You might recognise the above phrase often used to decribe rugby games but it could equally apply to Clare's senior footballers and their heartache this weekend only in reverse as backs win games and forwards decide by how much!

Clare led by 7 points entering the final 12 minutes of the game against Offaly yet the Faithful county managed to reel Clare in to be level after 70 minutes and then proceed to score 4 unaswered points at the start of the first period of extra time.

Clare's two main scoring threats were David Tubridy and Alan Clohessy with Kevin Cahill,who was introduced for the unlucky Dessie Molohan also impressive.

Clare restricted Offaly to just one point in the opening half as their opponents shot eight wides yet when Clare needed to shut the gate in the second half a failure to do so and the concession of  a goal in the dying minutes meant Clare's time in this years Championship was over.

Joe Hayes only picked the ball from his net  a handful of times  during the National league but Gary Hurney goaled for Waterford and the concession of two goals to Offaly proved Clare's undoing.

Collective responsibility will the harshest lesson Clare will learn from this, defeat.

Kerry secured a spot in the Musnter final by battling their way to extra time thanks to  the work of Marc O Se who  grabbed a point in injury time.

Kerry's backs then choked the life out of Cork which brings me back to my inital point.

Clare withheld Offaly in the opening half and scored freely  but once cracks appered in the Clare backline the forward line was deprived and Clare suffered with Clare being forced further and further back to get ball. 

That invited Offaly onto them and perhaps fitness may have gotten Offaly over the line but the need for Clare to have more options on the pitch and off the bench was clear on Saturday evening.

The future may not hold a run in the All Ireland Qualifers but this year has been productive and with one of two strong forceful players  added to the senior set up then Clare can and should build on their performances in 2010.