Most teams probably view themselves as a “different animal” once they establish some winning momentum, although it’s always seemed a particularly apt description for the Offaly footballers. Just think 1982 and all that.
Last year could certainly be described that way: after accumulating a couple of hard fought wins in the early rounds of Division Four, Offaly finished with something of a roar, and even if they lost the title outright to Limerick, promotion to Division Three was a just reward. Then, after losing some of that roar to Kildare in the championship, they tamely exited the summer, their tail between their legs, after a 22-point hammering to Tyrone.
So to Sunday’s opening game, away to Wexford, and the chance to establish some of that roar again. Defeat would make the hunt for promotion extra difficult, especially as Offaly face four games on the road, and no one knows this better than team captain Niall McNamee.
“Yeah, it’s a very big game to open with, but I’m really looking forward to it,” he says.” It won’t be easy though. We played Wexford in the O’Byrne Cup, [in Tullamore] and they beat us, by three points. But we are looking to build on last year.
“It’s nice to be back in a higher division, and if we can get a good start, get at least a couple of points out of our first two games. Because I think Offaly are a different animal if we win a couple of games. And if we’re there or thereabouts you wouldn’t rule us out of getting promoted.”
Dual players
McNamee, now 28, took an extra bit of a breather over the winter to ensure he returned as fresh as possible for this league campaign. Manager Emmet McDonnell, now in his second year in charge, understands too the importance of consistency this year.That task is helped by the agreement with new Offaly hurling manager Brian Whelahan to share some of the county's dual players, including the likes of Shane Dooley, Seán Ryan, Conor Mahon, Colin Egan and Dan Currams – even though most of those are coming off injury.
“It’s brilliant for us,” says McNamee. “A lot of the hurlers in Offaly are very good footballers, and we need big men, we need numbers. They’re all big men, and that’s only strengthened our panel. I think the two managers are working well together, so we’ll have to see.”
This development, interestingly, comes as their opponents on Sunday, Wexford, have lost the services of their dual player Lee Chin, who has decided to focus on hurling alone for the time being. McNamee understands that decision, but sees no reason what players can’t still combine both codes.
“I think the biggest thing is managers have to work together. I know Emmet and Brian have spoken to one another about this, and have obviously worked out a plan around the lads. If the lads are training three nights a week, two with the football, one with the hurling, and they’re tired one of the nights, they just don’t train. You have to be sensible with these lads. There’s no point burning them out. I suppose if they’re playing hurling they can work on their touch when they’re with the hurlers and do the physical stuff with us.
“So in my opinion it’s easily managed, and once the player wants to do it they should be facilitated in the best way possible. Especially in counties like Offaly, and probably Wexford too, who have an overlap of players. We need all the best players we have. And anyone who can play hurling and football at intercounty level should be supported, and encouraged. It’s an incredible achievement to be able to do such a thing.”
Some counties, however, still feel different, Dublin footballer manager Jim Gavin recently reiterating his belief that players can’t expect to perform at the highest level if they’re playing both football and hurling. Dublin can perhaps afford that luxury, given their numbers and depth of talent. Indeed McNamee also questions the extra financial status now bestowed on Dublin, given their recent sponsorship agreements.
Another level
"We played Dublin in a Leinster final, in 2006, and we competed with them very well," says McNamee. "And on another day probably could have beaten them. But looking back then, to where we are now, and where Dublin are, you'd have to question if we're going to get to that level again. If you look back through the history of the GAA, teams have always come and go so you never know. It can turn in a couple of years.
“But you have to be realistic about it. I think financially Dublin are on a different level than anybody else. In my opinion, it’s probably unfair, in a lot of ways. We’d probably be struggling for a lot of things that just come naturally to the Dublin lads. If Jim Gavin asks for ‘x’ amount he’ll get it the next day, whereas the funds probably aren’t there [in Offaly] and it’s up to players then to fundraise.”
For now, however, the only tier Offaly are concerned about is what lies between Division Three and Division Two – and establishing the winning momentum to get them across it.
