Late Nugent point earns Clare a draw as Offaly ‘up the ante’

WITH home advantage and the concession of an equalising point almost three minutes into injury time, Offaly had more reason to be disappointed with the outcome in Birr yesterday.

Nevertheless, a draw was a fair result from a cracking Allianz NHL tie that was of considerable importance to both sides and ended with Barry Nugent emerging as the Clare hero.

After a poor display in Wexford Park, Offaly’s form delighted manager John McIntyre, who joked it was the first time he wouldn’t go into a Clare dressing room to congratulate them.