It was a case of third time lucky for Clare as Shónagh Enright's injury-time goal ended their final heartbreak at Croke Park this afternoon.
The Banner girls claimed the Gala All-Ireland Junior Camogie title for the first time since 1986 and also avenged their defeats to Dublin (2006) and Derry (2007).
Last year's decider saw them lead into injury-time but a late goal from Derry's Aisling Diamond denied them their fourth New Ireland Cup.
Eager to put things right this year, Colm Hanley's charges grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat when the 17-year-old Enright from Kilmaley netted on the rebound, a minute into injury-time.
Offaly, who had led for much of this entertaining encounter, could not create any further scoring chances and were understandably devastated when referee Una Kearney blew for full-time.
Managed by former All-Ireland hurling winner Joachim Kelly, the Faithfuls were runners-up in Division 3 of the National League this year and were contesting their first All-Ireland final since 2001.
Understandably nervous, Offaly leaked a fifth-minute goal when Carina Roseingrave, another teenage talent, scored from a tight angle after taking a well-placed pass from Laura Linnane.
Clare had threatened right from the throw-in but Elaine Darmody, Offaly's best defender throughout, put in a solid clearance.
That led to the game's opening point for Siobhan Flannery, who slotted over after a lengthy run by the elusive Tina Hannon.
Hannon's speed on the ball caused a number of problems for Clare and helped Offaly get back level by the 10th minute.
Points from Flannery, Hannon and Fiona Stephens sandwiched a neat score from Clare's Sharon McMahon as Kelly's side got back on terms at 1-01 to 0-04.
The game was sparking into life as Roseingrave ended a powerful run by splitting the posts.
Offaly centre-back Michaela Morkan followed up with a fine point from a long range free, levelling again, before Flannery missed a couple of scoring chances.
But what looked to be a significant twist occurred in the 20th minute.
Arlene Watkins, who fulfilled her life-long ambition by playing at GAA headquarters today, dashed through the Clare cover to score a superb individual goal.
The Birr youngster took a Marion Crean through-ball straight onto her hurley and evading the grasp of three players, she was able to fire a pinpoint shot past Clare goalkeeper Denise Lynch.
Offaly piled on the pressure by adding points from the on song Watkins and Hannon. Clare's backs were being caught for pace and their captain Deirdre Murphy disappointed when striking successive wides.
The Banner outfit needed a steadying score and they almost replied with a goal. A surging burst forward by substitute Fiona Lafferty got her within range, only for her dipping shot to go the wrong side of the right post.
That much-needed score did arrive, just moments later, when Claire Commane gobbled up possession and hammered over a fine point to close the gap for Clare from 1-07 to 1-03.
With a four-point half-time deficit, Clare needed to make a strong start to the second period and they got just that when Laura Linnane pointed a 34th-minute free.
Luck was not on Clare's side in the opening exchanges as a Claire McMahon point attempt was parried by Offaly net minder Audrey Kennedy and in a similar situation, Fiona Lafferty agonised as her rangy effort bounced down off an upright.
Clare were missing too many chances, yet Offaly were finding it harder and harder to register scores. Indeed, they had to wait until the 16th minute of the second half before they could add to their tally.
Kennedy had to be sharp again as she batted down a Deirdre Murphy point shot from close to the crossbar. Clare regrouped quickly though, using their experience of previous finals, and another Linnane point pushed her side onto 1-05.
Offaly worked themselves a goal chance but substitute Jeanette Feighery's stinging effort was brilliantly saved by Denise Lynch and then scrambled to safety.
A Linnane free, for her third point, made it a one-point game.
And although Morkan and substitute Jean Brady both fluffed their lines in front of goal, another effective solo run from Hannon chalked up Offaly's first point after the resumption.
The pace was electric as both sides, realising there were just 13 minutes left, tore into each other.
Enright announced herself with a well-taken point to again heap the pressure on Offaly.
With their confidence up, Clare carved out another goal-scoring opportunity but after a lovely run and pass from Roseingrave, Sharon McMahon had a 'fresh air' shot and Offaly survived.
It was then Offaly's turn to dominate for a short spell. Watkins won a free which Morkan pointed and off the next attack, Hannon scooped up a loose ball and popped over her fourth point in economical fashion.
Would Offaly be able to hold on and collect their first Junior crown? It was looking very likely as, with the minutes ticking by, they had reopened a three-point lead - 1-10 to 1-07.
Nevertheless, Clare, the reigning Division 2 champions, came with a telling, final spurt. The nerveless Linnane stroked over her fourth point of the second half and that teed up a grandstand finish which included Enright's all-important goal.
The goal was far from a thing of beauty. Offaly goalkeeper Kennedy looked to have saved her side's bacon by saving the initial shot.
Yet Enright was alert enough to follow up in the hope of getting onto the rebound and she did just that, palming home to the net for the decisive score of the hour.
Cruel luck for Offaly but the hard work had finally paid off for Deirdre Murphy and her team-mates, who celebrated deliriously in the aftermath.
CLARE: D Lynch; C Hally, S Lafferty, A McInerney; K Lynch, D Corcoran, J Scanlon; C Morey, D Murphy (capt); C Roseingrave (1-01), S McMahon (0-01), L Linnane (0-04, 0-03f); S Enright (1-01), C McMahon, C Commane (0-01).
Subs used: F Lafferty for Morey (23 mins), A Ryan for Enright (half-time-44 mins), A Ryan for C McMahon (48).
OFFALY: A Kennedy; A Kelly, E Darmody, K Brady; S O'Sullivan, M Morkan (0-02, 0-02f), L Sullivan; M Crean (capt), K Nugent; S Flannery (0-02, 0-02f), T Hannon (0-04), M Davis; F Stephens (0-01), N McCabe, A Watkins (1-01).
Subs used: J Feighery for McCabe for (22 mins), L Keena for Kelly (half-time), J Brady for Davis (38), A Corrigan for Flannery, A Kelly for K Brady (both 48).
Referee: Una Kearney (Armagh)
