Offaly manager Gerry Cooney feels his side need a winning start to the league, if promotion is a reality.

The Faithful County take on close neighbours Offaly in the opening round of the Allianz NFL Division 3 on Sunday afternoon.

It is a tough opener for Offaly as Longford have made Pearse Park something of a fortress under Glenn Ryan's managerial rein.

And Cooney admits that his charges are not prepared as other teams going into the campaign, but he is still confident that a winning result can be obtained.

"It is a big game, there is no doubt about that," Cooney told the Midland Tribune. "If we want to get promoted, we have to start well.

"We are not as prepared as we would like to be, but at the same time, we would be considerably stronger than we were in the O'Byrne Cup." Tweet

Most Read Stories