Offaly captain Niall McNamee is looking forward to welcoming Tyrone to Tullamore on the weekend after next.

The Faithful drew the short straw when they were paired with the Allianz League Division 1 finalists in this morning's All-Ireland SFC qualifier first round draw, but McNamee stressed to hoganstand.com that it's a challenge they will meet head on.

"It was the hardest draw we could have got - Tyrone was the draw everyone wanted to avoid," the highly-rated forward pointed out.

"But having spoken to some of the lads, they're very optimistic, especially as the game's in O'Connor Park. It's nice to get a home draw after having to go to Tipperary last year. Even though we lost to Kildare (in the Leinster SFC quarter-final), the supporters were happy enough with our display and I'd expect them to turn out in big numbers for this game."

The Red Hands were the reigning All-Ireland champions when McNamee last played against them in 2006, and he feels they are just as formidable now.

"I played against them in the league in 2005 and 2006," he explained.

"They were strong then and are still a top-six team. It will be a great experience for the young lads in our team and a great way to measure the progress we've made this year. It will be another good test of the team's development.

"There is no doubt that the Offaly supporters are starting to warm to this team. They see the work that's been put in, and hopefully we'll be able to cause an upset."

Since their three-point defeat to Kildare in Croke Park, Offaly have lost Brian Connor and John Moloney to summer emigration, but the captain insists they can be replaced.

"It's a blow to lose two of the team that started against Kildare, but there have been 60-65 players training between the senior and U21 panels this year and they're going to be trying even harder now that there are places up for grabs," he concluded. Tweet

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