Offaly shared the spoils with All-Ireland champions Cork in an entertaining NHL Division 1A clash at Birr that finished 1-21 to 2-18.
Rebel worries were eased when midfielder Timmy McCarthy landed a 68th-minute point to level for the eighth time. Offaly may have afforded the Sam Maguire Cup holders the traditional guard of honour before the throw-in, but they offered John Allen's visitors little room to manoeuvre in a lively opening half.
The Faithfuls took the early iniative and led 0-07 to 0-04 after a furious first 12 minutes. Coolderry forward Brian Carroll, Offaly's leading light throughout, landed four of his side's opening points - two from play.
Cork replied to Offaly's barrage with overs from Deane, an 80-metre monster from Diarmuid O'Sullivan, who lined out at wing back, and Ronan Conway.
Offaly strenghtened their lead to 1-10 to 0-06 on 25 minutes when minor star Joe Bergin, showing no ill-affects of his recent ankle injury, blasted to the Cork net after 'keeper Donal Og Cusack had parried a shot from new corner forward Alan Egan.
Cork managed to garner a penalty goal in reply. Kieran Murphy of Sarsfields was felled by David Franks in the area and Deane cheekily tossed the penalty over to the waiting O'Sullivan who crashed an unstoppable shot past Offaly stopper Brian Mullins.
While a McCarthy point cut the gap to 1-10 to 1-13 for Cork by half-time, Rebels boss Allen sent for reinforcements with John Gardiner and Brian Corcoran both coming off the bench in the second half.
Midfielder Mickey O'Connell, back after opting out of the inter-county scene last season, opened the second half scoring but three points from Carroll sent Offaly 1-16 to 1-12 in front, with Deane also on target for Cork.
Another brace from Carroll was answered by white flags from Deane, O'Sullivan and Conway. Decisively, Cork then notched their second goal to move level for the fifth time. Deane watched gleefully as his low shot squirmed past Mullins for a 2-15 to 1-18 score line.
Gardiner and Deane traded further points with Carroll (0-02) and Bergin before McCarthy hit the leveller, two minutes from time.
