NFL Division One A/Offaly 1-11 Monaghan 1-11: A share of the points was a result that neither side welcomed in Tullamore as Offaly and Monaghan continued to fight the threat of relegation.
Nevertheless, a draw was probably a fair outcome to a sternly contested game in which scores were level on six occasions.
Offaly deserve the greater credit for salvaging a point, for they were numerically disadvantaged for all but six minutes of the second half following the sending off of their influential wing back Karol Slattery for a second yellow card offence.
Conditions were far from conducive to constructive football for rain fell steadily throughout the 70 minutes and although the O'Connor Park pitch stood up well, the ball was hard to control.
A greater ability to master the conditions enabled the visitors to lead at half-time by 0-7 to 0-4, although the sides might have turned over on level terms had Neville Coughlan not fluffed a great goal-scoring chance for Offaly just before the break.
Still, considering that they had played against a strong wind, a three-point deficit left Kevin Kilmurry's side real contenders. Although Monaghan drew first blood on the resumption, Offaly reeled off a sequence of five unanswered points to take the lead in the 55th minute.
At that stage they appeared to be taking control, but they were rocked back on their heels in a four-minute spell that saw points by substitute Kieran Tavey and Paul Finlay followed by the former being sent through by Vincent Corey to crash the ball past goalkeeper Kevin Meehan.
That restored Monaghan's four-point lead, but Offaly produced a quick response when Alan McNamee set up his brother, Niall, to score a cracking goal.
Pointed frees by Colm Quinn and Ciarán McManus edged Offaly in front, but, in a heartstopping finish, Dick Clerkin came to the visitors' rescue with an equalising point. The intensity of the exchanges was reflected in the six yellow cards produced by referee Michael Ryan.
OFFALY: K Meehan; G Rafferty, S Sullivan, S Casey; N Grennan, S Brady, K Slattery; C McManus (0-2), A McNamee; C Quinn(0-2), N Coughlan (0-2), L Mooney; T Deehan (0-1), P Kellaghan, N McNamee (1-4). Subs: J Coughlan for Mooney (45 mins); S Ryan for N Coughlan (67 mins).
MONAGHAN: S Duffy; C Flanagan, J Coyle, D Morgan; D McArdle (0-1), D Clerkin (0-2), K Sheerin; V Corey, P Finlay (0-2); H McIlroy (0-1), P McGuigan (0-1), S Gollogly; T Freeman (0-3), E Lennon, R Woods. Subs: B McKenna for McGuigan (half-time); K Tavey (1-1) for McIlroy (51 mins).
Referee: M Ryan (Limerick).
