1-29 to 0-15 win over Kildare in St Conleth’s Park<\/a> on Sunday, claiming the third Leinster qualification spot and progressing to the knockout rounds.<\/p>\nIt’s the first time since 2003 that Offaly have gone so deep in the All-Ireland series and the loser of the Munster final will be waiting for them – either Cork or Limerick.<\/p>\n
It’s a far cry from where the county were just six years ago when back-to-back relegations had them in the Christy Ring Cup.<\/p>\n
Conneely has put in the hard yards for over a decade and was there through the downturn, but now he’s dreaming on an extended summer and preparing for a showpiece game against Munster opposition.<\/p>\n
“We haven’t had days like this in a long time,” Conneely told RT\u00c9 Sport. “It’s just a brilliant day for everyone put a lot of effort in this year and it’s great to reap the rewards.<\/p>\n
“This is my 10th year this year and since the boys have come up from the Under-20s, there’s something brewing here.<\/p>\n
“It’s just been a matter of actually getting the performances coming to the games and we have that now and it’s great to kind of finally reap the rewards of it.<\/p>\n
“Inter-county hurling is the highest level you can play no matter how successful your club is; the standard of inter-county hurling is the next level again. For me to be able to put on the Offaly jersey, I was always proud no matter what level we were at.<\/p>\n
“Every year I’ve just always wanted to put on that jersey and ever since having my kids I’ve got a bit more motivation there to go out and kind of represent them, my wife and the family.<\/p>\n
“We’ve four more weeks now and I think that’s when the next game. Look we’ll probably have a bit of a break now for a while and then get the bodies right and then look forward to playing.”<\/p>\n
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