Rhode's bid for a fifth Offaly SFC title in six years is still alive, but only after Niall McNamee blasted home a 63rd minute goal at a wet and windy Bord na Móna O'Connor Park today to earn a county final replay with Tullamore.

The record 30-time champions looked to be heading for defeat when trailing by five points at the second water-break and down to 14-men after the earlier sending off of veteran midfielder Alan McNamee, but his younger brother Niall (1-4) was immense when it mattered most as Malachy McNulty's never-say-die outfit staged a late rally to earn a 1-8 apiece draw.

Tullamore, who lined out without injured Offaly All-Ireland U20 star Cormac Egan, got off to a perfect start when Aaron Leavy struck the game's opening goal three minutes in and that was what ultimately gave them a 1-4 to 0-4 cushion at the break.

Tullamore's Harry Plunkett with Pauric Sullivan of Rhode. ©INPHO/Bryan Keane.

Niall Stack's charges continued to hold momentum after the break with Nigel Bracken, introduced for the second-half, and All-Ireland U20 winner John Furlong pushing them five points ahead, 1-7 to 0-5.

But defending champions Rhode weren't going to lie down that easily as they conjured up an impressive finale with points from Anton Sullivan and Niall McNamee whose goal came with the last kick of the contest.

When @RhodeGAA were three points down in the Offaly football final today, and it was the third minute of injury-time, Niall McNamee did this: pic.twitter.com/Yaj8l0kAKi

— Official Offaly GAA (@Offaly_GAA) October 31, 2021

 

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