Clare surprise Cork to force replay

BY any criterion, Clare's last minute draw with Cork in the Munster football semi final in Ennis was a shock. After a poor showing against the Munster champions last year, John O'Keeffe's men were little fancied for yesterday's match, but they forced an injury time draw when Aidan O'Keeffe kicked a 45.

Cork manager Billy Morgan was unhappy about the award of the 45, but he can reflect that his side will now have two hard semifinal matches under their belts should they reach the Munster final. On the other hand, Kerry, who trounced Waterford in Saturday night's other semi final, have romped there.

Clare had good performances all around the pitch - including the positioning of Frankie Griffin at full back but the old failing of inadequate returns from superior possession haunted them.

In the 52nd minute of a tight match, a clever free by Colin Corkery found John O'Driscoll in space and he passed to Mark O'Sullivan for what looked the decisive goal and a lead of 1-7 to 0-6. They didn't, however, score again, and Clare pulled back the four point deficit to set up a replay in Cork next week.

Meanwhile, at Croke Park, yesterday was one of Offaly's days. Midland neighbours Laois came to Dublin for their Leinster hurling semi final off the back of a good League run and the excitement generated by Babs Keating in his first season in charge. They left in disarray, mercilessly flattened by one of those performances that seem to render redundant any debate about Offaly's status as the best team in the country.

Centre forward John Troy was the star of the show with 2-2 and an array of inventive touches. But many of his colleagues chipped in with solid contributions: Brian Whelehan was again immense at the back and Johnny Dooley came up with one of those totals, eight points, everyone takes for granted.

Afterwards, Keating was in subdued humour: "I did the best to the best of my ability with what I had in my short time here in charge and I have received full support from my, selectors and the county board.

The preliminaries over, he did indulge in a spot of prophecy: "I believe Offaly will go on to win the Leinster title. I think they will have too much for Wexford, but I do think that Galway will have a surprise for them and will pose a different problem. They won't make the mistakes we did. Two soft goals in the first half really hurt us.