Minute's silence held for Liam Kearns as Offaly's late goals keep promotion hopes alive

• Published date: 18 March 2023
• Publication title: Irish Times: Web Edition Articles (Dublin, Ireland)

A minute's silence was observed in memory of Offaly manager Liam Kearns at Semple Stadium on Saturday following his unexpected death last week. The Kerry man had previously managed Tipperary, leading them to an All-Ireland semi-final

Offaly hit two late goals through Ruairí McNamee and Anton Sullivan in the game to maintain their promotion challenge and condemn Tipperary to the drop to Division Four.

Groundbreaking coach Liam Kearns made an outstanding contribution to football

They led 0-9 to 0-7 at half-time after playing with the breeze, and with four minutes left were still ahead (0-14 to 0-13). Tipp, down to 14 men with the black-carding of Liam McGrath in the 66th minute, threw everything into attack in search of the win they need to avoid relegation.

Goalkeeper Michael O'Reilly was operating as an extra defender but in an Offaly break after 72 minutes, the goalie was off his line and McNamee netted to secure the win. Two minutes later, Sullivan added Offaly's second goal to boost Offaly's promotion challenge.

McNamee, Peter Cunningham and Declan Hogan were key men in what was Offaly's fourth win in six outings, while for Tipp, who are relegated with a game still to play, Stephen Quirke, Kevin Fahey, and Emmet Moloney impressed.

TIPPERARY: M O Reilly; S O Connell, J Feehan, C Deeley (0-1); E Moloney, K Fahey, C O'Shaughnessy; P Feehan, J Kennedy (0-3, two frees); S Quirke (0-3), K Ryan, T Doyle; M O'Shea (0-1), C Cadell (0-1), S O'Connor.

Subs: D Leahy for Doyle (38 mins), M Russell (0-2, two frees) for Cadell (43), L McGrath for P Feehan (56), M Stokes for O'Shea (61).

OFFALY: I Duffy; L Pearson, D Hogan, D Dempsey; R Egan, P Cunningham, C Donohoe; J McEvoy, C McNamee; J Maher (0-1), R McNamee (1-3), N Dunne (0-4, one free); B Allen, A Sullivan (1-1), D Hyland (0-4, two frees).

Subs: L Egan for Maher (48 mins), J Bryant for Dunne (56), C Farrell for Allen (66).

Referee: J Molloy (Galway).

Antrim 1-17 Cavan 2-12

Antrim fended off a late Cavan charge to grab a huge win at Corrigan Park to give their aspirations of avoiding relegation a huge boost, while leaving the visitors' promotion hopes on ice.

Two weeks on from a drubbing in Mullingar, the Saffrons were a different prospect and sounded early warning when Eoghan McCabe sent a direct ball into Aghagallon's Ruairí McCann on five minutes and he thumped to the net.

They did get a little luck with Cavan's Jack McKenna palming over when the goal was at his mercy and the crossbar later denied the Cavan...