Offaly prevail on emotional day as Liam Kearns honoured

On a difficult day for the Offaly and Tipperary players, both sides deserve credit for managing to serve up an entertaining game of football in Semple Stadium.

The sides paid a moving tribute to the late Liam Kearns before the throw in and his memory pervaded the air here.

The Kerry man was the Offaly manager this year and his sudden death last Sunday, hours after overseeing a training session, had devastated his players.

He also managed Tipperary for four years in the 2010s and this was a very emotional game for both counties – they stood to attention for a poignant guard of honour before the throw in.

A keenly contested and decent Division 3 tussle emerged with Offaly coming out on top thanks to injury-time goals from Ruairí McNamee and Anton Sullivan.

Tipperary had most of the possession in the first half but Offaly deservedly led by 0-09 to 0-07 at half time. The visitors were sharper up front, moved the ball that bit quicker and took more of their chances.

Tipp deservedly led by 0-03 to 0-01 after 13 minutes but should have been further in front. They also kicked three bad wides and were punished when Offaly found their form to lead by 0-5 to 0-3 after 21 minutes.

The home team recovered their composure and a point from the in form Stephen Quirke levelled it up at 0-06 each after 31 minutes – Quirke got three first half points. Offaly rallied again and excellent points from Dylan Hyland, Ruairí McNamee and Anton Sullivan got them three clear before Cathal Deely made it a two point game at the break.

The third quarter was hard enough to watch as Tipperary allowed Offaly to keep the ball in their own half-back line and midfield but it certainly sprung to life late on.

Offaly were 0-12 to 0-09 ahead when Ian Duffy denied Sean