GAA: Wicklow defeat Offaly by 3-12 to 0-17 in All-Ireland SFC qualifier in Aughrim

Goals in either half from Seanie Furlong helped Wicklow to a 3-12 to 0-17 victory over Offaly at Aughrim.

The full-forward’s 14th-minute strike helped the Garden County into a 1-8 to 0-9 lead at half time and he struck again minutes after the restart to put daylight between the sides.

Offaly fought back through the excellent Niall McNamee, who scored 0-10, but Darren Hayden’s late goal secured victory for Harry Murphy’s side.

After an even opening, Wicklow scored their first goal when Leighton Glynn’s shot came back off the crossbar and fell perfectly for Furlong, who punched the ball home.

Glynn missed another goal chance late in the half, while Wicklow lost Dean Healy to a black card, but they held on to lead by two points at the short whistle.

The home side came out fighting in the second half and Furlong scored his second goal on 41 minutes, Glynn again the architect.

McNamee kept Offaly in the contest, reducing the gap to four points, but their challenge was ended by Hayden with three minutes remaining when he pounced for Wicklow’s third goal.

Scorers

Wicklow: S Furlong 2-2, L Glynn 0-4 (1f), D Hayden 1-0, A Murphy 0-2, D Healy, J Stafford, A McLoughlin, J McGrath 0-1 each.

Offaly: N McNamee 0-10 (5f), J Maher 0-3 (2f), P Cunningham, A Sullivan, J Moloney, N Smith 0-1 each.