National Hurling League Division One A/ Offaly 1-21 Cork 2-18: Spirited Offaly held All-Ireland champions Cork to a draw in a thrilling Allianz National League opener at St Brendan's Park, Birr, yesterday. Offaly didn't look like a team newly promoted from Division Two as they came very close to recording a shock win.

The teams were level four times in a gripping final quarter. Offaly had the advantage in the later stages before Cork's Joe Deane pounced for his side's second goal in the 55th minute. However, Offaly responded once more with points from Brian Carroll and Joe Bergin.

The contest was there for the taking with seven minutes left with teams tied at 2-17 to 1-20. The impressive Carroll hit his 13th point of the game to the delight of the home support and Offaly looked on course for victory.

But Cork rallied a final time and Timmy McCarthy earned the visitors a share of the spoils by grabbing the equalising point with two minutes remaining.

Offaly's performance will have encouraged manager John McIntyre and their fortunes could have been even better but for some dubious refereeing decisions.

Offaly began in promising fashion in the opening half and they led 0-7 to 0-4 after 12 minutes. In the 18th minute Offaly were ahead by a goal before Cork drew level thanks to a goal from a penalty by Diarmuid O'Sullivan, playing at wing back.

Ten minutes before half-time Offaly had a three-point lead again when full forward Bergin finished a rebound to the net following a save by Donal Óg Cusack.

Cork hit back with the final three efforts of the first half. However, after their good earlier work, Offaly led 1-13 to 1-10 at half time.

Another Carroll point pushed Offaly into a 1-16 to 1-12 lead five minutes into the second half and the scores continued to come frequently. Diarmuid O'Sullivan landed a free to cut the deficit to two points, 1-17 to 1-15, 12 minutes into the second half.

Cork were back in business again when Deane revealed his predatory instincts by capitalising on a error from Offaly goalkeeper Brian Mullins to score the visitors' second goal.

Ten minutes from time, Carroll hit his 12th point to level it for the home team. The teams traded scores once more and were deadlocked during a frantic finale. Carroll finally looked to have sealed Offaly's win before McCarthy had the last word.

OFFALY: B Mullins; B O'Meara, P Cleary, D Franks; K Brady, G Oakley, R Hanniffy; G Hanniffy (0-1), M Cordial; D Hayden (0-2), M O'Hara (0-2), B Murphy Capt (0-1); B Carroll (0-13, 9 frees), J Bergin (1-1), A Egan (0-1). Subs: S Browne for O'Hara, D Murray for Murphy.

CORK: D Óg Cusack; W Sherlock, C Cronin, C O'Connor; D O'Sullivan (1-2, one pen), R Curran, S O'Neill; T McCarthy (0-3), M O'Connell (0-2, one free); N McCarthy, G Callinan, R Conway (0-2); K Murphy (Sarsfields), K Murphy (Erin's Own, 0-1), J Deane (1-7, 6 frees). Subs: T Kenny for G Callinan, J Gardner (0-1) for M O'Connell, B Corcoran for N McCarthy, P Kelly for S O'Neill, C Cusack for K Murphy (Sarsfields).

Referee: M Haverty (Galway).