McManus works magic for Tubber
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.
Tubber play neighbours Clara in the quarter-finals after they wrapped up top spot in group one with a 2-16 to 1-10 victory over St Brigid’s.
Rhode set a new record with the largest ever winning margin in the Offaly SFC when they hammered Walsh Island 7-23 to 1-5 at Ballyfore. Walsh Island are into a relegation semi-final while Rhode face St Rynagh’s in the last eight. St Rynagh’s secured their progression with a 2-11 to 0-9 win over Erin Rovers, Gary Mahon and Joe Carroll scoring the goals.
Edenderry and Ballycumber were assured of progression from group one and consequently there was a lack of bite to their clash at O’Connor Park last night, with Edenderry wrapping up a handy 0-16 to 0-6 victory.
Tullamore and Gracefield also progressed, with Gracefield set to play Edenderry and Tullamore down to meet Ballycumber in the last eight. There was little between these two in the final game of the round but a red card for Gracefield’s Ruairi Allen when the sides were level helped Tullamore emerge victorious (0-12 to 0-9).
