Johnny Kelly remains hopeful that Offaly can qualify for the All-Ireland SHC series after his side recorded a long overdue victory over Wexford to retain their Leinster SHC status.

The improving Faithful capitalised on Conor Foley’s second half dismissal to run out 2-21 to 2-15 winners at Glenisk O’Connor Park on Saturday evening and will finish in Leinster’s top three if they beat an already-relegated Kildare next weekend and Dublin defeat Kilkenny.

"Delighted to win, first and foremost," the Offaly boss told RTÉ.

"We had two draws coming into this game today and we hadn't got a win in the Leinster Championship in quite a while. There's great relief but obviously we're delighted to get the win and it gives us a chance now, depending on results, to progress in Leinster."

He added: "We have to go to Kildare now and we have to try and win that game.

"That's the nature of the competition. We'll be doing our best to go forward and put in a great performance against a really good Kildare team, who are really well coached.

"Let's see how the results fall that night and if they go our way, we might get into the last three; if not so be it."

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