11 Years today

[True Red]

Hard to believe that its 11 years since that game. Myself and a friend travelled up in hope rather than expectation but one thing was for certain and that was that Offaly would give a good account of themselves against the reigning All Ireland Champions.

If memory serves me correctly, Ciaran McManus was sent off in a club match for Tubber prior to this game, and rightly or wrongly the county board enforced whatever suspension was in effect at the time which meant he would miss the 1st round.

Anyways when we got to Croke park some lad offered us 2 free tickets to the premium level on the Cusack stand side. We took them gladly, and had a couple of pints before the game.

I can still remember those last 10 minutes when Offaly sealed the win and i roared them home (a bit louder than normal due to the pints).

Great times when that Offaly football team feared no one and could give it and take it with equal measure. It also put to rest the notion (for me anyways) that Offaly got a handy Leinster in 1997 when they steamrolled a "Tired" Meath team. I dont know about the rest of yis, but i have yet to meet a soft Meath man on a football pitch and Offaly were fully deserving of their victory in 1997 and indeed in 2000.

Sadly the saga ended against Kildare in the next round, after a replay. Ironically it was McManus 1st game in the championship that year and despite a two goal salvo from him, a devestating 20 mins from Kildare in the 2nd half put paid to Offaly hopes. Even still Offaly battled to the end in that game as well, a feature of that team.

Upon mature reflection, it was great chance for a Leinster as Kildare beat the Dub's in the Leinster final and they lost out to Galway in the All Ireland Semi final.