Offaly to put best foot forward but under no illusions about likely fate against Dubs

AN Offaly win over Dublin in the Leinster Senior Football Championship semi-final in Croke Park would be one of the greatest shocks of all time.

With Dublin having won every provincial title since 2011, there is no evidence whatsoever that Offaly can break this stranglehold.

Shocks do happen, even ones of a huge magnitude and Dublin's run has to end at some stage but Offaly are very definitely travelling to Croke Park in way more hope than confidence.

While manager Declan Kelly will be dressing things up very differently within the camp, painting as positive a picture as it is possible without being accused of telling fairytales, there is not one person in the world who truly believe that Offaly can win this one.

It is a somewhat invidious position for Offaly to be in but even if the outcome is an unpalatable one, they will be relishing the chance to take on the All-Ireland champions and see where they are.

There have been some people suggesting that Offaly would have been better off losing to Laois than receive a mauling from Dublin but those suggestions should be dismissed. There would have been nothing good about losing to that Laois team. They were surprisingly poor and a defeat at their hands would have been soul destroying for everyone concerned.

The reality was that Offaly played very well on the day. They played sensible but attacking football, giving players a bit of freedom to take chances and they were full value for their 2-13 to 1-8 win.

It was Offaly's first win over Laois in the Leinster Senior Football Championship

in Portlaoise since 1978. Meetings between the sides there have been comparitively sparse so that statistic is not as alarming as it first seems but winning there still represented a Rubicon that Offaly had to cross.

They did it with a very professional, efficient display. It was very pleasing to watch and they had several players that performed close to their best on the day.

Sunday's game in Croke Park is an entirely different matter of course. Dublin are the All-Ireland favourites and the team that everyone else has to beat. They are a phenomenal force of nature and they are in an entirely different class to Offaly.

No doubt, Offaly players will be allowing themselves dreams of a famous result this week. Part of the charm of sport is that these shocks do crop up every so often, the underdogs perform above themselves or the favourites have an off day. It has happened in every sport over the years and that possibility is there for Offaly.

It is an extremely long shot. Dublin's odds of 500-1 on may be a deterrent to stop people lumping on big money to win a small amount but there is no logical case to be made for suggesting that Offaly will win. Offaly's odds of 25-1 don't seem in any way generous compared to Dublin's and most punters will be staying well clear of the bookmakers for this one apart from the ones who like to have a go on the handicaps.

Dublin are -20 points at 10/11, Offaly +20 points at even money but that margin is prohibitive, no matter what side you fancy. 20 points is a lot and Dublin will do well to win by that but if they get a run on Offaly, really go for the jugular and try and run in goals, it is achievable for them.

All of those are very periphery things and Offaly will be putting their best foot forward, giving it their very best.

It is a pity that this game is in Croke Park and Leinster Council are really not being fair to counties by doing this. Whatever about playing Dublin against Meath or Kildare there, they really should be made travel down the country for any championship game under than a Leinster final.

This match would be a huge occasion in O'Connor Park and it would level the playing field a small bit. Not enough for a shock but it would be a very different game inm O'Connor Park or some other provincial town.

It is what it is, however, and Offaly will also embrace the opportunity of playing in Croke Park. Offaly players don't get that many chances to play there and it will be interesting to see what tactical approach the management apply.

Do they shut up shot and try and limit the damage or do they give it a lash and go out and play football? It's a hard one to call but you can be sure that Offaly won't be throwing caution completely to the wind. They are better off to go down with their boots on than their feet up in the air but there is a balance to be got and Declan Kelly and co will be trying to get this right.

You can expect the same team to start, more or less. Anton Sullivan has not recovered from his hamstring injury and probably won't make it while Nigel Dunne is available after being suspended for the Laois game. Dunne is unlikely to start, though there he will have to be considered – he is a very good finisher and could get scores early on during the settling in period.

Management face a big dilemma over whether to start Ferbane's Cathal Flynn. He was brilliant when he came in as a sub against Laois and the quality of a couple of his passes took the breath away. He had picked up an injury in the build up to that game while there was also real logic in having a game changer in reserve.

That logic does not apply for this one. There is no point in keeping a player in reserve as the game will more than likely be out of reach a few minutes into the second half. The best available team should be started here and it will be interesting to see what way Offaly line out on Sunday.

Offaly are in a no lose situation. If there is a heavy defeat, the usual suspects will no doubt have their say on various social media forums on Sunday evening and some are sharpening their swords with relish all week. That doesn't matter one iota and no rationale person will be judging the team or management by what happens in Croke Park.

Dublin are All-Ireland champions, Offaly did well to survive in Division 3 of the National Football League and there is a huge gap between them. That gap can't be bridged at the moment but it is always good to see exactly where you are.

Meath competed well against Dublin for a while before being blown away in the second half. Offaly will be hitting the ground running with a fierce intensity and hopefully they can live with the Dubs into the second half.

The game could be over early on and most Offaly people would gladly settle for a defeat in the 10-12 point arena. It remains to be seen whether that can be done but this game represents a great opportunity for Offaly, a learning experience if nothing else, and hopefully they will attack it without fear.