AFTER getting a monkey off their backs last time out, Tullamore are hoping to be a banana skin for Cuala this weekend.
And skipper Declan Hogan has urged his team-mates to relish the chance to test themselves against a side led by ‘all-time great’ Con O’Callaghan.
Tullamore are 11-2 outsiders to stun the Dublin champions, who are also favourites to go all the way to All-Ireland Club SFC glory in January.
Ahead of Saturday’s Leinster semi-final at Parnell Park, Hogan told SunSport: “You don’t want lads going up there with any fear.
“It’s a massive opportunity and these games are there to be embraced. We always say that there’s no need to go out and be nervous when you know how much preparation you’ve done.
“We’re going to have our hands full against a top-class side but this is exactly where you want to be.
“It’s a dream scenario for any player to be still playing for your club at this time of the year. We can’t wait for 7.15 on Saturday evening.”
Hogan collected his fourth Offaly SFC medal last month when Tullamore completed a successful defence of their title at the expense of Ferbane.
But a taste of victory beyond the county bounds had proven elusive until they got the better of Wicklow champions Tinahely ten days ago.
Ending a run of five straight defeats, it was Tullamore’s first win in the provincial competition since they overcame Newtowncashel of Longford after a replay in November 1977.
Hogan admitted: “It was great to get that monkey off our backs. It had been nearly 50 years since the club had a win in Leinster so it was nice to get that ticked off.
“There was a massive sense of relief for the team but probably more so for the people of Tullamore and the supporters.
“We’ve had a few close calls over the years and we were coming out on the wrong end, so it was great to finally get that win. Hopefully we can carry that momentum into the weekend now.
“You have to make the most of these opportunities when they come. There’s no telling what could happen next year or the after.
“You might not win another county title, let alone be in a Leinster semi-final. It’s going to be a massive occasion and it’s one to be enjoyed.”
A man-marking job on Cuala’s talisman Con O’Callaghan could be in store for Hogan in Donnycarney.
Still, it was King Con’s younger brother Niall who lit up their quarter-final win over Naas by hitting 1-5 from play.
LEGEND
Another member of the O’Callaghan clan, Eoghan, also played a starring role in defence alongside nine-time All-Ireland winner Mick Fitzsimons when the Dalkey outfit claimed their first Dublin SFC title by toppling Kilmacud Crokes.
Hogan insisted: “These are the games you want to be involved in and you want to put yourself up against the very best players in the game. Con O’Callaghan is up there as one of the all-time greats.
“He’ll go down as a hall-of-fame GAA player – it’s as simple as that.
“He’s a massive threat that we’ll have to deal with but he has a couple of brothers as well who are top players, so we’ll have our work cut out for us. Nothing less than our very best will do.”
Hogan, who made his Offaly senior debut in 2015, will be back for another inter-county campaign in the new year as the Faithful look to make inroads under the joint-management of Declan Kelly and All-Ireland-winning former Tyrone gaffer Mickey Harte.
But he added: “I’m looking forward to getting going with Offaly in 2025. Having said that, I very much have my Tullamore hat on for the last couple of weeks.
“Hopefully it’ll stay on for another little while yet.”
