Football League Division 4 round-up

Offaly and Limerick will meet in the Allianz Football League Division 4 final at Croke Park on Saturday, April 28, with both also earning promotion this afternoon.

Twelve months ago Tipperary condemned Offaly to Division 4 football following a victory in Clonmel, but this afternoon the Faithfuls earned revenge thanks to a 2-10 to 1-8 win at O'Connor Park.

Goals in either half from Niall McNamee paved the way for a home victory, in a contest that saw Offaly battle back after trailing by 0-5 to 0-2 early on.

McNamee's opening goal levelled the tie, after the Rhode clubman was assisted by Michael Brazil. Ahead by 1-3 to 0-5 at the interval, wind-assisted Offaly exerted further control on the restart.

A long ball from Graham Guilfoyle was palmed to McNamee by Ken Casey for Offaly's second goal, and although an Alan Maloney goal gave Tipperary a lifeline, Offaly finished the stronger side.

Tipperary suffered a series of setbacks in the second half, losing Peter Acheson and Michael Quinlivan to hamstring and knee injuries respectively, while Robbie Costigan was dismissed on a second yellow card in the 65th minute.

Limerick had six points to spare as they beat Munster rivals Clare by 1-13 to 0-10 at Cusack Park. A 59th minute goal from Ian Ryan put the result beyond doubt.

Limerick moved 0-5 to 0-0 clear early on with Ryan, Eoghan O'Connor, Ger Collins and Seanie Buckley all on target.

Clare cut the deficit to two points at the break, and there was just a point between the sides at 0-8 to 0-7 in the 50th minute.

The hosts worked hard, but David Tubridy's 54th minute penalty miss, after a fine save by Donal O'Sullivan, kept momentum with the visitors.

Limerick opened up a four-point gap before Ryan's goal put some daylight between the sides.

Meanwhile, Leitrim edged a closely-fought game at Carrick-On-Shannon when taking a 1-11 to 1-9 verdict over London.

London bagged an early goal through Lorcan Mulvey and although Leitrim were dealt a further blow when James Glancy was stretchered off, his replacement Conor Beirne duly found the net.

14-man Waterford got the better of Carlow on a 0-15 to 0-10 scoreline at Dr. Cullen Park.

Shane Ahearne was dismissed on a second yellow card, but Waterford still had enough to hand Carlow their fifth successive defeat.