David Tubridy deceived everyone with an additional time goal from a sideline to rescue a draw for Clare against Armagh in their Allianz Football League Division 2 clash in Newry.
The Clare attacker top scored on the day with 1-7 as he single-handedly dragged his side into the contest such was his accuracy.
It was stalemate again for Armagh as they picked up another point from a draw this season having drew with Kildare last weekend.
Armagh through new breed Greg McCabe and Rian O’Neill lead the charge and looked in course before Indiscipline caught up with them.
Jamie Clarke receiving his marching orders in the first half proved costly down the stretch and they would see out the game with 13 as Aaron McKay picked up a second yellow at the death.
The game began and then began again as Clare wing forward Dermot Coughlan picked up a serious leg injury in the game’s first few seconds. The lengthy delay that followed had an adverse effect on the players after the youngster was taken away by stretcher with a round of applause.
Niall Grimley eventually settled the game down with a terrific point on the run only for Clare corner back Gordon Kelly land a rare point for Colm Collins men.
Armagh were in control of the early stages with majority of the possession but little head way on the scoreboard bar a Rian O’Neill brace.
Clare with Cian O’Dea deployed as sweeper countered well on occasions, but their execution let them down however the threat was there such was the space Armagh provided.
Then the moment of madness from Jamie Clarke, the corner man catching his marker Kevin Hartnett with an elbow mid way through the delayed opening period.
Jemar Hall and Grimley did provide the adequate response Kieran McGeeney would have expected but David Tubridy introduced himself into the game with a mark.
Greg McCabe stormed forward to take the ball off the shoulder of Stefan Campbell to bury to the net.
However it was Clare with Tubridy to the fore who would end the half in front. Tubridy landed three further points either side of an own goal for the Banner men.
Gavin Cooney who came in for Coughlan had a punched effort for a point blocked into the net giving Clare the lead 1-8 to 1-6 at the break.
Armagh upped the ante at the start of the second half with O’Neill and Vernon landing points before Grimley gave them the lead.
Tubridy did level but once Cathal O’Connor was dismissed for Clare on the 54th minute Kieran McGeeney’s charges looked to see out the game before Tubridy’s sideline heroics shared the spoils.
Armagh: Blaine Hughes; Aaron McKay, James Morgan, Mark Shields; Connaire Mackin (0-01), Greg McCabe (1-01), Aidan Forker; Stephen Sheridan, Niall Grimley(0-03, 0-02f); Jemar Hall (0-02), Rory Grugan(0-01, 0-01f),Charlie Vernon (0-01); Jamie Clarke, Rian O’Neill (0-03, 0-01m), Stefan Campbell.
Subs used: Joe McElroy (0-01) for S Campbell (52), Ryan McShane for C Vernon (57), Jason Duffy for M Shields (66), Ross McQuillian for J Hall (69).
Clare: Pierse DeLoughrey; Kevin Harnett, Cillian Brennan, Gordon Kelly (0-01); Cian O’Dea, Dean Ryan, Dale Masterson(0-01); Gary Brennan, Cathal O’Connor; Conal O hAinifein, Jamie Malone, Dermot Coughlan; Kieran Malone (0-01), Keelan Sexton, David Tubridy (1-07, 0-02f,1-01sl, 0-01m).
Subs used: Gavin Cooney for D Coughlan (12), Eoghan Collins for D Masterson (47), Darragh Bohannan for K Malone (59), Gearóid O’Brien for J Malone (66), Cormac Murray (St Joseph’s Miltown) for K Sexton (69).
Referee: Cormac Reilly (Meath)
