Offaly's Johnny Moloney grateful for Shane Lowry contribution as they chase redemption

While Shane Lowry was preparing for a major this week, the Offaly footballers were getting ready for what some might consider a minor – but that doesn't mean their paths aren’t intertwined.

Last April it was announced that Lowry would become a partner of the Faithful county board, and while the Tailteann Cup was not where they wanted to be 13 months on, the golfer is sure to be checking in on updates of their preliminary clash with Wexford whilst at the PGA Championship – unless he is preoccupied, of course.

Johnny Moloney, the Offaly captain, is delighted that Lowry’s support is being sought, even if he hasn’t had first-hand experience of it just yet.

"He hasn’t done that with senior team, [he] might have done it with underage teams, I am not sure," was his reply when asked had Lowry been into the changing room to provide help with the side’s mental preparation.

"Just his support alone has thrown a lot of momentum our way and I am sure going forward, what you are talking about will happen, a small bit of mentoring to the younger squads.

"But look, he has a very busy schedule. Whatever small part he can play is greatly appreciated in Offaly. I am sure that the lads aren’t expecting a whole pile from him in that sense. At the end of the day, he is a professional sportsman with a serious career to look after.

"That’s number one for him and whatever Shane gives us will be greatly appreciated."

The mental state of Offaly for this tournament will be telling. A narrow loss to Cork in the final round of the Allianz League saw them relegated to Division 3, and opened the door to this new tournament.

It’s not where they wanted to be, but manager John Maughan told RTÉ Sport that he expected his players to embrace it, and his captain has