2 August 1987, Offaly's fast-moving and nippy team gave a great display in which not one of them stood back, and were utterly deserving of their 2-13 to 0-12 victory. Billy Dooley at centre forward scored 1-0, while Johnny Dooley lined out beside him at left half forward. The All Ireland Semi-final took place two weeks later at Dundalk, where Offaly beat Antrim by 4-17 to 1-4. Johnny Dooley and goalie John Troy were the only non-Birr players in a "magnificent seven" Offaly defenders. (Dooley was switched to the forwards in the second half). In the All Ireland Minor Hurling Final on 6 September 1987, Offaly beat Tipperary by 2-8 to 0-12, to become the first Minor hurlers since Cork in 1978/9 to put All Ireland titles back-to-back. Johnny Dooley lined out at left half back, while Billy Dooley started at centre forward but scored 0-2 when switched to wing forward. When Tipperary stretched their lead early in the second half, Offaly never let their heads drop and their direct first-time hurling eventually paid off. Thomas Moylan the captain hoisted the Irish Prress Cup, which the team took on a slow "victory march" through the County. They were mobbed at Edenderry, Daingean, Tullamore, Kilcormac and finally Birr, where Paudge Mulhare said that Offaly hurling's future had never looked so bright as it did that day. Lifting the Sean Robbins Cup – Seir Kieran in 1988 NHL and Leinster Championship, spring and summer 1988 The National Hurling League of 1987/88 again featured three Seir Kieran players, Eugene Coughlan, Mick Coughlan and Joe Dooley. Starting out in Division 2, Offaly beat Laois in Birr in October 1987 (3-11 to 0-11) then beat Dublin in Tullamore in November (2-8 to 0-6). Big wins over Roscommon and Kerry preceded the Christmas break, then a similarly lop-sided game against Westmeath (5-11 to 1-3) on 23 February 1988 put Offaly into the League Quarter-final. The Westmeath game saw Eugene Coughlan play in the forwards for Offaly for the first time since May 1980. Although the same switch did not work so well in the Quarter-final in March, Offaly had an unexpected 2-11 to 1-13 victory over Galway, the reigning League and All Ireland champions. Mark Corrigan sent over a point in the last minute to clinch this match. At the Semi-final on 10 April 1988, Wexford seemed to be in pole position after scoring two second