June 21, SFC qualifier: 14-man Offaly cruise past Clare

Offaly 1-12 Clare 1-8

Influential centre-back Finbar Cullen received his marching orders early in the second half for a second bookable offence.

In the first half, there was little between the sides, but a near half time Offaly goal by corner-forward Niall McNamee gave the midlanders the advantage at the break.

By the mid-point of the second half, Offaly had raced into a 1-10 to 0-6 lead and, but for a Clare goal by Odran O’Dwyer in the 69th minute, which reduced their lead to three points, this tie proved to be a one-sided affair.

Clare’s lack of scoring ability upfront, coupled with the Faithful county’s accuracy, ended the Banner’s championship aspirations for this year.