How did Offaly topple Kildare again in Division 3 decider?

Offaly 2-17

Kildare 1-18

Just one week after securing promotion to Division 2 of the Allianz Football League for 2026, Kildare suffered a major set-back when losing out to Offaly (for the second time in a fortnight) in the final of the league's Division 3 decider at Croke Park.

It was a game that had plenty of excitement; plenty of good football, but ultimately it was Kildare's inability to convert more of the chances they created that saw them go under to the boys from The Faithful County by just two points.

Maybe the margin of defeat could be described as a bit flattering from a Kildare point of view but having said that they did have the opportunity to force extra-time when Callum Bolton had the chance of a two-pointer, not an easy chance it should be said, but the effort went well right and wide, just after the final whistle had been sounded.

It was The Lilies who opened the scoring after three minutes with Sallins man Colm Dalton firing over a fine point but Offaly did not wait too long to show they had brought the form they showed two weeks ago in Tullamore with them to Croke Park when full-forward Jack Bryant, who tormented the Kildare defence throughout the opening half in particular. The no. 14 stormed through the heart of the Kildare defence before unlashing a blistering shot that ended up in the back of Cian Burke's net and that after just four minutes.

A Kildare wide was brought back for a free on the 45m line and 'keeper, Cian Burke stepped up and knocked the ball over with consumate ease.

Offaly carved out a second goal chance on eight minutes, Jack Bryan again the main threat but this time his goal attempt was brilliantly blocked by Brian Byrne but the rebound saw Bryant gain possession and firing over to make it 1-1 to 0-3.
Calum Bolton pointed but Offaly responded with points from Cathal Flynn and the impressive Keith O'Neill; Kevin Feely replied but points from Bryant and Dylan Hyland saw the lead out to three.

James McGrath reduced the lead but The Lilies hit three points in a row, Ryan Houlihan, with the first and two frees from Kevin Feely, fouled himself for the first and after Callum Bolton made one of his many brilliant catches, was then impeded, the ball was brought forward and Kildare led by one with 25 minutes on the clock.

Just before that last point Brian Byrne came to Kildare's rescue once again with another powerful block but it did not take Offaly long to level up, corner back, Daire McDaid firing over to make it 0-9 to 1-6.

David Hyland made a brilliant dispossession tackle and from that Kildare attacked with James McGrath getting his second point of the game and Kildare were back in front 0-10 to 1-6.

Mick O'Grady made a full length diving block to deny Cormac Egan but while The Lilies hit three wides in a row, Offaly added a two-pointer from Jordan Hayes followed by a Keith O'Neill point, after the hooter, and Offaly led at the break 1-10 to 0-10.

Jack McEvoy quickly added a point on the resumption to stretch the lead out to four but Kildare got themselves right back in the game after a long ball in from Callum Bolton saw Niall Kelly get a hand to it and there was Harry O'Neill on the line to palm the ball to the back of the Offaly net, the lead now back to one and three minutes later the sides were level, Niall Kelly punched over after cutting in from the right wing.

Two poor wides from the boys in white before Dylan Hyland's free edged Offaly back in front and that went to three after a two pointer from Shane Tierney to leave three in it.

Kildare upped their game and the next six attacks saw Paddy McDermott, Alex Byrne and Byrne again with a free (along with three wides) had the sides level at 1-14 apiece again with 54 minutes on the clock.

Keith O'Neill edged Offaly back in front before a big moment of the game arrived with Cormac Egan cutting in along the end-line and while the defending left a lot to be desired, the no. 7 seemed to lose full possession but still managed to roll the ball past Cian Burke; Keith O'Neill added a point and the lead was out to five — 2-16 to 1-14 — Kildare looked in major trouble with 58 gone.

Darragh Kirwan hit a free right and wide; Alex Beirne left one short as Cormac Egan hit Offaly's final score of the game to push the lead out to six points.

In fairness Kildare refused to lie down and roll over.

Darragh Swords and Darragh Kirwan reduced the lead; Kirwan's effort just rising over the bar.

The Kildare fans were now in full voice as their favourites came again, this time Darragh Kirwan was on the charge when taken to the ground by three Offaly players; no card, black or yellow, the Naas man knocked over the resultant free and a minute

Alex Beirne met with the same response from Offaly, Kirwan knocking over the resultant free to leave the score reading Offaly 2-17 Kildare 1-18.

Back came Kildare seeking a two-pointer; in possession Alex Beirne, as the hooter sounded but his effort went right and wide as the game came to a close, Offaly winning by two 2-17 to 1-18 as Offaly were crowned Division 3 champions.

SCORERS

Offaly: Jack Bryant 1-3, Cormac Egan 1-1, Keith O'Neill 0-4, Jordan Hayes 0-2 (two-pointer), Dylan Hyland 0-2 (1 free), Shane Tierney 0-2 (two-pointer), Cathal Flynn 0-1, Daire McDaid 0-1, Jack McEvoy 0-1.

Kildare: Harry O'Neill 1-0, Darragh Kirwan 0-3 (2 frees); Alex Beirne 0-3 (1 free); Kevin Feely 0-2 (2 frees), James McGrath 0-2, Cian Burke 0-2 (2 pointer free), Ryan Houlihan 0-1, Calum Bolton 0-1, Colm Dalton 0-1, Niall Kelly 0-1, Paddy McDermott 0-1, Darragh Swords 0-1.

TEAMS

Offaly: Paddy Dunican; Lee Pearson, Aidan Bracken, Daire McDaid; Rory Egan, John Furlong, Cormac Egan; Jack McEvoy, Jordan Hayes; Kyle Higgins, Cathal Flynn, Keith O'Neill; Dylan Hyland, Jack Bryant, Shane Tierney. Subs: Ruairí McNamee for Dylan Hyland (67 minutes); Aaron Leavy for Jack McEvoy (67 minutes).

Kildare: Cian Burke; Harry O'Neill Mick O'Grady, Brian Byrne; Ryan Houlihan, James McGrath, David Hyland; Kevin Feely, Jack McKevitt; Cathal Hagney, Callum Bolton, Colm Dalton; Ryan Sinkey, Alex Beirne, Niall Kelly. Subs: Paddy McDermott for Cathal Hagney (26 minutes); Darragh Kirwan for Jack McKevitt half-time); Darragh Swords for Ryan Sinkey (44 minutes); Kevin Flynn for Mick O'Grady (54 minutes); Ryan Burke for Ryan Houlihan (58 minutes).

REFEREE: Kieran Eanetta, Tyrone.

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