Win over Cork non negotiable in battle to avoid National Football League relegation

THERE are still plenty of games to be played but victory is practically non negotiable for Offaly when they meet Cork in round 3 of the National Football League Division 2 in Tullamore next Sunday.

Having lost their opening two games to Louth and Kildare, Offaly's margin for error has narrowed dramatically and they are now staring relegation back to Division 3 in the face.

Offaly have four fixtures to come after Sunday and eight points will secure safety but if Cork return south with the points in the bag, the game will be more or less up for the home side. After Cork, they travel north for two floodlit fixtures in Derry and Tyrone, followed by home games against Cavan and Meath.

You never know and the impression that there is a big performance in Offaly is strong but at this moment in time, it is difficult to envisage them getting anything out of the journeys to the six counties.

A defeat against Cork will put them well down the road to Division 3 – a journey that they have already embarked on with the room for u-turns narrowing with every passing week.

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There are extenuating circumstances in Offaly's plight. In Paddy Dunican, John Furlong, Cathal Flynn and Dylan Hyland, they are missing a quartet of their most influential players. Defender Aidan Bracken and attacking dynamo Shane Tierney have also missed all the games too date and this duo would make a definite difference.

There was a lot of noise from a handful of people on social media after Offaly lost to Kildare in the last game but a sense of balance is required. There may well be issues about using the bench, there may well be players not there who some people consider to be county footballers and some people might pick the team differently if they were the management but the absence of six experienced players, most of them automatic first teamers, would devastate the prospects of any side - and that is the hand Offaly's joint managers Mickey Harte and Declan Kelly have been dealt.

With even John Furlong and Cathal Flynn on board, it is very possible that Offaly would have been able to grab the win against Louth and these two players are cruel losses.

Irrespective of all that, Offaly are now on very tricky ground, the ice weakening with every stride. They have performed to an extent in their two games but have shipped too much water in their poor spells and a good start is absolutely crucial on Sunday.

They did fully utilise their bench in their defeat to Kildare when they made a brave second half bid at pulling back in a 2-9 to 0-6 half time deficit before falling away late on. Nathan Poland scored three sensational points in the blink of an eye, Marcas Dalton began to run at the Kildare defence from deep and Harry Plunkett provided further evidence that he is one of the best finishers in Offaly, scoring four points. They gave a debut to a raw but promising Killeigh man, Eoin Dunne and his strength could be a great asset at midfield while Daire McDaid came into the defence, and Offaly fans know all about what he can offer when moving up the field into attack.

There is a lot of improvements that can be made and consistency within games is a big issue for Offaly as they face into Sunday's big game.

Cork are warm favourites to take the two points. They have hit the ground running and are joint top after opening wins over Cavan and Louth. They are going well and playing better than Offaly have played so far.

Without getting at least a couple of players back, it is hard to see Offaly winning this. They are performing with great honesty and hunger but some of the Offaly team have been a bit short of their best form.

Under Declan Kelly and Mickey Harte, Offaly are generally competitive and perform to a decent level. They are tough and hard to beat but you also have to go after games, to take your man on in close to goals and score. Offaly won't fear Cork and have been very close to beating them in the recent past. They know the stakes here, there are no hiding places left and there is definite potential for Offaly to produce a really good display here. A win would change the whole trajectory of the league and it could happen but the form book suggests that Cork will be able to get the win.