Mark Fitzgerald hails renewed impetus and energy in Clare comeback against Offaly

Clare footballers are certainly giving us late drama in so far in Division 3 of the Allianz Football League.

Their first outing saw Clare kick the last score of the game to edge Sligo by the bare minimum. A fortnight ago defeat was their lot as Westmeath finished strongly to take the points, though there was added frustration for the Banner as they had a late goal ruled out for a square ball.

And so to Sunday afternoon in Tullamore. Offaly were ahead by ten points with 20 minutes left. The Munster side were so mediocre up to this that you couldn't see how they would win.

A penalty goal from Ciaran Downes short of the hour gave them a lifeline however and three points on the spin followed.

Moments later, sub Diarmuid O'Donnell, who hit 1-03 in total, levelled it up with a close-range goal and points from Cormac Murray and Daniel Walsh put them two ahead.

Offaly had a late chance to snatch a win when they were awarded a penalty but a relieved Clare were let off the hook when the resulting kick went over the bar. In the end it was a one-point win for the Munster side.

Banner manager Mark Fitzgerald was relieved when he spoke to RTÉ Sport afterwards.

"Credit to the lads, they were the ones who dug it out, and the lads who came off the bench, we probably owe them the match.

Explaining the comeback further, Fitzgerald just highlighted the perseverance his side showed when things were bleak.

"The lads kept the pressure on, kept trying, and those that came on gave us great energy and great impetus," he added.

"We got a fortuitous goal that dragged us back into it. The bizarre nature of us at the moment allowed them to get a penalty; lucky for us he [Peter Cunningham] put it over the bar."

When asked whether he was worried at his side