Offaly Senior Football teams profiled ahead of start of championship

GROUP 2 - FERBANE

Manager – Ger Rafferty; Coach, Colin Kenny;

Selectors – Willie Farrell, Kevin Flynn, Brian Keenaghan;

Captain – Kevin Nugent;

Retirements/Long term injuries – Paddy Clancy is abroad;

New players – Kyle Higgins has returned from abroad;

Last year – Beaten by Tullamore in the final;

Star player – Cathal Flynn;

Key players – Joe Maher, Cian Johnson, Leon Fox;

Prospects – Ferbane are potential county champions. They are marginally behind Tullamore in the initial pecking order but they were only two points behind them in last year's final, and a point down in injury time. Tullamore were definitely worthy winners but Ferbane could have snatched it and have no fear of the holders. The championship format suits them with their dual commitments with Belmont and they don't have to worry about the group stages. There are doubts about Ferbane but if Tullamore slip up, they are well equipped to take advantage.