title in March 1995, so they were unavailable to Éamonn Cregan for most of the NHL campaign (during which Johnny Dooley amassed 1-58). The Faithful County still managed to regain Division 1 status and had pleasing wins over Liam Griffin’s Wexford (0-16 to 0-14) and over Cork in the Quarter-final (3-10 to 2-11). Although Kilkenny beat them by 4-8 to 0-14 in the League Semi-final at Thurles, Cregan shrugged off Offaly’s slackness as something that could be fixed in time for championship. The coach’s sangfroid was vindicated by Offaly’s 2-14 to 1-10 victory over Wexford on 25 June – the first Leinster Senior Hurling Championship match to be broadcast live on television. Joe Dooley’s goal was vital in maintaining an advantage in the third quarter, when Wexford’s strategy of luring Offaly’s half back line out of position looked like it might pay off. Unbeaten by the Slaneysiders since 1979, Offaly had nearly come to depend on Wexford’s erratic shooting whenever the chips were down. That remained true in 1995 – but Griffin would have recalibrated by the following year.

Billy Dooley (0-5) was Offaly’s top scorer in the Leinster Senior Hurling Final on 16 July 1995. The throw-in was delayed by a cloudburst, accompanied by thunder and lightning, during which Offaly retreated to their dressing room while the Kilkenny players huddled miserably in the dug-outs. When play did commence, Offaly answered those who had installed Kilkenny as favorites by recording one of their most total victories (Offaly 2-16, Kilkenny 2-5). Although only 0-5 to 0-3 up by half time, the Faithful County had absorbed phenomenal pressure and had broken Kilkenny’s resolve by then. Offaly’s deft flicks and passes opened up the game in the second half, and the scores began to flow. With Kevin Kinahan in close attendance, DJ Carey made no headway until too late to matter. Since 1980, Offaly had now lifted the Bob O’Keeffe Cup nine times (to seven for the Cats). In the All Ireland Semi-final (6 August 1995), Offaly beat Down by 2-19 to 2-8. On a sweltering afternoon that sapped the energy of some players, Johnny Dooley’s 11-point contribution ensured that there would be no repeat of the Antrim result in 1989. Ger Loughnane’s Clare team would be the opposition on 3 September, in the 1995 All Ireland Final. On all known form, the reigning All Ireland Champions were the better bet to prevail on this occasion – provided they could rise to the same level of intensity as they had shown in the Leinster Final.

In the event, the Faithful County went down by two points (Clare 1-13, Offaly 2-8). While they had known that everything bar the kitchen sink would be thrown at them, Offaly were unbraced for the sheer wall of noise that greeted the Bannermens’ entry into the arena. Éamonn Cregan would afterwards reflect that, while Clare were not any fitter than Offaly, their grueling training sessions had conferred an advantage in terms of upper body strength. Ger Loughnane’s astute switches were a factor also, and Offaly only scored 1-2 after the interval. Even so, Kevin Kinahan defiantly retained control at full back, and the team’s greater skill and craft kept them in the hunt. Johnny Pilkington’s goal edged them two points in front with four minutes to go, at which stage a couple of wides let Clare off the hook. Clare substitute Eamonn Taaffe nabbed what proved the decisive goal when Antony Daly’s effort came back off the post. Referee Dickie Murphy blew it up after virtually no injury time. Having lifted the McCarthy Cup, Daly said in his acceptance speech that Offaly’s rise had been an inspiration to teams like Clare. This was scant consolation to the runners-up, who had left everything on the pitch in the quest to put All Ireland Titles back-to-back.

Offaly won promotion from Division 2 of the National Hurling League the following Spring, notwithstanding a hideous 1-28 to 1-1 NHL defeat to Galway on 18 February 1996, and an ominous 1-14 to 2-3 League Quarter-final exit at the hands of Wexford. When the championship commenced on 2 June 1996, Offaly also had trouble in putting Meath away (2-18 to 2-12). Liam Coughlan (goalie), Kevin Kinahan (full back), Johnny Dooley (left half forward), Joe Dooley (right half forward) and Billy Dooley (top of the left) lined out together – the first time that Seir Kieran had had five representatives in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship. Each of them went on to play in the Semi-final victory over Laois (Offaly 4-17, Laois 2-10), and in the Leinster Final defeat to Wexford on 14 July 1996 (Wexford 2-23, Offaly 2-15). Offaly’s sparkling performance in the Laois game (in which they scored 4-13 from play) had seemed to dispel all of the earlier doubts. Although caught by Wexford in the Final, the Model County’s eight-point margin was not an accurate reflection of how poised this epic game had been. Even so, Liam Griffin’s tactics worked as intended, and his team had the self-belief to keep the Midlanders under the kosh. It was a measure of Offaly that (in large part because of Liam Coughlan’s net-minding) they were only three points down on 66 minutes. However, once Wexford went four up at that stage, they had no choice put to extend everything and big gaps appeared, of which Wexford took full advantage. Offaly were desolate in defeat, and the team management resigned soon afterwards.

John McIntyre, the sports editor for the Connaught Tribune, would be appointed Offaly coach for the 1997 League and Championship, with selectors Willie Dooley (Seir Kieran), Jim Troy (Lusmagh), and Sean White (St Rynagh’s). Joe Dooley was Offaly’s captain for 1997, when the panel was freshened up by the likes of Gary Hanniffy and Gary Cahill (Birr), Ger Oakley (Carrig & Riverstown), Cillian Farrell (Edenderry), Paudie Mulhare (St Rynagh’s) and Colm Cassidy (Kilcormac/ Killoughey). However, the playmakers still comprised the “Old Guard” for the most part. In the first round of the Leinster Championship in Mullingar, Offaly saw off Meath much more handily than they had in 1996 (3-20 to 0-8), but were very nearly caught out by Laois in the next round (Offaly 1-11, Laois 2-7). It was back to Croke Park on 22 June 1997, when Offaly took on the All Ireland Champions in the Leinster Senior Hurling Semi-final. As in 1996, Offaly and Wexford served up an enthralling game; and Offaly came off second-best in the end. Wexford raised two green flags early on, but Billy Dooley’s goal just before the short whistle gave his team a fighting chance. However, it was the fourth quarter before Offaly meshed into their top gear. It was too late on this occasion, as Wexford advanced with a goal to spare (Wexford 3-12, Offaly 2-12).

This was only the fourth time in eighteen years that Offaly had failed to qualify for the Leinster Senior Hurling Final. In 1991, 1992 and 1993, Offaly had had recent success at Minor and U-21 level. There was no such silver lining in 1997. On the other hand, Offaly’s status as a hurling county was higher than ever before. At the August 1996 meeting of the Offaly County Board, Brendan Ward the chairman and Tony Murphy the hurling secretary recalled that during their four years in charge, Éamonn Cregan, Derry O’Donovan and their selectors had delivered two Leinster Titles, victory and runners-up in two All Ireland Championships, two Walsh Cups and one Oireachtas Title. Mr. Ward added:“That was tremendous progress. I pay tribute to those men, they did a powerful job for Offaly.”