Cork manager Denis Walsh believes his side will get nothing easy against Offaly in their All-Ireland hurling qualifier clash on July 4. The former dual star reckons a trip to Tullamore to face the NHL Division 2 champions was the toughest draw the Rebels could have got, and with Antrim and Laois meeting in the other phase one tie, it's hard to disagree. "It's the toughest draw that we could have got and it's certainly not the handy one that people might have been hoping for," he said. "However, a draw like this will sharpen our minds immediately and there will be no complacency whatsoever. "My understanding of Offaly hurling, and I'd know it fairly well, is that they are superb stick players, very wristy and intelligent, and in Joe Dooley, they have a manager who knows an awful lot about the game and who was a great player in their great days. "They are able to mix it up well and this team has a strong, physical presence as well. We'll have to be very focused for this game and if we are not we'll be out." Offaly's footballers will also be in All-Ireland qualifier action against Wexford in Wexford Park at the same time (7pm), and the county board may yet apply for the football game to be brought forward to 2pm or put back to the Sunday to give supporters a chance to attend both games. Tweet

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