1 week Ago
Lee Pearson of Offaly at the launch of the Tailteann Cup at Croke Park. Photo: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile A head-on impact with the Dublin juggernaut ended in a crushing 20-point Leinster semi-final defeat for Offaly, but their captain, Lee Pearson, insists the experience wasn’t in vain. “In terms of their fitness, power, strength, speed, it really does tell.
It’s one thing when you’re in the stand looking at them, but when you’re on the grass and they’re running at you, or running by you, and you’re in the tackle – you know they’re tough in the tackle – that’s when you really see the difference in the levels.” The Edenderry player, who won an All-Ireland U-20 medal in 2021, still feels that bridging the gap to compete against the leading counties is feasible. “I think it is, if you look at the likes of Monaghan, Cavan, Roscommon, who put up good results in their provincial championships and the latter stages of All-Ireland championships, counties of similar size, probably similar resources.
“So it is possible. It can be done. Now, it will take time.
It’s not going to be a case where next year you are competing with Dublin. But, ultimately, it will be a goal of ours.” Offaly fell short in their promotion bid from Division 3 but had an uplifting win over Laois in the Leinster Championship in Portlaoise, earning them a crack at the All-Ireland champions.
“We probably gave an OK account of ourselves for the first 60-65 minutes,” Pearson .
