By Cian O'Connell

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Offaly goalkeeper Alan Mulhall is adamant that Pat Flanagan has the Faithful County back on the road to respectability.

In 2015 Offaly claimed the Allianz Football League Division Four title and the midlanders' came close to securing a second success promotion.

“We were very disappointed because we set our targets on promotion,” Mulhall admits.

“A lot of people would have been saying 'where are ye going looking to get promoted?' but we knew we were good enough and well able to challenge.

“We didn't perform against Westmeath which was a blow and in the first half against Tipperary and just didn't get there. But it's our highest league finish in a number of years losing out on promotion by points difference.”

Despite failing to attain Division Two status Offaly have generated confidence and momentum again under Flanagan.  “Yeah you'd definitely like to think we're on an upward curve and chatting to a few players from other counties and they'd all say 'Offaly's physique is after changing and their style has changed', “ Mulhall said.

“It's great to be hearing that positive feedback. We know we're doing the right things, but other people are starting to sit up and take notice, that's a credit to Pat and his team. We're working really hard and we're focused on improving.”

Offaly face Longford in the Leinster Championship at O’Connor Park on Sunday and Mulhall believes the experience Flanagan gained with Westmeath and Sligo is helping his native county.

“When Pat came in he would have very straightforward and honest,” Mulhall commented.

“He wasn't looking across the border into any other teams to see what others were doing, he'd always say that the one thing he can offer us is experience.

“His own record stands for itself with the promotions in Westmeath and Sligo. Confidence is definitely growing and he's very good that way.”

Last summer Longford staged a late rally to defeat Offaly in Tullamore.  “We messed up, there's no point in saying anything else,” is Mulhall’s verdict.

“We were seven points up, took our eye off the ball and by the time we knew where we were it was too late to change it. We're working on that consistency and driving things through the whole way through a match.”