Down's Adrian Scullion races clear of Offaly's Pascal Kellaghan

Down lost the Allianz NFL Division Two final by two points to Offaly at Croke Park on Sunday.

Missed chances proved the difference between the two sides as a quicker Offaly side ran out deserved victors.

Offaly looked to have the game wrapped up when Niall Coughlan scored a great solo goal.

But Shane Ward came back with a quick reply for Down, but a number of wides from their forwards proved the downfall for Paddy O'Rourke's side.

Down looked confident in the early stages when Liam Doyle and Danny Hughes got them on the way as the teams play a low-key 0-5 to 0-5 half-time scoreline.

Just before the break both goalkeepers excelled in making brilliant stops with Down's Michael McVeigh and his opposite number Padraig Kelly keeping a blank sheet.

But once Roy Malone shot over the first point in the second half to put Offaly ahead for the first time the game swayed away from Down.

Down's Martin Cole is harassed by Offaly's Alan McNamee

The excellent Ciaran McManus puts Offaly two points ahead before Coughlan ran nearly the length of the field to score the first goal of the game as the Down defence went on holiday.

Scott Brady then pushed Offaly five points ahead with 13 minutes of the second half played and Down looked out.

But a great goal by Ward put Down's tails up as the Offaly defence becamenervous.

McManus, who finished on five points, three from frees, kept Offaly ahead.

However, points from Gregory McCartan and two frees from Michael Walsh never allowed Offaly an easy ride home.

Kerry 3-11 1-16 Galway

In the Division One final, Kerry take over the mantle from Tyrone when they won an exciting fast-flowing game in defeating Galway by the narrowest of margins.

Four goals and 37 points from two teams that were full of enterprising play and a credit to the game.

However, it was the Kerry goals that made the difference in the end with a John Crowley double and a superbly-struck penalty by Frank Russell.

Michael Donlan did reply late in the game for Galway, but it came just too late. Donlan also contributed four points in a high-octane game while Padraig Joyce was also on target with five points.

Russell was Kerry's top marksman with six points which helped his side to a 1-08 to 0-9 half-time advantage.