Offaly stumble past weakened Louth in opening round

THE search for Sam Maguire got underway yesterday in Navan, with Offaly recording their first Leinster Championship win in three seasons against an injury-plagued Louth side at Páirc Tailteann.

As a championship opener it didn't exactly make you over-excited at the thought of the hundred or so games in football and hurling to follow in the months ahead. Louth, mindful of their limitations, came to stifle the game and while Offaly racked up a respectable enough total of 1-15, it was painful at times to watch them go about their business.

They posted 17 wides, 12 of them in a first-half wind that they never truly came to terms with. Manager Kevin Kilmurray waved away their failings afterwards however he claimed the win was everything for Offaly after the trials and tribulations of seasons past.