A general view of Netwatch Cullen Park. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Electric Ireland Leinster minor football championship preliminary quarter-finals
Offaly 3-20 Wicklow 2-13 (AET)
Westmeath 2-12 Carlow 2-9
By Paul Keane
A double-digit, 10-point win for Offaly to send the Faithful through to an Electric Ireland Leinster MFC quarter-final clash with Meath.
But this was anything but routine for the hosts who were forced to endure extra-time before eventually advancing beyond a determined Wicklow side.
Goals from Tony Furey and Ruairi Woods in the additional 20 minutes did the trick for Offaly who outscored Wicklow by 2-7 to 0-3 in extra-time.
The evening will probably be remembered for the remarkable impact of Wicklow substitute Lucas Reid who registered 2-1 in a matter of minutes late in normal time to force extra-time.
Offaly had been 1-6 to 0-2 clear at half-time of normal time thanks in part to a Dylan Dunne goal.
They retained that seven-point lead with as many minutes to go, 1-12 to 0-8, but a Reid goal at that stage gave Wicklow hope.
His second three-pointer arrived in the 56th minute and Reid added a point shortly after to sensationally level the game.
Cian McNamee put Offaly back ahead with a terrific score from the right wing but Conor Fitzgerald's 60th minute point for Wicklow sent the game to extra-time at 1-13 to 2-10.
Wicklow only added three more points, however, as Offaly brought their impressive conditioning to bear on the game.
It also helped that Furey struck his goal shortly after the start of extra-time, taking away the momentum that Wicklow had built up.
Ciaran Duffy and Furey added points to leave Offaly with a commanding 2-16 to 2-11 lead at half-time of extra-time.
Woods' goal in the second period of extra-time effectively won it for Offaly and Cathal Weldon added a two-pointer for good measure.
Meanwhile, Westmeath came from behind to see off Carlow in the other preliminary quarter-final - setting up a quarter-final clash with Louth.
Ronan Dooley's goal in the opening minute for Carlow gave them a vital platform and they hit the interval leading by 1-6 to 0-4.
It wasn't until the 41st minute that Westmeath struck their first goal to finally take the lead and their second three-pointer after 51 minutes finally allowed them to breathe out.
It all means that six teams are left in the race for the Leinster MFC title; quarter-finalists Meath, Offaly, Louth and Westmeath as well as group winners Dublin and Kildare who are already through to the last four.
