TOMMY LYONS has warned his Offaly charges that they are in for a really tough test at Croke Park on Sunday when they take on Wicklow in the Leinster football championship.
"People seem to think that we are favourites for this match but that doesn't make a lot of sense." said Lyons.
He pointed out that Wicklow have many players of great ability and a lot of experience, like Hugh Kenny, Phillip McGillacuddy, the Byrne brothers, Keith and Stephen, Brian O'Donovan, Conan Daye and Kevin O'Brien.
"These players between them have an enormous amount to contribute to a match like this. The surprising thing is that Wicklow haven't made a serious breakthrough with players like that at their disposal," he said.
Lyons also said that nine or 10 of his Offaly side will be having their first experience of Croke Park. "I just hope that they will have settled down to concentrate on the match before they realise that they are playing in front of 50,000.
"We are delighted to be in Croke Park on such a big day. We are, without doubt, the minor match after Meath and Dublin but Croke Park is always a great experience and I know that the lads are looking forward to it. That can work both ways. Different players react differently to challenges like that so we have to wait and see.
"I have warned them that this is a very tough match. I always say that you should beware of sleeping dogs. Nobody seems to have paid any attention to Wicklow but I know that they have been training very hard and will be very well prepared. They were unlucky not to get promotion and we are just out of Division Four.
"Some people say that National League form isn't relevant in the championship but that is wrong. In the fourth division you get only about three really serious matches whereas in the higher divisions practically every match is a struggle. It is a far better way to prepare for the championship.
"I suppose that people will think that because we have had three championship matches to date (Longford and Westmeath twice) we have an advantage. I'm not too sure about that. We beat Longford easily and then played badly against Westmeath in the drawn match, so it doesn't always work out.
Wicklow have selected four newcomers to championship football for the match. They are Liam Cullen in goal, Brendan O Hannaigh at left corner back, Brian Whelan at left halfback and centre forward Stephen Byrne.
Wicklow have not played a competitive match since they beat Westmeath in the league at the beginning of March.
. Wicklow are the champions of Division Three of the National Hurling League alter Armagh conceded a walk-over in their final game, which was fixed for Aughrim on Saturday. This means that Wicklow have maximum points from their eight league games.
