Little margin for error as Offaly aim to resume winning ways over Kildare

THERE were a lot of positives to be taken out of Sunday's National Football League Division 2 defeat by Louth but irrespective of that, the pats on the back will subside if Offaly lose a second successive game in Newbridge against Kildare on Saturday evening.

With established players, Paddy Dunican, John Furlong, Cathal Flynn and Dylan Hyland all out injured, Offaly performed better than many expected as Louth eventually got away for a 1-21 to 0-19 win.

The home side played some fantastic attacking football in the first half with the wind on their back, firing over four two pointers for a 0-14 to 0-11 interval lead. Louth outscored them by 1-10 to 0-5 in the second half with Sam Mulroy's 46^th minute goal the defining score in a game that Offaly could have won.

Looking back on it, two big factors contributed to Offaly's defeat. Eleven points was too much to concede when they played with the wind and the frequency in which Louth opened up their defence was acknowledged by joint managers Mickey Harte and Declan Kelly afterwards. Five points was not enough against the wind for Offaly and they struggled to break the line, to create decent chances in the second half.

It all meant that Offaly suffered a defeat in a game that they really needed to win as they bid to retain their Division 2 status.

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Another factor on Sunday was a reluctance to use subs, though debutant Sean Conway from Ballycommon and Darragh Flynn did come on in the 59^th and 64^th minutes. Offaly's bench was used infrequently in a very good 2025 season as they won promotion but this game needed fresh legs from the minute Mulroy's goal opened a decisive gap.

It is very doubtful if subs would have rescued Offaly on Sunday. The impression that Louth would still have won is a strong one but a few players were showing the strain while men such as Dan Molloy and Ciaran Murphy, both outstanding in the first half, looked to have gone into the red.

The spate of injuries has clearly limited Offaly and it is also impossible to escape the impression that Sunday's game would have been won if John Furlong and Cathal Flynn were playing.

All of that, however, is speculation, Offaly can only play the hand they have been dealt and focus on Kildare on Saturday. Paddy Dunican and Cathal Flynn are out for the league and while John Furlong and Dylan Hyland may get back, it is likely to be later in the campaign.

Kildare had a good draw in Tyrone on Saturday and will be warm favourites for this but Offaly could take them. They beat them twice last year in the league, losing out in the Tailteann Cup quarter-final and know that they are capable of beating them. The absence of players does change the outlook but Offaly could have a big performance in their locker.

The big positive for Offaly last Sunday was how competitive they were and the type of football they played for a long time. It wasn't enough on the day and management will be well aware of some of the reasons for this but it was still a very decent, acceptable display. They need to back that up with another one on Saturday and should deliver that but it remains to be seen if it will be good enough for victory.

Offaly have a chance but the spate of injuries really does damage them and it will be a surprise if Kildare don't collect the points.