Jason Sampson is just about old enough to remember the most recent of Offaly's four All-Ireland hurling final triumphs. Or at least he thinks he is.
The Shinrone man was five in 1998 and has a memory of meeting Betty and Seán Dooley, parents of winning players Johnny and Billy, walking down the steps of the Hogan Stand.
"It sticks in my head, strange things like that," he tells RTÉ Sport. "I remember being in Thurles for the third game against Clare. I would have been very young but I just have faint recollections... I don't know, maybe I don’t have the memories at all. I want to have the memories, maybe!
"I don’t really remember anything on the field but I’ve watched tapes back alright and stuff like that."
The Faithful's fall from grace in the years since is harder to forget. They reached 17 Leinster finals between 1980 and 2000 but only one since, in 2004.
They haven't even competed in the province since suffering back-to-back relegations in 2018 and 2019 and captain Sampson last played a Leinster match since 2016.
But now, only fellow Joe McDonagh Cup (live on RTÉ2/RTÉ Player) finalists Carlow stand in the way of a return to top-tier provincial action.
Spirits in Offaly are high after the U20s' thrilling win over Wexford in the Leinster decider last week.
Their All-Ireland final against Cork has been pushed back by a week, allowing Charlie Mitchell and fellow senior panellists Sam Bourke and Joe Hoctor to tog out at Croke Park this Saturday.
Sampson was among the many fans who made the trip to Carlow to cheer on the youngsters.
"Last Wednesday was a serious occasion," says Sampson. "The Offaly support there was unbelievable.
"You’d be delighted coming home from Carlow last Wednesday night, they showed savage heart and character after Charlie got the second yellow. I suppose if we could harness a bit of that character and heart next Saturday it would go a long way.
"I was delighted it [the U20 final] went to Thurles on the bank holiday Sunday. I can enjoy the match a bit more myself even. You'd nearly be pucking every ball with them.
"It’s great to have Charlie, he’s been brilliant all year, he’s a great chap.
"The senior footballers had a good run in Leinster. The 20s having that good win. There is that feel-good factor around and it would just be great to keep it going at the weekend."
Having spent most of his inter-county career in the forwards, Sampsons has thrived in a new-role at No 6 this season.
"It has worked out okay," he says. Think I’d have to credit the lads around me a lot, lads like Ben [Conneely] and David [King], they would nearly talk you through the game a small bit. Having [brother] Killian beside me as well and the other lads has been good.
"It has been a change but it’s exciting and you nearly get more energy from it because you have to challenge yourself that bit more."
It doesn't hurt to have one of the most decorated defenders of recent times, Tipperary's Brendan Maher, available for advice as Offaly performance coach.
"He'd be in an out, he'd be knocking around and would be there for a phone call if you needed him," says Sampson.
"Brendan's experience, like, he's been there and done it: All-Ireland winner, captain, All-Ireland club final with Borris-Ileigh.
"He's just there to offer advice really. Say if I'm hurling centre-back, if I had a question to ask him, just sound him out for a bit of advice."
Last year, Offaly looked to have done the hard part by winning in round four at promotion rivals Kerry. But they proceeded to miss out on the final on points difference after a last-day defeat against Carlow in Tullamore.
"That win in Kerry, we actually probably didn't hurl that well that day," Sampson recalls. "In fairness to Dave Nally, he got a great score to win it. We probably went out of there thinking, 'That was a big win, brilliant' or whatever.
"We knew Carlow were coming and that it was going to be tough. In fairness we were ready for the battle but they just brought a fair intensity that we didn't match on the day."
Michael Fennelly's three years in charge ended in the wake of that loss but he was replaced as manager by coach Johnny Kelly, and Sampson feels the continuity has been "really important".
"It wasn't like when you have that get-to-know-you period, we didn't have to go through that couple of weeks.
"We drove it on straight away from the minute we went back training which has been really good and it has benefited us."
Carlow's 18-point win when the sides met a fortnight ago comes with the caveat that Offaly rested the majority of their team having already qualified for the final but Sampson says: "We would have been disappointed with our performance. We were expecting a lot better.
"It was a very physical game the week before [against Kerry]. We did come out of it with a fair few knocks and lads did have to get rested.
"The other side of it is that you have a squad where lads were training since last November and it was an opportunity to give those guys a chance. They could be needed on Saturday so they are probably a lot more match sharp now than if they didn't get that game. Those lads earned the right to put their hand up for a position, for a jersey, on Saturday.
"It was what it was, we weren't really affected a whole pile by it. We probably know each other well enough at this stage. Joe Mc match last year, league earlier in the year, so we know the challenge we're facing."
Watch the Joe McDonagh Cup final, Carlow v Offaly, live on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow updates on all of the day's GAA action on the RTÉ News app, RTÉ.ie/Sport or radio updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
