Bennett points the way as Waterford defeat 14-man Offaly for return to Division 1A

March 22, 2025

Waterford's Patrick Curran and Offaly's Donal Shirley ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Stephen Bennett struck a dozen points as Waterford sealed their promotion back to Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League thanks to a 0-212 to 1-11 victory against Offaly in Dungarvan.

The two same teams are now set to meet again in the Division 1B final two weeks from tomorrow (April 6th) at a venue yet to be decided.

Stephen Queally’s side held a 0-10 to 0-6 lead at the halfway stage of this afternoon’s final round to at Fraher Field and saw it wiped out early in the second-half, with the points of Brian Duigan (free) and Charlie Mitchell before backed up by a Duignan goal in the 38th minute.

Bennett’s frees steered the Deise men back in front and they’d got motoring again from there as scores from Jamie Barron, Gavin Fives and Tom Barron stretched their advantage to four.

James Mahon’s sending off for the visitors in the first-half looked to have a significant impact on them down the home stretch, as they were outscored by 0-7 to 0-0 in the closing 20 minutes which suited Waterford for the win that sees them joining their Faithful counterparts in the league’s top tier next year.

In Portlaoise, Dublin were comfortable 2-21 to 0-13 winners over a Laois side that saw their relegation confirmed ahead of this weekend’s final round of games.

Darragh Power and David Purcell fired in the goals at Laois Hire O'Moore Park as the capital men cruised to their fourth league win which sees them finishing third in the Division 1B table.

Westmeath were also playing for pride today and, in doing do, recorded their first win of the campaign at the expense of Carlow.

It finished 3-18 to 3-15 at Netwatch Cullen Park, where the visitors’ bagged their goals in the first-half via Killian Doyle and David Williams (2) before holding out for the three-point victory in the end.


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