Kildare book Allianz League Division 2A final spot after draw with Offaly

The celebrations of a thrilled Kildare camp showed what the National Hurling League draw with Offaly in Tullamore meant to them.

The 0-23 to 2-17 result was enough to secure their place in the league final in a couple of weeks time while Offaly must now regroup for a home semi-final against Kerry next weekend.

With a gruelling Joe McDonagh Cup campaign around the corner, this match was approached with a much higher level of intensity than would normally be the case where the stakes were not that high and there was an escape chute for the losers.

However, they both desperately wanted a week off to allow tired bodies recover and get in some hard training. That reward went to Kildare as the draw was enough for them to top the division on scoring difference ahead of Offaly.

In the wind up, the draw was controversial as their equalising point from sharp shooter James Burke came well over the alloted four minutes of injury time. There was 75.20 minutes on the clock when Offaly goalkeeper Stephen Burke didn't deal with a long ball in and was then penalised as he tried to protect it.

The free in was not a big issue but the time added on certainly was for Offaly, whose sideline had also reacted furiously to some of referee Chris Mooney's decisions during the second half – with one of them getting a yellow card.

Over the balance of play, Kildare probably did deserve a draw. They had been outstanding for twenty second half minutes when they outscored Offaly by 0-10 to 0-01 and this was where the real damage was done for the home side.

Without setting the world on fire, Offaly had been marginally the better side in the first half and their 0-13 to 0-10 interval lead was a fair reflection of the game. Kildare had plenty of possession,