WATCH: Offaly joint managers react to Tailteann Cup victory over Wexford
Tailteann Cup: Offaly v Wexford reaction
Offaly’s joint managers Declan Kelly and Micky Harte say they are looking forward to Monday morning’s Tailteann Cup draw during which they will find out who their side will face at Croke Park in the semi-finals.
Trailing by six points at half time in Saturday’s quarter final after playing against a strong wind, the pair were satisfied that they had laid a powerful foundation and could qualify for next Saturday's Tailteann Cup semi-final in Croke Park.
Offaly could have had Wexford beaten at half time of Saturday's quarter-final in Tullamore but conceded five two pointers and a very soft goal to make it much trickier than it should have been.
While there was plenty of work to do, there was confidence in the squad, management and among supporters that Offaly would be able to get the win and they duly did that in the second half, playing very well to march on, 1-21 to 1-16.
Declan Kelly reflected: “At half time, we were happy enough. We played well in the first half to be fair but conceded four (five) two pointers and then the goal. It was just a long ball in but we had actually played good football and were six down at half time. If they hadn't got the goal, we would have been very pleased considering the wind.
“In the second half they done well. We brought them back to a draw pretty quickly.
He agreed that it was a six point wind, noting that Wexford led by eight points at one stage in the first half. “In fairness to the lads, we worked in a couple of points to bring it back to six and that was manageable.”
Asked was he concerned at the ease with which Wexford were scoring two pointers in the first half, Mickey Harte said: “We weren't liking that at all but the other side of it was they weren't creating that many scoring attacks. They got five two points in the first half and that is just five shots on goal. It hurts you on the scoreboard but we were playing a lot of good football and breaking into their territory an awful lot.
“I was pleased that we were creating scoring chances, we were tipping over good scores and we missed another couple that could have been bigger scores. We were happy enough that we were playing really good football. Their lead probably didn't reflect any of their dominance. It was probably not as dominant as the scores suggest.
“I thought anything under a six or seven point deficit, we would be able to chase it.”
Harte has been happy with the way Offaly have tuned in for the Tailteann Cup. “What I am seeing now is a bunch of lads who are really keen to improve, to get themselves as many competitive matches as possible and to show what they are capable of. That is great but sometimes it happens that there can be a bit of apathy here and there and some people aren't particularly interested in playing in this competition but I can tell you, that is not true for these men. They want to play every chance they can get, to represent Offaly and that jersey and they put their heart and soul into it. That is brilliant.”
Kelly was asked about the way Offaly have turned their season around after their league relegation and horrific championship defeat by Laois.
“The league didn't go well and the performance against Laois in here wasn't good. We were very aware of that and we sort of said, the Tailteann Cup could go either way. We could try and get on the horse and go at it and in fairness, the lads have put their heads down. They have been working hard but they have been working hard all year. It is not like they haven't been. It has been very positive around the squad.
“Like everything, if you are working hard enough, hopefully things start to turn for you and we are getting good results at the moment.”
Harte agreed that there was a window of opportunity for Offaly. “It is good to get a chance to play in Croke Park but when you are in the last four of a competition, you are not going to be given anything. It is going to be given anything and a few boys are carrying bits of injuries and are sore today. We have to see how that turns out but the big thing was to be in that draw on Monday and to get to Croke Park. That is all we can do today, we have done that and then there is a whole new challenge in front of us and we have to stand up to that challenge, whoever it may be.”