Hanamy: Losing by less than 10 points will be a great bonus

Former Offaly All-Ireland winning captain Martin Hanamy believes it would be a "great bonus" if the county’s hurlers stay within 10 points of Tipperary in Saturday’s qualifier.

Hanamy, who captained Offaly to All-Ireland glory in 1994, said the outcome of this weekend’s contest is a “no-brainer”.

Brian Whelahan’s charges were on the receiving end of a 26-point hammering to Kilkenny last month, their championship involvement sustained by the narrowest of wins over Antrim subsequently — a 71st minute Brian Carroll goal robbing victory for Offaly at the death.