McManus: winning all that mattered to Offaly

CIARAN McMANUS has launched a staunch defence of Offaly following heavy criticism aimed at them and opponents Westmeath after Sunday’s Leinster SFC meeting in Croke Park.

Though Kevin Kilmurray’s side defeated their midlands rivals by four points, the standard on display was lamentably poor.

But McManus believes that Offaly will benefit from the game and has few worries about the spectacle.

“The victory will do us good,” said the Tubber midfielder. “I didn’t care if we won by one point or 20 points as long as we won. I’d say Kildare were very happy sitting there in the stand watching what they saw.

“It was a typical derby game, a lot of sloppy passing. Then again, nerves and tension play their parts. It was very important for us to get over that first round after the last couple of years. That’s the bogey laid and maybe we can play with a bit more freedom and relax now.”

Offaly have struggled to make much of an impression in Leinster since their last provincial title won under Tommy Lyons in 1997 and were relegated last month.

Sunday wasn’t the first time they have disappointed in front of a wide audience.

Their Division 1A clash with Dublin at Parnell Park in March was screened live by TG4 when Offaly gave an absolutely atrocious display. Only three late McManus goals saved them from total humiliation on a night where they hit their first score after 52 minutes.

Said McManus: “That was by far our worst performance in ten years. That kicked a bit of life and maturity into this team.

“Since then, we’ve got some pretty good results and we should have beaten Kerry. Things have been improving steadily so hopefully we can keep on doing that for the rest of the summer.

“Dessie (Dolan) was a big loss to them but we’ve had our own fair share of injuries in the build-up to this game. First division, second division, that goes out the window when it’s a local derby and I think it was fairly even out there.”

Offaly have certainly improved from the side that shot over 40 wides in two Leinster Championship fixtures last summer, but still need to readjust their sights somewhat ahead of the quarter-final against Kildare.

They racked up 12 wides on Sunday but the lack of a killer instinct was most evident in the two glorious goal opportunities spurned before half-time by Niall McNamee and Thomas Deehan.

“I would rate Gary Connaughton as one of the best goalkeepers in the country,” McManus responded. “He’s a huge keeper, a great shot stopper. He’s 6’6” and that’s very hard to get around when you’re bearing down on goals. Gary stood up and made himself very big. He spread himself well and he did make it hard for our lads to shoot.”