Three first-half goals laid the foundations for Offaly’s win over Longford in the relegation play-off in Kinnegad this afternoon.

The result means that Offaly secure their Intermediate status for another year while Longford are relegated to the All-Ireland Junior Championship for next year. 

Offaly used the strong wind very much to their advantage in the opening half. They worked the ball well and opened up Longford’s defence on a number of occasions. Longford couldn’t contain the Offaly attack.

It has been a poor season for a young Longford side who are without a number of experienced players this year. They were relegated to Division 4 earlier this year and now drop to the Junior ranks for the first time since 2016.

Longford opened the scoring with a point from Katie Crawford in the second minute. Offaly replied with a rather fortuitous goal from Roisin Cockram in the fifth minute. Michelle Mann followed up with a point before Amy Gavin Mangan’s speculative effort ended up in the back of the net to extend Offaly’s lead to six points.

Points from Grace Shannon (2), Crawford and Fumni Talaba closed the gap to two in the 14th minute but that was the closest Longford got to Offaly. Emily Bailey grabbed Offaly’s third goal in the 18th minute.

Caoimhe Lynam was on target as the Faithful County were ahead by eight points at the break - 3-04 to 0-05.

Offaly started the second half very well. Ciara Walsh fired over a fine point before Cockram set Emma Hand up for a fourth goal in the 33rd minute. Mairead Reynolds’ effort was blocked down for a 45 in the 40th minute.

One minute later the Dromard player found the back of the net. It was Longford’s first score since the 14th minute. A free from Grace Shannon got Longford their sixth point of the game in the 42nd minute. 

There was no comeback though as Longford’s forward struggled to gain possession with the Offaly defence very much on top and able to deal with any attack.

Offaly very nearly got a fifth goal in the 44th minute but Emma Doris got back to clear the danger off the line and prevent Bailey from getting her second goal of the game.

The last score of the game was a pointed free from Shannon in stoppage time.