Another stern test as Kilkenny await Offaly hurlers this weekend

BUOYED by their very encouraging performance in drawing away to Wexford last time out, Offaly senior hurlers will face another major test of their credentials on Sunday next when they travel to Nowlan Park to take on Kilkenny (1.45pm throw in).

It will be another step up for Offaly but that is what you have to expect at this level and it will give them an indication of what progress they are making.

It is a measure of the strides that they are making and the standards they are setting, that after the draw away to Wexford, there was almost a sense of disappointment and frustration that they didn't get the win, rather than celebrating gaining a point.

And if they are to get back to the level to which they aspire, that is the attitude that they will have to take. While it was a great achievement to go to Wexford Park and take the game to the home side and deservely earn a share of the spoils, it was also an opportunity to put one over on the Slaneysiders and set down a marker. Seeing out games when they get into winning positions is something they will have to learn, but the most encouraging thing was they put themselves in that position and played with great passion and commitment.

The next step will be to build on that and there will be no greater test of their credentials than going to Kilkenny to take on The Cats. Kilkenny also drew with Wexford in their opening game at home and then travelled to Cork in round 2 and after building up a big lead in the first half, they had to withstand a fierce Cork comeback before eventually edging home by a single point.

Kilkenny are in the second year of the post-Brian Cody era and are still a formidable outfit. They have been in the last two All-Ireland finals and under Derek Lyng are continuing to evolve. The O'Loughlin Gaels players are filtering back into the set up after their run to the All-Ireland Club final, while the Ballyhale Shamrocks players are more refreshed after getting a Winter break for the first time in a number of years. While T.J. Reid isn't yet back, Adrian Mullen has made a very positive start to the league and Eoin Cody is another major threat.

Offaly were expected to be the whipping boys of this group but they competed strongly until very late in the opening game against Waterford and then upped it again against Wexford. They were much more positive in that game and really pushed up on the Slaneysiders and put a lot of pressure on them and that brought dividends.

The starting side against Wexford featured five players who started last year's All-Ireland under 20 final and they are continuing to gain great experience. More experienced players like captain Jason Sampson, Ben Conneely, Killian Kiely and David King will be of great benefit to them and they all featured strongly against Wexford as well.

It is probably asking a lot of Offaly to go to Kilkenny and pick up any more league points, but if they can produce another competitive performance it will be a step further in the right direction and help build confidence ahead of their major target this year, the Joe McDonagh Cup.