encouraging. Offaly easily retained their Walsh Cup Title (0-14 to 0-6) in a physically tough Final against Meath at Athboy, when Kevin Kinahan played at full back, Johnny Dooley (0-5) at wing forward, and Billy Dooley at top of the left. Joe Dooley, recovered from injury, rejoined the team in time for the make-or-break Leinster Senior Hurling Semi-final, against Kilkenny on 26 June 1994. The reigning All Ireland Champions were firm favorites not only to take the game, but to complete the three-in-a-row for the first time since 1913 (when the Graces, Walton and Dick "Drug" Walsh were in their prime). Instead, Offaly's determination, passion and will to win resulted in a 2-16 to 3-9 victory. Johnny Dooley was top scorer on six points, closely followed by Billy and Joe Dooley who finished on 1-2 apiece. Scored at the three-quarters stage, Joe's tonic of a goal capped his best performance since the late 1980s. In a last throw of the dice, the Kilkenny mentors put DJ Carey to full forward. Although Carey got little change out of Kevin Kinahan, the Cats did manage a consolatory 2-1 in the last six minutes, and got off lightly in the end. In the Leinster Senior Hurling Final on 17 July 1994, Offaly overcame a lackluster Wexford challenge by 1-18 to 0-14, to win their eighth Leinster Title. A highlight of the game was when John Troy (as though freeze-framing the state of play) reverse-flicked over his shoulder, for Billy Dooley to let fly for the goal that killed Wexford's rally. Martin Hanamy lifted the Bob O'Keeffe Cup, and the Faithful contingent in the crowd of 32,141 went wild. En route to a victory almost as important as the breakthrough in 1980, Offaly had beaten both Wexford and Kilkenny for the first time in 96 years. During the post-match interviews, Billy Dooley remarked that the forwards were clocking up scores like 2-22 and 3-24 in challenge games. The confidence that Offaly possessed such firepower would prove crucial when the going got tough in the All Ireland Final. In the interim, there were several heart-stopping moments in the All Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-final on 7 August, which ended Offaly 2-13, Galway 1-10. The Faithful County dominated the first half, but lost concentration and allowed a hard-hitting Galway side back into it in the third quarter. Billy Dooley's brave goal at that stage was crucial. Christy