It’s bitterly disappointing, says deflated Pat Flanagan

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.

Flanagan had returned to his native county after stints in Westmeath and Sligo, with the sole target of helping Offaly win championship games again. He’ll hardly have gone through a more heartbreaking loss.

We were left waiting for the Offaly boss as he conduced an investigation with his players, where he asked them what they want from this year’s qualifiers.