NFL DIVISION THREE: Tipperary 1-11 Offaly 0-13:TIPPERARY EASED their relegation worries with a surprising, but richly deserved, one-point win in Tullamore yesterday.

It was a huge win for Tipperary who laid the foundations for victory with a blistering start to the second half.

Behind by seven points to four at half-time, Tipperary goalkeeper Matthew O’Donnell made a great save to deny Offaly substitute Graham Guilfoyle. Buoyed by that let-off, Tipperary then scored 1-3 without reply, Brian Mulvihill racing through the centre unimpeded to fire to the net.

Tipp continued to have the edge and were 1-10 to 0-8 ahead with 15 minutes left.

Offaly battled back and points from Niall McNamee and John Reynolds cut the deficit to the minimum, with Reynolds’ shot deep in injury-time screaming over the bar.

For Offaly it was a devastating result after a fine win in Louth the previous Sunday, but they could have no complaints after a dreadfully lacklustre display.

TIPPERARY:M O'Donnell; A Morrissey, P Codd, C McDonald; N Curran, H Coghlan, B Fox (0-1); B Jones, G Hannigan; J Cagney (0-1), P Austin (0-1), B Mulvihill (1-1); A Rockett, B Coen, B Grogan (0-7, four frees). Subs: S Hahessy for Rockett (30 mins), P Acheson for Coen (46), A Matassa for Cagney (63), C McGrath for Mulvihill (71).

OFFALY:A Mulhall; B Darby, S Brady, S Pender; S Sullivan, K Slattery, J Keane (0-1); R Dalton, N Smith; S Ryan, N McNamee (0-6, two frees), C McManus (0-2, one free, one 45); N Dunne, K Casey (0-1), J Reynolds (0-2). Subs: J Coughlan for N Smith (inj 13 mins) G Guilfoyle for Ryan (ht), B Connor (0-1) for Dunne (45m), B Allen for Coughlan (65m).

Referee:P O'Sullivan (Kerry).