Clare booked their place in Monday morning's round three qualifier draw thanks to a narrow two point victory over Offaly, with the visitors scraping over the line after a marvelous effort from the Midlands outfit throughout the game.
A goal from Ruairi McNamee gave Offaly an early advantage which they built on to lead by 1-03 0-02 with 13 minutes on the clock.
Clare were then denied what looked to be a stone-wall penalty after corner-back Eoghan Collins appeared to be fouled, but play was waved on much to the bemusement of the Clare contingent present in O’Connor Park.
Banner forward Jamie Malone then got the game’s opening goal, with a great finish to the back of the net after a superb set-up by Keelan Sexton to reduce the deficit to one point, but the Corofin clubman was wondering how he hadn’t scored a hat-trick before the break as two of his goal-bound attempts rebounded off the crossbar and the post respectively.
Clare looked to be well in control heading into the interval, but Offaly were awarded a penalty before the break when Shane Nally was fouled by Pearse Lillis and goalkeeper Alan Mulhall made no mistake with the finish to leave the teams deadlocked at half-time.
Colm Collins charges hit the woodwork three times in the opening half, and dropped numerous efforts short and hit seven wides.
Offaly looked a different side in the second period and were leading in the 44th minute when an excellent effort from Anton Sullivan sailed between the posts.
This was as good as it got for the home side, however, as Clare responded with four points in succession and Offaly could never get back on level terms.
An outstanding point from Eoin Cleary gave Clare the lead late on and substitute Kevin Harnett added one more late on as his side advanced by the skin of their teeth.
For Clare this result builds on the outstanding progress the team has made since Colm Collins took over, and Faithful fans will be optimistic that Paul Rouse will continue to be in charge in 2019, with Offaly completely turning their season around since his appointment in May.
Offaly: Alan Mulhall (1-00, 1-00 pen); Brian Darby, Sean Pender, James Lalor,; Declan Hogan, Paul McConway, Niall Darby; Michael Brazil, Conor McNamee; Cian Donoghue, Shane Nally, Ruairi McNamee (1-2); Bernard Allen (0-05, 0-5f), Anton Sullivan (0-03), Johnny Moloney (0-04).
Subs: Jordan Hayes for Donoghue (h-t), Peter Cunningham for Nally (41), Eoin Rigney for Hogan (50), Colm Doyle for Pender (51), Jamie Evans for McNamee (57),Joseph O’Connor for Moloney (75).
Clare: Eamon Tubridy;, Eoghan Collins, Cillian Brennan Gordon Kelly; Cian O’Dea (0-01), Aaron Fitzgerald, Pearse Lillis (0-01); Gary Brennan, Cathal O’Connor; Keelan Sexton, Ciaran Malone (0-02), Jamie Malone (1-04); Eimhin Courtney, David Tubridy (0-01), Eoin Cleary (0-06, 0-02f).
Subs: Gavin Cooney (0-01) for Courtney (h-t), Robert Eyres for Eamon Tubridy (42), Gearoid O’Brien (0-02) for David Tubridy (57), Conal O’Hainfein for Ciaran Malone (63), Jonah Culligan for Sexton (67), Kevin Harnett (0-01) for Collins (72).
Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon).
