Offaly make long trek to Celtic Park to take on Derry on Saturday

OFFALY footballers face another tough day at the office on Saturday evening next when they make the long trip to Celtic Park in Derry to take on the home side in the fourth round of the Allianz Football League.

It has been a difficult campaign so far for Offaly and it doesn't get any easier with this trip to take on a side which appears to be regaining form after a long spell without a win.

Having gained promotion from Division 3 last year, Offaly were hoping to make a good stab at Division 2 but from the off they have been severely hampered by a string of injuries which sees them operating without a lot of front line players. With limited resources compared to many other counties, they can ill afford to be without so many players and that is being reflected in their results.

They were in the game for long periods in their opening encounter with Louth but eventually went down by a five point margin. They travelled to Newbridge after that and the concession of three goals cost them on that occasion. Similarly on Sunday last three more goals were decisive as Cork came to Tullamore and went away with a five point victory. Offaly showed some character in the second half in reducing a big Cork lead to five points, but in truth Offaly never really looked like threatening a major comeback.

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Since winning Division 1 of the league a couple of years ago, Derry have endured a torrid time. Current Offaly co-manager Mickey Harte, was the Derry supremo when they defeated Dublin on penalties in that league final, but the wheels came off after that and they had a very poor championship. Their form continued to plummet last year and they were relegated from Division 1 and again had a disappointing championship.

Now they are looking to get things moving again and were favourites for a quick return back to Division 1 at the start of the campaign. They made a bright start in their opening game against Meath in Croke Park, but Meath hit back and it was another Derry loss and questions were being asked again. However they have bounced back well from that and defeated Tyrone at home in their second game before going to Newbridge, where Offaly lost, and defeating Kildare last Saturday night to put them right back in the promotion race.

Going to Celtic Park for a night time fixture will be a serious test of Offaly's resolve and it would be considered a bit of a shock if they were to get anything out of the game. What they will be hoping for is a battling performance and another display of their character but Derry will definitely be favourites to get the win.

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