Clare manager Mick O'Dwyer sees Sunday's crunch Allianz Football League clash with Offaly in Tullamore as part of the learning process for his team.

Neither side can afford to lose if they are to remain in the hunt for promotion from Division 4.

"We are learning about players, which is most important and there is no better way to learn than from competitive games," he told the Clare Champion.

"Offaly are a particularly good team to learn from. They have a great tradition and are never easily beaten."

The Waterville maestro was encouraged by the Banner's win away to Leitrim in the last round.

"We had a great win in Carrick-on-Shannon against Leitrim who had a great run in the FBD League, which ended with them taking the title.

"Our lads should take great confidence from that win and hopefully we can build on that. The league will be over and done within eight weeks and over the coming weeks, we will have plenty of good, competitive games. This should be another tight contest."