Offaly learn Tailteann Cup semi-final opponents

Lee Pearson has found his best form again and bursts out of defence here against Down | Sports

placeholder image — Lee Pearson has found his best form again and bursts out of defence here against Down | Sports

Fixture details will be announced later on Monday

OFFALY senior footballers discovered their Tailteann Cup semi-final opponents on Monday morning.

Their earlier clash meant they couldn't get the Tailteann Cup favourites, Down in the semi-final draw on RTE Radio and could only get Wicklow or Fermanagh.

They duly got Wicklow and while fixture details will be finalised later today, it will almost certainly be a Croke Park double bill with Down and Fermanagh next Saturday – Sunday is ruled out as Offaly have an All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final against Cork in Thurles.

Offaly had an excellent win over Down in round 2 of the second tier championship and as a result, a repeat pairing can't take place until a final, if both counties win their semi-finals against counties from their own province.

The squad have turned their season around spectacularly in the Tailteann Cup after losing their first eight games of the season. They have beaten Clare, Down and Wexford to advance to the semi-finals with their hunger returning after a championship malfunction against Laois and their fitness levels improving dramatically in recent weeks.

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While Down remain the favourites, Offaly's form suggests that a Tailteann Cup success is very possible and their confidence is sky high.