Offaly boost with Niall McNamee set for return

Niall McNamee made his senior Offaly debut in 2003 and announced his retirement following the All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Cavan in 2017

Offaly manager John Maughan has been dealt a major boost with forward Niall McNamee making a U-turn on his decision to retire from inter-county football.

The Mirror has reported that the 33-year-old, who last played for the county in a qualifier defeat to Cavan in 2017, has returned to the panel and is expected to feature in the coming weeks.

Offaly began their Division Three campaign with a one-point defeat to Westmeath and travel to Pearse Park on Sunday to take on Longford.

McNamee’s return will seriously bolster the Faithful attack and the gifted forward won his 10th county medal last year after notching 0-09 against Ferbane.

The former Offaly captain announced his inter-county retirement in August 2017, with a 2006 Leinster final the closet he came to provincial silverware. He was nominated for an All Star that year after a number of sparkling performances in the championship.