MARTY KAVANAGH’S 12th point of the day salvaged a draw for CARLOW against OFFALY at O’Connor Park.
The hosts’ failure to threaten the visitors’ goal at any stage meant they struggled to turn their supremacy into a commanding lead.
The Division 1B clash finished 0-19 to 1-16 in Tullamore, with Carlow getting the only goal through James Doyle with five minutes played.
Offaly took control in the second quarter and by half-time they led by 0-13 to 1-7, with centre-forward Dan Bourke and full-forward Charlie Mitchell scoring 0-3 each in that 35 minutes.
However, they continued to concede handy frees to Kavanagh, who struggled with his accuracy in the opening half but relentlessly punished every foul after half-time.
Ciarán Whelan and Fiachra Fitzpatrick got the better of things at midfield to help Carlow establish a platform.
And while Offaly’s defence was dominant in open play, they left the door open with a couple of glaring errors up front and led by just two, 0-19 to 1-14, going into stoppage time.
Kavanagh got two chances, one from 60 metres out and one from just inside his own 65 with the last puck, and the St Mullin’s man nailed both.
In Division 2, there were tight games all round.
First-half goals from Daithí Sands and Eoin Pucci helped DOWN to a 2-19 to 0-22 win over KILDARE in Ballycran.
A miserable opening 35 minutes for the Lilywhites brought a missed penalty and ten wides.
Yet they came from seven behind to lead by one with five minutes to play, only for the Ulstermen to prevail.
DONEGAL almost pulled off a shock against MEATH in Trim but a penalty goal from keeper Luke White and a series of fine frees from Gerry Gilmore were not quite enough.
Goals from Cian Rogers and Jack Regan helped Meath to a narrow 2-12 to 1-14 victory.
In Omagh, DERRY won 1-13 to 0-14 despite Aidy Kelly’s 0-11 haul for TYRONE.
