Willie Maher believes youth development is key to success at inter-county level.
Former Laois senior hurling manager Willie Maher believes Offaly is pointing the way when it comes to growing the game in the region.
Laois, Westmeath, and the Faithful County share a number of commonalities as so called 'tier 2' hurling counties.
The three are duel code set-ups, and have found staying at the Liam McCarthy and Division One level difficult over recent years.
Maher is set to take over as GAA's Head of Hurling, and believes last year's Joe McDonagh Cup champions have the blueprint for success: