By Cian O'Connell

Turning potential into real progress is a task Offaly want to complete in the near future.

Anton Sullivan is fully aware of Offaly's promise and the Rhode clubman wants the Faithful to start becoming a serious force in Leinster once more.

For a youthful panel retaining Allianz Football League Division Three status was a pre-Championship boost for Stephen Wallace's charges.

"We have a relatively young team, we lost a lot of the older lads from last year's panel," Sullivan states. "Stephen's opted for youth and it's vitally important that we maintained Division Three status, especially for next year. The experience of staying in the Division will help us next year. Hopefully, we can push for getting out of it next year."

Underage and Post Primary outfits from Offaly have made good strides during the past decade and it is something which Sullivan has noticed.

"Definitely," Sullivan says. "The last few years we've done well at minor and Under 21. Especially, Gallen Community School and St. Mary's Edenderry have represented the county well in the schools. "Yeah, there's loads of talent coming through, it just needs to be nurtured well with the right coaches and set-up in place. I definitely think we're going in the right direction.

"Stephen's come in. He's brought such a fresh approach. He plays attacking football, which we love to play. The lads are energetic, they're young, they're full of enthusiasm and just want to get on with the work.

"Billy Sheehan is involved as well and he's doing great coaching work. If we can just keep listening to the boys going forward, we will come in the next few years."

Rhode colleague Niall MacNamee is no longer involved with Offaly which is a blow according to Sullivan. "Yeah, Niall stepped away this year," Sullivan states. "It was unfortunate to lose him, but there was always going to come that stage where we would lose him.

"It's helped our club. It's been great since he came back to the club, driving things on there. I suppose from a county perspective, it was tough to lose him.

"There's lots of good young lads coming through. Cian Johnson is the next big thing coming through. Hopefully, he can be the man to step into Niall's shoes for years to come."

Offaly know that a win over Wicklow at O'Moore Park on Sunday would mean a glamour home match against Dublin. That is a real incentive according to Sullivan.

"Of course, absolutely, especially for young lads to possibly get Dublin down into Tullamore to give them a rattle, to see where it takes us," Sullivan adds.

"Our whole set-up is a project, we are looking to the future with all of these young lads, maybe pushing hard in a few years time. We are looking forward to Wicklow, giving it a crack, to see where it takes us after that.

"Everyone loves the Leinster Championship, I'm looking forward to Sunday. There will be a great buzz, if you get over Wicklow you have Dublin possibly in Tullamore.

"For our team going forward that would be a great experience for the young lads. It is another days story, I'm just looking forward to Sunday, to representing Offaly."

In the winter of 2016 Sullivan kept himself busy training with St Brigid's and Roscommon footballer Ian Kilbride while on duty with the Defence Forces in the Lebanon.

Both players missed provincial club finals so being back involved with Offaly brought satisfaction. Sullivan feels that something is beginning to stir again, especially after avoiding relegation.

"I think on the last day when we finished up against Westmeath there was 10 Under 21 players, that is a huge positive," Sullivan comments.

"For lads to step up from Under 21 last year to senior this year is great to see. They will only get better and better from playing these big games.

"Westmeath have been in Leinster Finals - they will have learned from that and it was a great positive sign to blood loads of young lads in the League, to give them opportunities."

The next challenge for Offaly is Wicklow - a victory in Portlaoise would secure a date with Dublin.