The Dowling Cup will find a new home this year after Tullamore's reign as Offaly senior football champions was ended by Clara at O'Connor Park this evening.

A late Barry Cushen goal sealed a 3-13 to 2-11 quarter-final win for the Brosnasiders, which avenged last year's semi-final defeat to the Blues. County hurling star Shane Dooley was among the goals as Tullamore took a 2-3 to 0-6 lead into the break, but that was wiped out within minutes of the restart when a John Reynolds goal was followed by the lead point for Clara from Darren Coughlan.

When Graham Guilfoyle added a second goal to push Clara into a 2-9 to 2-4 lead, it looked to be all over for Tullamore, but the holders twice drew level through Dooley points before Cushen's late major finally settled it.

Gracefield are also through to the last four after they powered to a 5-9 to 2-9 victory over Ferbane in the first of the quarter-finals at O'Connor Park.

A Leon Fox goal handed Ferbane an early 1-2 to 0-2 lead, but Gracefield rallied to lead by 3-6 to 1-4 at half-time. Ruairi Allen and Jamie Evans raised further green flags in the second half to ensure the Laois-border club's place in tomorrow's semi-final draw along with Clara, Edenderry and championship favourites Rhode.

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