Rivals Offaly and Westmeath pull no punches in midlands derby

Derbies are the order of the day across the country this weekend, and those who choose to make the trip to Wexford, Cavan or Galway will also get to observe at least one All-Ireland title contender in action.

No such carrot exists for the tie at the newly christened Bórd na Móna O’Connor Park at Tullamore, where Offaly host Westmeath with the dubious prize of a Leinster semi-final against Dublin on offer.

Yet to those who live anywhere close to the 40-mile border between these two midland rivals, territory incorporating the bulk of the footballing heartlands in both counties, the fact that the reward is the near-certainty of a harrowing defeat at Croke Park is irrelevant.