Watch: Bryant and Egan net goals as Offaly edge Kildare to take Division 3 title

March 30, 2025

Offaly captain Lee Pearson breaks the handle on the Division 3 trophy as he lifts it after the team's win over Kildare at Croke Park ©INPHO/James Crombie

Offaly are Allianz Football League Division 3 champions after battling past Kildare for a 2-17 to 1-18 victory in what was a cracking final at Croke Park this afternoon.

Jack Bryant’s sensational goal (watch it below) set the tone for the Faithful men after just three-and-a-half minutes, with the Shamrocks ace finding the top corner of Kildare’s net from all over 30 metres out to mark the perfect start for his side.

From there, Offaly were able to hold the advantage until back-to-back points from Alex Beirne steered the Lilywhites in front in the 25th minute, but a Jordan Hayes two-pointer and singles from Bryant and Keith O’Neill saw their side going in with a 1-10 to 0-10 advantage at half-time.

Jack McEvoy stretched the Faithful lead to four a minute into the restart ahead of Harry O’Neill palming in Kildare’s goal two minutes later.

Niall Kelly levelled it up after that but the next scores went the way of Declan Kelly and Mickey Harte’s charges, with a Dylan Hyland point being backed up by a Shane Tierney two-pointer.

The Lillies got it level again through Beirne with 15 minutes left, but Keith O’Neill would nudge Offaly ahead again ahead of Egan’s well taken goal and more points from O’Neill and Egan making it a six-point game in the 62nd minute.

Brian Flanagan’s men pushed to the finish, as Darragh Kirwan registered a hat-trick of points for them down the home stretch, but it left them two short in the end as the silverware would be headed back to the Faithful County.


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