Offaly's young guns need time to learn at top level - Brendan Maher

Offaly selector Brendan Maher says the county will be going all out to stay in the Leinster championship next season as they seek to give a talented crop of youngsters as much exposure to top-level hurling as possible.

The Faithful County won their first Under 20 All-Ireland hurling title in June, with a team featuring many of the players that had also reached the 2023 U-20 and 2022 minor finals.

A week later, Donal Shirley, Cathal King, Dan Bourke, Adam Screeney and Colin Spain were back to secure the Joe McDonagh Cup, and promotion, with the senior side.

"We have a huge task ahead of us next year, being back up in Liam MacCarthy," Maher told RTÉ Sport.

"There is a great feeling around the county but you have to come back down to earth quickly when you’re facing a new season.

"There’s still a good strong U-20 team that will be there trying to defend their title, but the priority will be to try and remain in Liam MacCarthy hurling and be as competitive as possible.

"We're looking forward to getting back at it and hoping that we can bring forward some of the young talent and develop them into senior hurlers for Offaly.

"From a long-term perspective, you want those good young players coming on to be playing Liam MacCarthy hurling.

"It’s an exciting time but it’s a daunting challenge as well."

Three-time All-Ireland winner Maher, who captained his native Tipperary to glory in 2016, has been part of Galway man Johnny Kelly's management team for the past two years, expanding on his role as performance coach to become a coach/selector - alongside his brother Martin - for the upcoming season.

He has also helped to get former Tipp team-mate Seamus Callanan, a four-time All-Star, on board as forwards coach.

"We have a defence-heavy