McManus works magic for Tubber

Former Offaly great Ciarán McManus played a leading role in Tubber’s victory over Ferbane in the crucial final round robin stage of the county senior football championship last night.

The 38-year-old former skipper celebrated the birth of his son Killian yesterday morning but turned out to help his team record a 1-13 to 2-9 win.

Ferbane only needed a draw to secure their place in the knockout stages and they looked well poised when they led 2-6 to 0-6 at half-time, thanks to two goals from Eddie Lowry, but McManus and Bernard Allen kicked the scores to get Tubber back into the tie. When Noel Browne punched home a goal to level matters with minutes left, the miracle comeback was on. Allen drew a free when he was fouled in the left corner and McManus stepped up to nail the critical shot from a tight angle, condemning Ferbane to the relegation play-offs in the process.