management and mentors, as they sought to break the Wexford-Kilkenny stranglehold on the Bob O'Keeffe Cup. One such expedient was to try Pádraig Horan at No. 14; while the erstwhile full forward Eugene Coughlan was switched to defensive duties from 1978 onwards. In the National Hurling League of 1978/79, Offaly showed themselves to be on a par with anything else in Leinster. Drawing with Clare in the opening round – an important result for Offaly following their dismal Leinster Championship exit – they next faced Wexford in Gorey and recorded a victory that still stands apart. With a Seir Kieran contingent of Eugene Coughlan at corner back, Joe Mooney at wing back and Kieran Mooney at corner forward, Offaly battled back from an 11-point half time deficit to prevail by 2-17 to 0-17. Although less spectacular, of even more significance was the third round victory over Kilkenny (3-10 to 2-6), at Birr on 29 October 1978. Although repeatedly foiled by Damien Martin's goalkeeping, Kilkenny did gain sway for 15 minutes of the second half. But Offaly, with Eugene Coughlan now at centre back, reasserted themselves towards the end of a hard-fought, fair, no-holds-barred encounter and a notable victory. Éamonn Cregan's personal tally of 2-7 for Limerick in the fourth round, at Ennis on 12 November 1978, in itself would have been enough to dispose of Offaly. However, another stirring Offaly performance resulted in a draw against Galway in bitterly cold late November conditions. Eugene Coughlan kept Noel Lane out of contention. The teams were level seven times, with Kieran Mooney's point tying it up with just seconds to go. Defeat to Waterford at Dungarvan in February 1979 did not derail Offaly's advance to the League Semi-Final against Tipperary. Although concession of too many frees again cost Offaly dear, this was an exciting and competitive encounter, with Paddy Kirwan (Ballyskenagh) converting a last-minute free despite the huge tension, to leave it all square (Offaly 4-8, Tipperary 1-17). This form was not maintained in the League Semi-final replay at Croke Park on 15 April, which Tipperary easily won. This was not the best prelude to encountering Wexford in the Leinster Senior Hurling Semi-final, fixed for Athy on 24 June 1979. Nonetheless, the casual beginning to this match gave way to a thrilling climax, when gallant Offaly went down by the minimum. Offaly began with an all-Seir Kieran half back line of Joe