Clare came in needing to win by 11 points. It was a target that could have been achieved but for their wastefulness. They finished with 15 wides. When Clare eventually got in for a goal at the fourth attempt through Aaron Griffin on 64 minutes, it moved them 1-14 to 2-8 in front. They had another goal opportunity immediately after to get within five points of their target but Offaly ‘keeper Paddy Dunican, who kicked the game’s sole two-pointer, denied Cormac Murray. Griffin grabbed a second major in the fifth injury-time minute of the seven allotted, but time ran out on their promotion push. Offaly were in disbelief at half-time. They could not believe their good fortune. They could not believe the five-point interval lead that had fallen into their lap. Yes, they’d been clinical, converting seven out of nine scoring chances. But, in the round, they had been completely outplayed. Their opponents’ sole issue - and it was a sizable one - was their inability to steer the ball between the posts. A deeply frustrated Clare retired to the dressing-room at half-time with a wide count 11-strong. Within that was a Keelan Sexton goal effort that touched the post before dribbling wide and a Brian McNamara green flag chance punched wide. Clare’s other first-half goal opportunity was an Emmet McMahon drive deflected out for a 45. On top of the 11 wides, there were another four point attempts dropped short. Compounding this wastage was Offaly’s two first-half goals. The first came from nothing, the second a piercing move through the centre of the Banner defence. The opening goal was their opening score. A Jordan Hayes delivery on 12 minutes was touched to the net by John Furlong. Their second, on 34 minutes, involved Furlong and Cormac Egan and was finished by Cathal Flynn. 2-5 to 0-6 to the visitors at the break. Offaly kicked only three scores in the second period. It was enough. They return to Division 2 for the first time since 2022. Scorers for Clare: A Griffin (2-0); K Sexton (0-4, 0-1 ‘45), M McInerney (0-4, 0-2 frees, 0-1 ‘45), E Cleay (0-4, 0-1 free); C Rouine, E McMahon (0-1 each). Scorers for Offaly: J Furlong, C Flynn (1-0 each); P Dunican (tpf) J Bryant (0-2 each); K O’Neill, D Hyland, S Tierney, N Dunne (free), M Dalton (0-1 each). CLARE: E Tubridy; R Lanigan, C Brennan, M Doherty; I Ugweuru, C Rouine, A Sweeney; B McNamara, E McMahon; D Coughlan, A Griffin, C Downes; E Cleary, M McInerney, K Sexton. Subs: D Burns for Sexton (55, inj); C Murray for Cleary (58); E Cahill for Downes (67); S Griffin for Sweeney (73); D Walsh for McInerney (75). OFFALY: P Dunican; L Pearson, A Bracken, D McDaid; C Egan, J Furlong, R Egan; J McEvoy, J Hayes; M Dalton, C Flynn, K O’Neill; D Hyland, J Bryant, S Tierney. Subs: A Leavy for Bracken (HT); R McNamee for Dalton (59); N Dunne for C Egan (67). Referee: D Hickey (Carlow)