John Maughan believes that Offaly are now ready to make the step-up to Division Two after moving within one game of promotion.
Wins over Wicklow, Limerick and Tipperary saw Offaly top Division Three South and they will play Fermanagh, who Maughan managed for a single season in 2001, for a place in Division Two next year on Saturday week.
Offaly, who will enjoy home advantage having won the coin toss, haven’t been in the top 16 of the League since being relegated from Division 1A in 2006 and, given the various format changes over the years, haven’t featured in an eight-team Division Two since way back in 1985.
It’s also the first time that they’ve recorded three consecutive wins outside of Division Four in League or Championship since their run to the 2006 Leinster final and yet, Offaly made heavy weather of their victories over Wicklow and Limerick before producing what Maughan described as “arguably the best football we’ve played since I got involved here” at times against Munster champions Tipp.
He added: “We probably benefited from the fact that we didn’t win (the first two games comfortably) and in hindsight we should have won both by 10 and I’m not being disrespectful, I hope I’m not, to Limerick or Wicklow.
“But it was probably no harm that we didn’t because we knew there was so much more there and when Offaly play the kind of fluent football that they’re capable of in conditions like (Saturday), they’re certainly good enough to be competing in the higher division, no question about that.”
Maughan paid tribute to his Rhode contingent, who endured a traumatic week with the passing of their teammate Dean Morris. Offaly were captained on Saturday by Niall Darby, who was joined by his Rhode clubmates Eoin Rigney and Ruairi McNamee, who had a fine game.
McNamee’s cousin, Niall, on the same week that he made his senior debut for Offaly 18 years ago at the age of 17, came off the bench to kick three points late on and seal the win.
“It’s been a difficult week for Offaly with a sad tragedy and it’s commendable that the boys went out there and delivered a performance like they did with the memory of a teammate from Rhode who passed away tragically,” said Maughan.
“So there was a lot of emotion around the camp this week and sadness, but to come and win a game like that just lifts the mood of everybody.”
Maughan was without Tullamore duo Declan Hogan and Johnny Moloney through injury but lauded the strength of his squad, which was particularly threadbare in his first season in charge in 2019.
“They’re a big loss but, at the same time, we won that game without them and it just goes to show the bit of depth and strength coming into our squad because two years ago we wouldn’t have been able to survive but Karl Stewart came in there, did a fantastic job.
“Cathal Mangan looked a bit rusty at times but, still, he did a job for us but our bench again, every single one of them contributed, Bill Carroll, Niall McNamee, Joe Maher coming in, they’re quality players.
“The likes of Niall McNamee would put the frighteners on any corner-back or full-back when he comes in to stand beside you.”
Following last week’s Government announcement, 200 people will be allowed to attend the Fermanagh-Offaly game but, in a 17,000 capacity ground like O’Connor Park, Maughan believes that more should be accommodated.
“There’s no reason in the world why we couldn’t have a thousand or 2,000 people, let’s be honest. It’s unfortunate. That’s the big thing we’re missing, that we don’t have supporters,” he added.
