Conor Doughan is refusing to underestimate Offaly's opponents in the upcoming Leinster SHC round-robin series.

The once mighty Faithful will make their debut in the series against Allianz League Division 2 champions Westmeath at TEG Cusack Park on Sunday, with further games to come against Kerry and Carlow.

The team captain will miss Sunday's game due to a broken collarbone, but knows Offaly can't take anything for granted.

"It's our first time in it and everybody will want to get a cut at us," he said at the launch of the series in the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise this week.

"We can't take anything for granted, we have to be up for every match. We have Westmeath, they topped their group, I know they lost against, Laois but they're on top form, they're going to be a hard team to beat in their home venue."

"They're very strong, very dogged, good individual hurlers as well. I played against them all the way up along, minor, U21, and I know what some of them are like. They're a dogged team."

Doughan hopes to be back in action soon after his injury in the closing stages of the heavy Allianz League quarter-final loss to Kilkenny.

"Pain-wise, I knew straight away, but I didn't think it was broken, I thought it was dislocated," he recalled.

"I sat up, tried to get it up myself, but no movement whatsoever. Next thing I tried to pull it up with the other arm, still no movement. Into the dressing room then, and on to hospital."

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