The arguments are as familiar to us now as Croke Park, Michael Lyster and an umpire’s white coat, but the ongoing domination of Dublin’s footballers at all levels in Leinster is such that those fires will continue to be stoked as the fine weather sets in. 

Longford manager Jack Sheedy is unlikely to opt for an ultra defensive formation when his charges attempt a giant-killing act against Leinster champions Dublin in Croke Park tomorrow.

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.

Longford 0-16 Offaly 0-13: In a streaky game where both sides thrived on confidence, ultimately Offaly’s lack of self-belief cost them when they saw the finishing line.

It’s Thursday afternoon and Jack Sheedy is under pressure. He is tending to his two-year old. A little over 48 hours out from what many believe will be his Longford team’s last competitive game of 2014, he is working to a tight schedule.