With Roscommon having withdrawn from the competition before it started and Offaly losing their opening match to Laois, Declan's Murray's team travelled to Fenagh on Sunday knowing that they needed to overcome the hosts to keep their hopes alive in this year's Championship.
Offaly took a huge stride in the race for promotion from Division 3 of the Allianz Football League with a 2-17 to 0-17 victory over neighbours Kildare in Tullamore this afternoon.
Offaly's qualification for the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B final has raised the prospect of it clashing with the county's opening defence of their Leinster and All-Ireland U20HC titles next month.