This is the third successive year that the counties have met in Leinster and Longford have won both of the recent matches. Last year they recovered well to win in the end, keeping out a gaol attempt that would have tied the match.
Longford have lost home advantage because of the work required on Pearse Park and that together with issues relating to club matches prompted manager Denis Connerton to make a bleak statement about his team’s prospects, claiming that they were as good as in the qualifiers now.
Having been stung last year, Offaly are unlikely to be taken in. Their manager Pat Flanagan reckons that the Division Four league final win over the same opposition last year took something out of the team for the championship clash.
In this year’s league Offaly have looked better even though both teams just missed out on promotion.
Home advantage and the experience of last year can make the difference.
OFFALY: A Mulhall; B Darby, E Rigney, S Pender; N Darby, P Cunningham, J O'Connor; E Carroll, N Smith; G Guilfoyle, N Dunne, M Brazil; B Allen, N McNamee, J Moloney.
LONGFORD: P Collum; A Farrell, B Gilleran, B O'Farrell; D McElligott, D Brady, D Masterson; M Quinn (capt.), D Gallagher; D Reynolds, J McGivney, R Smyth; B McKeon, B Kavanagh, P McKeon.
Referee: A Nolan (Wicklow).
Last meeting: 2015 Leinster preliminary round, Tullamore, Longford 0-16, Offaly 0-13. Odds: Offaly 8/11, Longford 6/4 and 15/2 the draw. Injuries: None. Suspension: None. Just the ticket: Adult stand €20, terrace €10. Reductions for students and senior citizens. Accompanied children (two per adult) €5 stand and €3 terrace. Verdict: Offaly to win.
