Offaly hurlers face another testing day as Limerick come to Tullamore

OFFALY hurlers knew they were going to face tough tests in Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League and so it has proved.

Galway inflicted a fourth successive defeat on The Faithful hurlers at Grant Heating St Brendan's Park, Birr, on Sunday last and it doesn't get much easier next weekend when high flying Limerick visit Glenisk O'Connor Park for a round 5 clash on Sunday at 2pm.

Relegation is now almost a certainty for Offaly with an away tie to Cork their remaining fixture after next Sunday, but they will have learned a lot from their games against the top teams in the country.

Bar the defeat to Tipperary, Offaly have been competitive in their other games and have shown glimpses of what they are capable of.

Again last Sunday against Galway, they had their opportunities and posed problems for Galway, but failure to take goal chances has been a feature of their last two games.

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They will take solace in the fact that they are creating the opportunities but at this level they have to be taking those chances if they are to have a chance of upsetting the top teams.

Next Sunday will be another major test of their credentials. Limerick are coming into the game off the back of shooting 36 points and inflicting a 15 point defeat on All-Ireland champions Tipperary last Saturday.

If they display the type of form they showed last Saturday night, Offaly could be in for a very tough day in Tullamore.

Offaly will have to concentrate first on their own performance. Last Sunday they didn't take advantage of the strong wind at their backs in the first half and found themselves behind at half time. They were much better in the second half but were still always chasing the game and were undone for two goals at either end of the half.

After missing out on the All-Ireland in the last two years, Limerick looked to have got a bit of their hunger back and they have introduced some youngers players who are making an impact.

Offaly know what's ahead of them on Sunday and will be hoping that they can perform to their ability and see where it takes them.

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