Offaly's All-Ireland final triumph in 1994 is fondly remembered outside Limerick as the Five Minute Final. Trailing by five points with just five minutes to go, the Faithful County stunned Limerick with a quickfire 2-5 to win the game by six points. Even the Five Minute Final though doesn't compare to the level of collapse witnessed in O'Connor Park today.
26 years later, Offaly hurling is a long, long way from the heights of 1994. After dropping to the third level of Championship hurling for 2020, they were very hopeful of at least getting back to Division 1 of the National League for 2021 under new manager Michael Fennelly. A win today in Tullamore against Antrim would have gotten them into a promotion final against the same opposition. Amazingly, despite circumstances, it didn't work out that way.
Leading by six points after 76 (!) minutes, and basically home and hosed, Antrim scored two goals in the last two attacks of the game to rescue a draw and ensure they'll be playing against Kerry in the final, and Offaly will remain in Division 2 for another year.
Goal McManus! pic.twitter.com/cursqjtnE7
— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) March 8, 2020
Neil McManus put home a cracking finish after 41 minutes but with time already at the discretion of the referee, it appeared too little too late. Then, after eight minutes of added time, the unthinkable happened for Offaly.
Goal! pic.twitter.com/tD4BWGpm5V
— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) March 8, 2020
Offaly will now look forward to the Christy Ring cup in a few weeks. They share Group 1, remarkably, with Derry, Sligo, and Wicklow.
NHL FT Antrim 2-13 Offaly 0-20. An absolutely sickening draw for Offaly to condemn them to another season in Division 2A. After a stuttering 1st half display, they had played well in the 2nd half and looked home and dry when 6 pts up with the 6 minutes of allotted injury time up
— Kevin Corrigan (@kevcorrigantrib) March 8, 2020
National Hurling League Division 2A (FT)
Offaly 0-20 (20)
Antrim 2-14 (20) #GAA
Definition of a disaster, two late goals in the last minute ended Offaly’s chances of reaching the final
Hard luck men !— Offaly Match Tracker 📱 (@OffalyTracker) March 8, 2020
FT. Antrim 2-14 Offaly 0-20. A scarcely believable finish. Offaly led by six after 6 minutes of additional time played. Two goals in a further two minutes the last two attacks of the game by Antrim deny Offaly a league final place. Players dejected, supporters irate.
— Joe Troy (@TheRealJT23) March 8, 2020
Offaly lead 0-20 to 0-14, the 4th official signalled 6 mins of stoppage time. Antrim got goals in the 76th and the 78th min. Offaly not happy with the amount of stoppage time played. https://t.co/5xgoEfoPBh
— Paudie Palmer (@PaudieP) March 8, 2020
For Antrim, they will face Kerry, having beaten the same team just last week and will be favourites to go back to Division 1 after a two year absence.
There's a chant the GAA could do with hearing a bit more! https://t.co/2cldrLa1RO
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 8, 2020
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