All-Ireland SHC Qualifiers Round One/ Tipperary 2-17 Offaly 2-13: Lar Corbett pounced for an injury-time goal that clinched victory for Tipperary in the opening round of the All-Ireland hurling qualifiers at Semple Stadium on Saturday.
Corbett's goal gave Tipperary a flattering four-point win over an Offaly side which was left to rue shooting 17 wides - opportunities that should have gained them a draw at the very least.
Babs Keating left out four of the players who had been involved in Tipperary's marathon three-game Munster semi-final defeat by Limerick, with captain Benny Dunne, Corbett, Darragh Egan and John Carroll all losing their starting positions in the forwards to Pa Burke, Liam Cahill, Ryan O'Dwyer and Francis Devanney.
Eoin Kelly blasted a free to the net in the sixth minute as Tipperary opened a 1-3 to 0-2 lead. However, Offaly hit back and a great run by Seán Ryan from 60 metres ended with the Birr man netting to level for Offaly in the 17th minute.
Game on in earnest and at half-time they were still level, 1-8 each.
Tipperary squandered two goal chances at the start of the second half. Corbett and Devanney being foiled before Damian Murray blazed a 20-metre free to the Tipperary net. Gary Hannify pointed and Offaly were coasting, 2-10 to 1-8, clear.
But Offaly's joy was shortlived as Tipperary fought back, with five unanswered points between the 44th and 52nd minutes bringing them level.
Kelly shot a beauty to give Tipperary the lead with two minutes to go, but Offaly did not give up. Three missed chances in the closing minutes cost them dearly and, in a last-minute surge, Corbett grabbed a clinching goal in the 72nd minute.
There was great relief in the Tipperary camp with the half backs outstanding and Eamon Corcoran man of the match, ably assisted by Conor O'Mahony and Hugh Moloney.
Paul Cleary, Brian Carroll, Seán Ryan and the Hannifys were the best Offaly had on show.
The visitors were understandably very disappointed, but had only themselves to blame for being heavily punished for wasting chances.
They must beat Cork next week to keep their championship hopes alive, not an impossibility if they can get their act together in front of the posts.
TIPPERARY: G Kennedy; E Buckley, D Fanning, D Fitzgerald; E Corcoran, C Mahoney, A Moloney; S McGrath, J Woodlock; F Devanney (0-2), R O'Dwyer, P Burke; S Butler (0-2), L Cahill, E Kelly (1-12, 1-10 frees). Subs: L Corbett (1-1)for Cahill, J Carroll for Burke, B Dunne for Fitzgerald (all half-time); T Stapleton for Woodlock (60 mins); W Ryan for Devanney (69 mins).
OFFALY: B Mullins; C Hernon, P Cleary (0-1), D Franks; K Brady, D Kenny, G Oakley; R Hannify (0-1), B Murphy; G Hannify (0-2), D Molloy, B Carroll (0-1); S Ryan (1-2), J Bergin (0-1), D Murray (1-5, all frees). Subs: A Egan for Molloy (44 mins); B Teehan for Kenny (54); S Dooley for Bergin (64 mins); M Cordial for Oakley (67 mins).
Referee: M Haverty(Galway).
