Survival the name of the game for injury hit Offaly in NFL

SURIVIVAL is very much the name of the game for Offaly as they begin the final countdown to a teak tough National Football League Division 2 campaign.

Louth come to Tullamore next Sunday for an absolutely crunch game. It is one that will have a huge bearing on Offaly's prospects of staying up in the higher division and has long been targeted as a must win encounter.

The league draw has been kind to Offaly in that the games they have a chance of winning are all at home: Louth, Cork, Cavan and Meath while Kildare away will provide no fear factor whatsoever – they will be firmly in bonus territory when they travel to Derry and Tyrone on successive Saturday evenings towards the end of February.

Offaly performed really well to get promotion from Division 3 last year but unfortunately, injuries have loaded the dice against them staying there while outstanding midfielder Cillian Bourke has gone to Australia on a professional playing contract there.

Goalkeeper Paddy Dunican and Offaly senior footballer of the year Cathal Flynn are definitely out for the league while centre half back John Furlong and attacker Dylan Hyland will miss some games and may do well to get back for any. Midfielder Kyle Higgins is also only on the way back from a groin type injury and it is a list that really handicaps Offaly.

With Bourke leading the change from midfield and Furlong and Flynn orchestrating affairs from the pivotal centre half back and centre half forward positions, Offaly could at least talk about the possibility of promotion.

In many ways, there is no point in bemoaning the loss of Tullamore man Bourke. He is not on the radar for this year at least, possibly much longer and Offaly have no option but to accept that and move on.

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The injuries to Furlong, Flynn and others, however, means that Offaly's most realistic ambition for the league appears to be survival and as things stand, they will be many people's tip to return to Division 3.

Sunday's opener is a huge one and Offaly do have a chance here. They showed some encouraging form in the O'Byrne Cup when beating Carlow and Meath and have been working very hard. They are hungry for action, determined to compete at the highest level.

Louth had a great win in the Leinster Senior Football Championship last year but Offaly do not fear them and will always fancy their chances against them. It is a big ask for them to win this but it could happen and the result here will have such a big influence on Offaly's campaign.

National Football League Division 2

Sunday, January 25 – Offaly v Louth, O'Connor Park 2pm

Saturday, January 31 – Kildare v Offaly, Newbridge 6pm

Sunday, February 15 – Offaly v Cork, O'Connor Park 2pm

Saturday, February 21 – Derry v Offaly, Celtic Park, Derry 6pm

Saturday, February 28 – Tyrone v Offaly, Healy Park, Omagh 6pm

Sunday, March 15 – Offaly v Cavan, O'Connor Park 2pm

Sunday, March 22 – Offaly v Meath, O'Connor Park 1.30pm