National Football League Division 3: Clare 2-10 Offaly 1-12
A frantic finish in Tullamore saw Clare edge a dramatic tussle with Offaly in Division 3 of the National Football League.
Mark Fitzgerald’s side came from 1-10 to 0-4 down after 51 minutes to collect their second victory in this year’s campaign.
The comeback was started when substitute Einne O’Connor was fouled in the square and Ciaran Downes slammed the penalty home to leave five between the sides.
Diarmuid O’Donnell (2) and Emmet McMahon reduced the lead further before a Ruairí McNamee point left Offaly 1-11 to 1-8 clear in additional time.
O’Donnell levelled the sides with a brilliant finish on the rebound after great work from Cormac Murray, and Murray along with Daniel Walsh put Clare 2-10 to 1-11 in front with time almost up.
There was time to have one last twist as Peter Cunningham saw his late penalty just clear the crossbar to give Clare the one point win.
Offaly were the better side for much of the contest and led 0-7 to 0-3 at the break having played with the wind. That dominance continued in the third quarter and when Anton Sullivan fisted home a high dropping ball, it saw the home lead by nine points with 20 mins to go.
Clare’s bench played a key role in the comeback, as the Banner now look forward to a showdown with Wicklow next weekend in Cusack Park