Damien Martin confesses that he doesn't remember very much about the first appearance of Offaly on the modern hurling scene in 1969 when they came within a few points of springing what would have been a sensational result.

He does, however, remember, that one of Paddy Delaney's three goals went in off a post - a nightmare for any goalkeeper.

"It is a lonely place to be in any game and particularly in hurling. The 1969 Leinster final was a huge day for Offaly hurling and it set the tone for the future.

"I was part of the team from then until 1986 and there were many highs and lows. I was canonised in 1981 when we won our first All-Ireland hurling title and I got abusive letters and telephone calls when we were beaten by Kilkenny in the Leinster final of 1982 by 1-11 to 0-12."

That was the occasion when Kilkenny turned the game near the end with a goal which has caused controversy ever since. The sliotar appeared to be going, or might have gone, over the endline when Kevin Fennelly knocked the ball back across the square and Matt Ruth put it in the net.

Martin was convinced, as was the photographer from The Irish Times, Tom Lawlor, who was on the spot, that the ball had gone wide but the goal stood. Lawlor always regretted that he hadn't pressed his shutter just one more time which would have proved that the ball had, in fact, gone wide. Kilkenny went on to shatter Offaly's dream of back-to-back All Ireland titles and Martin was blamed for a momentary hesitation.

He is often reminded of what he said in a gloomy Offaly dressing room after the match. Asked by a reporter what he was going to do for the rest of the year he replied, with admirable philosophical, frankness: "I'm going to keep the crows out of the barley".

He, naturally, prefers to remember the better days. "The victory over Galway in 1981 was the high point for my hurling without any doubt," says Martin. "One of the things I remember is that I was given credit for a save which was crucial to the outcome. Finbarr Gantley took a shot from close range and I went for it but it came back off the crossbar and I got the credit. These things happen in hurling," he says.

That victory and later performances confirmed Offaly as a power in hurling and Leinster final victories in 1984 and 1985, with Martin still guarding the net, their position among the elite of hurling was secure.

Like his former Kilkenny rival, Pat Henderson, he believes that the so-called "back door" system in hurling has been a success but that it may need some "fine tuning". He would like to see it "restructured" in some way and believes that the introduction of the open draw system in the Leinster championship played a major part in the emergence of Offaly as a force to be reckoned with in hurling.

The arrival of Michael Bond to take control of Offaly hurling he sees as being beneficial. "He seems to have put new spirit into the side and the lads have responded. The motivation seems to have returned and, there is no doubt, that the three matches against Clare have been of enormous benefit to the team.

"They were very down after the Kilkenny match but that is now behind them. They have built up team-work and stamina and are a much better team now.

"It remains to be seen how the two teams will line out. As things are on the team sheets at the moment it is difficult to assess what may happen, particularly with positions vacant in both teams.

"It might even bring about a clash between Willie O'Connor and Joe Dooley and that would be of enormous interest to hurling followers everywhere. These are two of the most experienced players in the country. Without a doubt they will both play a major part in the outcome of the match," Martin says. Among the players from other teams that he admires he names, without any doubt or hesitation, John Connolly of Galway and Frank Cummins of Kilkenny as the best midfielders he has played against in his time.

He also names Jimmy Barry Murphy of Cork among those he admires. He also feels that fellow Offaly players such as Paddy Molloy and Paddy Spellman are players who have not been properly recognised for their hurling prowess.

As far as the outcome of Sunday's match is concerned he is hopeful that his county can add to their laurels. "You never get anything easy against Kilkenny and it will not be any different on Sunday. I believe that Offaly have improved greatly since the previous match and the defence will be much tighter," he says. "It is very hard to call but after a very good year for hurling the last 10 minutes could prove to be crucial," he says with a hint that Offaly's bank of a more difficult path to the final might just shade it.