Offaly hurling manager Eamonn Kelly.
Saturday May 7
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Round Robin
Offaly v Carlow, O’Connor Park, Tullamore, 3pm
By Cian O'Connell
Suddenly a Saturday of significance beckons for Offaly, who need a win to maintain their interest in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship.
Last Sunday’s comprehensive loss against neighbours Westmeath at Cusack Park, Mullingar has been followed by a week of debate in the midlands.
Ultimately it means the upcoming clash with Carlow carries huge importance for Offaly, who are completely aware that improvement is necessary.
While Offaly were suffering a first summer loss against Westmeath for 40 years, Kerry proved too crafty for Carlow.
Now Offaly and Carlow hit O’Connor Park fully aware that a victory needs to be posted to attain a place in the provincial knockout stages.
“Aside from Carlow we know we have a huge task to get our own house in order, we're down a lot of players from injuries even from last week so whoever takes that field is going to have to give a good account of themselves,” Offaly boss Eamonn Kelly said at the Leinster Championship launch during the week.
“All I know is we have a group of players who are not playing to their potential. If they play to their potential and we get the best out of ourselves, that's all you can control.”
Last Sunday was a bitter disappointment for Offaly.
Kelly is hopeful that the work Offaly are carrying out at underage level will be rewarded in the future.
"They are starting to address it in that they are doing their development work underage which is great.
“There is a nice U-21 team there this year, it would be great to see them making a bit of progress. It is what it is.
“I've a very honest bunch of players putting in a huge effort and we are not showing it on the playing field over the last couple of performances. So it's a big week for us.
Crucial matches arrive thick and fast in the Round Robin series so Kelly wants Offaly to summon an instant response according to Kelly. “In some ways it's a good thing that we have a short turnaround, we don't have to be dwelling too much on last week, we need to try to get back to get a performance at least.
“We had a game plan and we didn't implement it. We seemed to be second to the ball, we didn't seem to be up for the fight. Westmeath, it was a credit to them, they were flying, they wanted it more and they got the result.”
