Offaly dug deep to achieve promotion against the odds in a teak-tough tussle in O’Connor Park yesterday.

Tipperary, pre-match favourites, just didn't play up to form and could have no complaints at their defeat, even if the five -point final tally was a bit hard on them.

With the wind on their backs in the first half, Tipperary set up way too defensively and were stunned when a Niall McNamee goal just before half-time gave a hard-working Offaly side the initiative.

Anton Sullivan’s free gave Offaly a 1-3 to 0-5 interval lead.

In the second half, it was Offaly’s turn to engage in very defensive football as they didn’t push home their advantage.

A second goal from Niall McNamee gave them a 2-3 to 0-6 lead. But a fortunate goal from Tipp’s Alan Maloney left a point in it with 25 minutes left and it was anyone’s game.

A lot of the football was poor but Offaly finished strongly after Tipp centre back, Robbie Costigan was sent off for a second yellow, as they scored the closing four points.