A case of who will decline and fall faster

Two years ago these counties were separated only after a replay. In the meantime it's impossible to avoid the conclusion that Kildare are more in decline than Offaly albeit that their starting point was higher. Even taking into account the alternating seasons of boom and bust that have seen Mick O'Dwyer's team win Leinster one year and flat-line the next, the signs are ominous.

For a start the team isn't what it was when last winning Leinster two years ago. There have been departures in significant personnel with Willie McCreery and John Finn retiring and a trail of misfortune that has meant the absence of other key players, most of whom are only gradually returning.

In attack there is little evidence of development with Karl O'Dwyer still holding things together and only Stuart McKenzie-Smith holding out the prospect of new input. Derek McCormack went well earlier in the year but is replaced by his namesake Eddie tomorrow. Eddie McCormack has been erratic over the years but did play well in this fixture two years ago. Still there's insufficient sign of pressure being exerted on the established players.

Dermot Earley's recall is good news as Kildare faded at centrefield against Louth (one of the reasons for Earley's introduction from the bench three weeks ago). Offaly were substantially driven from there by Ciarán McManus and Kildare will need to plug the gaps more efficiently.

Then there is the problem that Offaly are so hard to shake off. They might have struggled to get past Laois but that was a match they had a good chance of losing and they closed the deal in injury-time with an inspirational score from Pascal Kelleghan. No team is going to beat them comfortably.

Manager Padraig Nolan has produced his own innovations by moving Finbar Cullen up front and also bringing All-Ireland hurler Paudie Mulhare into the attack. It mightn't be a high-scoring unit but neither is Kildare's.

To be fair to both teams, neither would have expected to shine in the first round. Tangles between Offaly and Laois are generally dogged affairs and the recent match was no different with an awkward pitch surface exacerbating mattters.

This isn't going to be decided by very much but looking at the strengths and weaknesses of the teams as displayed last month, it looks more positive for Offaly.

There has to be a question mark over how effectively Kildare's centrefield - even with Earley back - will cope with the strength and aggression of Sean Grennan and McManus. Similarly the wing forwards were under a great deal of pressure against Louth and the addition of Eddie McCormack isn't going to strengthen Kildare defensively, as he tries to come to terms with the pace of Karl Slattery going forward.

Vinny Claffey is back after suspension and James Grennan is available again after injury. Both sit on the bench and are useful options. Defensively Offaly look solid and a decent enough Laois attack managed only 1-2 from play against them.

Whatever the result it's not going to make anyone rich but Offaly have the capacity to be in front when the whistle goes.