Both Offaly and Westmeath have impressed against elite hurling counties this year.
Joe Fortune is the latest midlands manager to cite the Joe McDonagh Cup over Division One hurling this year.
The Westmeath manager saw his players go down fighting against Tipperary in Semple Stadium on Saturday evening.
While the Lake County have now racked up three losses in their opening three league matches, their last two performances against All Ireland Champions Limerick and Tipperary have earned positive reviews.
Games against Antrim and Dublin in their last two fixtures offer Fortune and his side a chance at picking up a first win of the season.
However the Westmeath boss says the most important game of their season will be after the league ends:
After Offaly's latest defeat at the top level Johnny Kelly said similar in Nowlan Park:
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