Tyrone Defeat Offaly

Sunday 01.03.2026

County

Tyrone 0-28 2-13 Offaly

Tyrone made a successful National League  return to O’Neill Park Dungannon to defeat Offaly with a much improved second half performance.

A lacklustre first half display from Tyrone saw them lead 0-12 1-7 at the break but it was far from an impressive first half. Three points in the first five minutes, through Seanie O’Donnell, Aidan Clarke and Lorcan McGarrity appeared to set Tyrone up for a comfortable evening against an Offaly side that was still looking for its first points of the league. A brace of scores from Keith O’Neill brought the visitors back into the contest. A two point effort from Ruairi Canavan and a second O’Donnell point increased the lead to four but Tyrone were guilty of allowing Offaly long periods of possession which denied the home side building on their good start.

Offaly were beginning to grow in confidence and O’Neill was unlucky to see his shot cannon back off the bar. The lively Cormac Egan got on the scoresheet and when the visitors won the kick out Harry Plunkett reduced the deficit to two. Cormac Quinn emulated Clarke with a fine score but Offaly drew level in the 24th minute, Tyrone failed to learn from the earlier let off as Jack McEvoy finished to the net after Jordan Hayes drove through the centre.

Ronan Cassidy and Marcas Dalton swapped scores before Ruairi Canavan edged Tyrone back in front only for Darragh Flynn to fist over from close range.

A well struck two pointer from Brian Kennedy and a Niall Devlin score gave Tyrone the advantage at the break.

Tyrone emerged a hungrier side on the restart, more pressure was placed on break ball and the home side saw the benefits immediately. Ben Cullen pointed and also nearly had a goal moments later, Tyrone settling for a Niall Devlin fisted score. Tyrone claimed the restart and Mattie Donnelly split the posts and the lead was out to five.

As the game was drifting away from Offaly Plunkett kicked a two pointer but Tyrone were now in control. Cassidy and Donnelly both claimed their second points and also created further goal chances but failed to take any. The first chance saw Daly kick over after Ruairi Canavan looked like he was fouled as he was about to shoot. Seanie O’Donnell drilled his shot just over, the third saw Lorcan McGarrity intercept the kick out and raced clear only to see his shot come back off the post.

The introduction of Joey Clarke and Darren McCurry improved Tyrone and despite scores from Rory Egan and a free from O’Neill Tyrone reeled off seven scores in succession, McCurry with a trio of points Cassidy and Donnelly both claiming their third scores with a couple of points from Canavan, to end the contest. Offaly weren’t helped when Jack McEvoy picked up a black card.

The recently introduced Michael McKernan nearly got a goal but kicked a point as the game entered its final minutes. Ruairi McCullagh’s first national league point came after a breach and brought Tyrone up t0-028.

Offaly did score a consolation goal in the final minute with Flynn finding the net as Tyrone ran out comfortable winners and can now look forward to a trip to Croke Park to face Meath. Offaly look like they will make a quick return to division three.