Offaly footballers aim to maintain winning streak against Fermanagh
Trip to Enniskillen will provide a tough test for Offaly
OFFALY footballers will bid to maintain their perfect start to their Allianz National Football League Division 3 campaign when they travel to Brewster Park in Enniskillen on Sunday to take on Fermanagh.
Sitting alongside Kildare with six points from six on the top of the Division 3 table, Offaly couldn't have wished for more at this stage of the campaign and as they reach the midway point of the campaign on Sunday, they will be well aware that the real prospect of a battle for promotion could be very much on the horizon.
But for the moment, they can't let that talk infiltrate their thoughts. There is a lot of football to be played before the promotion places will be decided and Offaly can't take their eyes off the task that will face them on Sunday.
Fermanagh have proved difficult opponents for Offaly in the past, particularly at home, where they enjoy a solid record, so the Faithful will be in for a tough 70 minutes in Enniskillen.
However, the signs have been good to date with three wins from three, following victories over Sligo, Laois and Antrim but it is the scorelines they have been running up that has encouraged many supporters with tallies of 1-17, 2-19 and 4-19 respectively in those victories.
Fermanagh's results have been mixed to date. They lost heavily away to Kildare in their opening game but then defeated Antrim at home by a single point in their second game. Last Sunday they put up a good challenge against Clare in Ennis, losing by just two points, but they were unlucky not to equalise in the closing stages when an effort for a two pointer hit the post, bounced down into the crossbar and away to safety. On such tiny margins are games won and lost.
However that shows that Fermanagh are coming into form must be treated with respect, and, as mentioned, particularly at Brewster Park.
Offaly are building up a head of steam and confidence is growing all the time. They are playing some very good football and if they can record another victory on Sunday, the talk of a promotion push will definitely begin to increase.