Offaly stunned neighbours Tipperary with a hard-fought victory in Banagher on Saturday in the Intermediate League. Tipperary were met with the sheer physicality and determination of an energetic Offaly side that would not look out of place at Senior 'B' grade.

Last year's Junior All-Ireland Champions started the brighter and had Tipperary startled with their half and full-forward lines causing the Tipp defence no end of problems and 3 points gave them the perfect start.

Despite the sluggish opening, Tipp gradually came into contention, with corner forward Alison Lonergan dragged to the ground while attempting to break through the Offaly cover. Siobhan Ryan converted the free before centre forward Cora Hennessy sent a free from midfield over the posts to reduce the margin to a single point.

Geraldine Kinnane then forced the Offaly rearguard into a moment of hesitancy and Siobhan Ryan converted another free to give Tipperary a slender two-point lead.

Tipperary's Paula Ryan was then called into action, as Elaine Dermody advanced towards goal. The danger was averted, with Dermody converting the `45. Both sides traded scores before the break, the pick of the bunch coming from Tipperary's Sandra Dwyer after she was played in by Alison Lonergan.

The half-time score was flattering for a faltering Tipp side and at half-time the sides were level, six points apiece.

From the re-start Tipp's Siobhan Ryan converted a free after Cora Hennessy drew the foul to give Tipp the lead. However disaster struck seconds later when corner back Maria Tynan had to be taken off with a suspected dislocated shoulder.

Offaly then began to assert their dominance, with the illustrious Elaine Dermody scoring a long range free and a `45 in quick succession to restore their lead. Midfielder Arlene Watkins then got in on the act, before wing back Sheila Sullivan sent over a long-range effort.

However a deflected point from Cora Hennessy and another from Siobhan Ryan helped Tipp steady the ship going into the last quarter. Offaly's response was immediate, with Michelle Davis getting in on the act.

The introduction of Siobhan McGrath paid dividends as Tipp went in search of an equaliser. Siobhan McGrath popped up with two points to give Tipp a narrow lead. They were living on the edge with 10 minutes remaining.

Offaly's Jean Brady and Elaine Dermody added two further points to leave Tipp trailing by the narrowest of margins. Then came the crucial score. Offaly's Siobhan Flannery was bearing down on goal before she was hauled to the ground. Elaine Dermody opted for her point from the free to seal the victory.

Tipp responded with substitute Aoife Moloughney reducing the margin. However time ran out and Offaly were not to be denied. They showed Tipperary no respect and were not afraid to perform on the big stage.

Tipp can have no excuses. They simply failed to get out of the starting blocks.