Home Win Vital As Offaly Bid To Get League Campaign Back On Track
Thursday, 9 February 2012
SUNDAY'S visit by Roscommon to Tullamore will go a long way towards determining whether Offaly enter the promotion battle or the relegation dogfight in Division 3 of the National Football League.
Offaly made a very disappointing start last Sunday in Longford and this has heaped on early pressure for results.
While Offaly battled gamely and more than held their own in the first half, they could have no real complaints at a 2-15 to 0-8 defeat. Offaly did fairly well in the first half, producing some decent football but a well taken Paul Kelly goal put Longford in the driving seat and they led by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break.
In the second half, Offaly were over ran as Longford dictated proceedings. Offaly could only manage two second half points while Longford kicked a further nine points and sub, Niall Mulligan put the icing on the cake with a second goal.
It did not make nice viewing for the small traveling support but manager, Gerry Cooney and the squad will be given the time and space they need to try and turn things around.
On Sunday, they will entertain Roscommon in Tullamore, knowing that a win is absolutely vital but also knowing that they will have their work cut out.
Roscommon scraped a home win over Tipperary last Sunday and will be slight favourites, even though Offaly's record is generally good in Tullamore.
With four of their seven games away, this is an absolutely huge one for Offaly and they just can't afford to lose any of their matches in O'Connor Park if they hope to win promotion.
While Roscommon are a decent team, they are no world beaters and normally Offaly would expect to beat them: However, they have it all to do and a significant improvement will be required.
Offaly were without the injured Richie Dalton and Ross Brady in Longford and could badly do with both being available for this one - Especially as Longford won the midfield battle.
Offaly are again likely to be without star forward, Niall McNamee - McNamee is back training but won't be rushed back into action and will be given all the time he needs to get ready.
The unfortunate reality, however, is that Offaly will struggle to win games in McNamee's absence - Nigel Dunne, Bernard Allen and Anton Sullivan had their moments in Longford but Offaly were always going to find it difficult to reach double figures in scores, which you just have to do to win games.
On the plus side, Anton Sullivan will get better with match practice after recovering from a shoulder injury, though a strong case can be made for playing him in closer to goals rather than on the half forward line.
Offaly are working hard in training and their fitness will improve as the weeks go by but they could badly do with a win on Sunday. It will be tough and Offaly will have to improve but they are capable of getting the win they are crying out for.
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