Retired Westmeath hurler takes issue with Offaly newspaper column ahead of crunch Leinster clash

Offaly haven’t won an All-Ireland since 1998 After winning two Liam McCarthy trophies that decade and two the decade prior, the county no doubt has a strong hurling tradition. If you fast-forward to present day you will see that they are struggling, barely staying up in Division 1B, needing a final day win over Kerry to retain their status. The fall from grace obviously hurts loyal hurling supporters in the county and in a comment piece in the Offaly Express, the unnamed writer didn’t hold back about how he believes there should be a sizeable gap between Offaly and their upcoming opponents Westmeath. What is heavily mentioned is that Offaly were schooled by Westmeath last summer, losing by 14 points in the round-robin stage of the Leinster Championship. One former Westmeath hurler, John Shaw, wasn't happy with the column. https://twitter.com/johnshaw2014/status/866761945629765633 You would have to wonder if the article of a regional newspaper will genuinely be discussed amongst Westmeath players, will they be pinning it on the wall of the dressing room? If the article is what Westmeath need for extra motivation to replicate the result of last year, so be it.  It is easy to see why they could be inspired by the piece, the writer says, “The embarrassment of it still sits as a sickness in the pit of my stomach,” but it didn’t stop there. Here are just a few of the passionate lines the Offaly writer comes out with,

“There's no such hurling bloodline in Westmeath, and any thread they think their sewing now should be severed by our lads next Saturday evening.” “In all honesty, no matter what excuses we get about resources or county board culture in Offaly, counties like these shouldn't be in our universe in hurling circles.” “It was embarrassing last year to lose to Westmeath, and if they repeat the trick on us this term, we may as well give up the sport - and that's the crux of it.” “It's unpopular to say it out loud, but every Offaly supporter knows they will be embarrassed if we lose on Saturday. It would be a disgrace in fact.”

It could be forgiven that somebody who watched their county compete for glory on a regular basis is upset by the fact that they realistically could be knocked out of the Leinster Championship by Westmeath, not exactly known for its hurling successes. However recent results would suggest Offaly hurling is closer in standard to their opponents this weekend than that of Kilkenny, Galway, Dublin and Wexford.