Offaly go into Sunday's Very Ireland Division 2A Final looking to end a 23-year wait for a National League title. 

Their only previous League success was when they beat Laois in the Division 2 Final in 2002 and no doubt they will be looking to emulate that on Sunday when they take on Derry in Semple Stadium.

They have every reason to go into the game full of confidence given the campaign they have had to date where they have a 100% record including victory over their opponents in Sunday's final when they beat Derry by 8 points in the second round in Owenbeg.

Reflecting on that game and the campaign to date however, Offaly manager David Sullivan insists that while winning five out of five is a great achievement it will count for little when they take to the pitch on Sunday as "it's all about winning".  It is difficult to argue with that given how Offaly have been starved of silverware over the years.

But Offaly will know not to underestimate their opponents in the final.  While they did take care of them in the earlier rounds, the Derry team will have improved as the campaign progressed.  While Offaly had their place in the final sealed before their last game against Armagh, Derry played Kerry in their last outing where the winner would book their place in the final.  In that game Kerry led 1-9 to 1-2 at half time, but the Oak Leaf girls showed great spirit in the second half to chip away at the Kerry lead and a goal with five minutes to go was the crucial score that saw them claim the win.  

Talking about Sunday's opponents the Offaly manager acknowledged that that Derry are a "savage outfit" going on to say that his team will have to match their physicality and then let their playing do the talking.

Sullivan also went on to appeal to the Offaly supporters to travel to Thurles and help their county over the line.  He highlighted that there would be times when his girls would be under pressure and the roar from the Offaly supporters would help the team.

The match throws in at 12.15 pm and supporters not able to travel to Thurles will be able to watch the game on RTE 2.

Tweet

Most Read Stories