Offaly safely negotiated a potentially tricky first round qualifier tie at Bord na Móna O’Connor Park in Tullamore this afternoon, where they had the brilliance of Bernard Allen to thank for the ten-point winning margin they enjoyed against London.

When the poet told us we cannot bear too much reality, he was hardly thinking of the Waterford hurlers, but you never know.

The Faithful prepare for a do-or-die clash with Antrim on Saturday, less than a fortnight after relieving manager Kieran Martin of his duties, replacing him with Joachim Kelly

Interim Offaly hurling manager Joachim Kelly has claimed the players threw in the towel in recent weeks, leading to their present difficulties.

Interim Offaly manager Joachim Kelly met with the county’s embattled hurlers for the first time yesterday evening.

Hurling pundit Dónal Óg Cusack has said Offaly have not been helped by some of the county's "influential voices" while also pondering what their tradition actually is.

Former Offaly star Johnny Dooley has described their Division 1B relegation play-off with Carlow on Sunday as one of the most important games “in the history of Offaly hurling”.

Offaly's Nigel Dunne has spoken out about his decision to leave the county football panel.

Offaly’s two top forwards Joe Bergin and Shane Dooley hit a combined 4-4 as the Faithful County claimed their first Allianz Hurling League 1B points of the campaign with a deserved victory over Carlow in a game which started in a downpour and ended in a snowstorm at Netwatch Cullen Park.

Many players couldn’t hear the whistle or receive instructions from their managers while playing.

John Maughan is returning to inter-county football management as he has landed the Offaly job.

Westmeath hurling manager Michael Ryan says the Leinster championship should not be expanded to six teams, insisting Offaly will benefit from time spent in the second-tier.

The Offaly County Board management committee last night voted to remove Stephen Wallace as manager of the senior footballers.

Offaly GAA chiefs have commenced a review of their senior football management following Sunday’s Leinster SFC defeat to Wicklow.

Jim Kelly is the groundsman and chief steward at O’Connor Park, Tullamore. He took time out from mowing the pitch on Thursday evening to chat about preparations for Offaly’s Leinster SHC opener against Galway. Interview by Stephen Barry.

Offaly goalkeeping coach Brendan Kealy is unsure if manager Stephen Wallace will be on the sideline for Sunday’s Leinster SFC preliminary round game against Wicklow in Portlaoise.

The prize for the winners of Sunday’s Offaly-Wicklow game is a date with Dublin, a take that John Evans likens to facing a ‘firing squad’.

One county's supporters club has come up with an ingenious way to support their rising stars.

Limerick hurling legend Joe Quaid has confirmed his interest in managing Offaly, though former boss Joe Dooley has emerged as a surprise contender to return to the role.

2010 All-Ireland-winning manager Liam Sheedy is to spearhead the search for the new Offaly senior hurling manager.

Brian Whelahan has stepped down as Offaly senior hurling manager after two seasons in charge, the board’s executive informed club delegates in Tullamore last night.

Waterford 1-7 Offaly 1-20: This we expected. Tom McGlinchey’s letter, read out at last Monday night’s County Board meeting, had us forewarned.

As the music boomed out of the victorious Longford dressing room Jack Sheedy beamed, while across the tunnel Pat Flanagan struggled to get the words out through the anguish of defeat.

Pat Flanagan had no intention of turning his back on Sligo after one year at the helm but when his native county came calling, the emotional tug proved impossible to ignore.

Offaly 2-15 Westmeath 1-13: Offaly held on for a five-point win following a spirited fight back by Westmeath in the second half of this Walsh Cup game at Cusack Park, Mullingar, yesterday.