Offaly champs Clara through to semis

Clara (Offaly) 0-14 Rathvilly (Carlow) 1-8

Offaly champions Clara are through to their first AIB Leinster SFC semi-final, after withstanding a strong second half comeback by Carlow outfit Rathvilly in Tullamore today.

Thomas Deehan was a real match winner for Clara as he top-scored with 10 points and proved a vital cog throughout this entertaining tie.

Clara bounced back from the first-half dismissal of Ross Brady to lead by 0-8 to 0-2 at the interval, with Deehan shooting seven points.

The game took a major turn on the restart, with Clara conceding an own goal after a mix-up in the goalmouth with Dave Martin the last Rathvilly player to get a touch.

However, Clara kept on top thanks largely to the contribution of Deehan and sealed their place in the last-four.