OFFALY SFC SEMI-FINALS Clara 0-14 Tullamore 0-11:AN EXHIBITION of corner forward play from the two number 15s brightened up the Offaly SFC semi-final between Clara and Tullamore in O'Connor Park on Saturday.

Clara’s Thomas Deehan and Tullamore’s Shane Dooley were in sensational form as they landed eight points each and the quality of their point kicking, both from play and frees, was the big talking point.

It was Deehan, however, who was smiling at the end as Clara stayed on course to retain the Dowling Cup with a hard-earned three-point win over an emerging Tullamore side.

Clara were favourites going into the game but were pushed all the way by a gallant Tullamore side. Just a point separated the sides as the game entered injury-time but brilliant closing points from Graham Guilfoyle and Deehan secured the win for Clara.

Apart from the two corner forwards, the game never reached any huge standard but it was still enjoyable stuff. Clara made the better start and led by 0-3 to 0-1 after 12 minutes but Tullamore came into their own after this and had edged a point in front by the 17th minute.

Two Deehan frees helped Clara to an interval lead of 0-7 to 0-5 and the second half was a very tight affair. Tullamore were ahead by a point after six minutes but Clara then began to find their range and were able to book their passage to the final.

Meanwhile, the second semi-final between Rhode and Shamrocks was cancelled yesterday because of a bereavement in Shamrocks.