Pascal Kellaghan insists his Offaly minor football team wouldn't be burdened by expectation in this evening's Leinster semi-final against Dublin at O'Connor Park.

Supporters are pinning their hopes on this team after a very poor season for the county's seniors and for Offaly GAA in general. Their quarter-final demolition of neighbours Westmeath was hugely impressive and has given rise to expectation of a first provincial success in the U18 grade since 1989.

"There was a crowd of 2,500 people in Tullamore for the Westmeath game and you could see that there is a bit of interest in this team, but it doesn't place us under any added pressure," Kellaghan stressed in the Tullamore Tribune.

"I know this panel is massively committed and a lot of them are capable of playing at the highest level. A lot of them will play senior going forward. There is no more pressure on me or the players but we are very conscious of the fact that the county could do with a lift. Supporters are crying out for success.

"It is not more pressure but we as a group want to do well for Offaly, to lift spirits in the county. It is a motivational factor, to give something back to the supporters."

The Rhode man accepts that Dublin will pose a serious threat to the Faithful County's Leinster ambitions.

"These Dublin players have two-three years' serious work done. Westmeath were not a bad team. They had nine-10 of last year's squad who reached the final. We were very happy to put in a performance but we will need another 30 per cent to get over Dublin. It is a huge challenge for us. Our goal seven-eight months ago was to win Leinster and it hasn't changed," he continued.

"Our goal is to beat Dublin and win the Leinster title. It is a big challenge for the players and us as management. It is a challenge we have all embraced." Tweet

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