Offaly and Cork share spoils

Offaly 1-21 Cork 2-18, Birr

Offaly shared the spoils with All-Ireland champions Cork in an entertaining NHL Division 1A clash at Birr.

Rebel worries were eased when midfielder Timmy McCarthy landed a 68th-minute point to level for the eighth time.

Offaly took the early initiative with full-forward Joe Bergin netting from a rebounded Donal Og Cusack save. But Joe Deane tossed a penalty to Diarmuid O’Sullivan to goal late in the first half.

Trailing by 1-10 to 1-13 at half-time, a Deane goal helped Cork back on terms. Offaly’s Brian Carroll took his personal tally to 0-13 but McCarthy rescued a draw for Cork.