Offaly 1-11 Tipp 1-7

[Fido]

Couldn't get to this, what was it like? Result looks tight but I believe we were never behind, is that the case?
Continues on the work that needs to be done in getting out of Div 4 anyway so good stuff.

[Lone Shark]

Performance was unedifying to say the least. It was probably about 50% down to poor performances and 50% due to being dragged down by the standad of opponent. It was actually a quite uncomfortable game, because it had the air of one of those games where we were coasting at 2-4 points in front, and that Tipp could make a burst at any time, and bad timing could lead to a real sucker punch result.

It wasn't for the want of trying - Tipp did get a (second) penalty towards the end, but Grogan hit it too high and spared us a very nervy finish. Having said all that, I think that this is the kind of game that does us no good at all. If we were against any kind of opponent there we would have been four or five points adrift at half time, and we would have been forced to make changes and up our game. As it happened we kept on coasting, and I'd be worried about how many players are easing into a comfort zone, and at just the wrong time with the do-or-die trip to Belfast on the horizon against some fairly high flying opponents.

The tactics are also not pleasant to watch. This excessive carrying of the ball is not suited to a team with so many lighter players, and will make huge demands of fitness when we hopefully run into the summer. It also seems odd, seeing as scores most often result from space, and this pretty much eliminates any possibility of space. It also makes frees in and out highly likely - and with our freetaking the way it is, that's not a good plan.

I won't go into a match summary here, since it will be covered in the papers - instead I'll do my usual thing of player by player.

Padraig Kelly - Didn't do anything wrong, couldn't be blamed for the penalty and generally aimed his kickouts well.

Ger Rafferty - I don't like the way he started charging forward a bit more than usual - he does not belong beyond our own 65 at all, and looks like a rabbit in headlights up there. Good defending though, as usual. One of our better defenders again.

Scott Brady - Still get the impression he's a bit of a makeshift full back, but he read the game very well and minded the square. Unless Evans comes back to form in a big way it looks like he's a decent option to stay there for the summer.

Brian Darby - He needs to keep the head a bit better - he let the rest of the side down by conceding a few rash frees, which was a pity because otherwise he carried well and defended aggressively. A work in progress still though.

Paul McConway - He was quite anonymous - didn't get on any breaking ball, didn't charge forward, and generally struggled to get into it. Was replaced at half time and right now is on borrowed time with the likes of Slattery and Neville Coughlan waiting to return.

Richie Fox - Gave away one bad ball, but otherwise repeated his trick from last week of holding his ground, using the ball well and displaying some excellent positioning. He'll hold his shirt at the very least.

Nigel Grennan - A lot quieter this week, but was still on top of his man usually. Found himself matched for pace which doesn't often happen, but he still had a few nice cameos.

Alan McNamee - This is getting beyond a joke now. Still hasn't caught a kickout in about two years, gave away one of the most boneheaded tap-over frees ever, and if he's not up the pace of a game like this what chance has he in the summer? I don't like getting on the case of a player like this, but for his own sake he needs to get his form and drive back.

Ciarán McManus - The only one who took a shot from range, and it was an impotant point at the time - no doubt Pat Roe will have given out to him for doing it. Once again he was our man of the match - covered yards up and down the field, and used the ball really well. If that comes across as fawning, then so be it - we'd be lost without him still.

David Egan - The carrying game doesn't suit him, and he didn't really get the chance to get into the game at all. He was unlucky to be taken off at half time - I though he was doing okay in tricky conditions and a poor game plan, but he seems to be the first man Roe calls ashore.

Niall McNamee - Seems to be under instruction to take every free from all over the field, and it doesn't suit him. He was too far from goal to really threaten the net at any stage, and he still got three points from play. A poor game for him, punctuated by flashes of what he can do and erratic freetaking. I'd still be leaning towards putting him back in at full forward myself, but may as well continue the experiment.

Niall Smith - He ain't the finished product by any means, but he showed a lot more aggression and fire dropping back into the middle, and he took a few high catches himself. Improving, and right now is almost certain to start in the championship.

Thomas Deehan - The goal was lucky to drop into his lap, and it saved him. He didn't get himself into good positions to receive the ball, and carried it into trouble repeatedly. A lot of it was due to poor support, but he took some bad options.

John Reynolds - Did his best to show for the ball, but didn't make any impact with it. The carrying game is killing him - much like you either pick him in the full forward line or don't pick him, there's no point in picking him when you're going to play a slow, crowded style.

Paschal - I'm like a broken record, but I don't care. He got a yellow card in the first half, and still had one more high tackle and was giving out to the ref like a good thing after the second penalty award. Unlike last week he didn't make any real extensive positive contribution from general play, and once he started dropping deep to receive the ball he was of no real benefit to the team.

James Keane - Didn't pull up any trees, but he did a solid defensive job and was an improvement on his club mate. He'll quite possibly get the start next time around.

Ken Casey - Added a bit of a life to a very lethargic full forward line, but I still think he's not quite ready for this yet. Under 21 will be the real test of where his development is currently at.

[Bord na Mona man]

When the pitches dry out a bit, will we see Offaly play a more direct game?
Realistically our best hope is to go back to the tactic firing early balls into a Deehan and McNamee two man full forward line.
This got us to the Leinster final in '06.
No other game plan since then has worked to the same effect.

[Lone Shark]

You would hope - but if that's the case, one has to wonder why we're spending so long at this alien game all winter when we'd be much better employed get everyone familiar with their likely summer roles.

[the bare biffo]

Kilmurray was criticised for having no Plan B.
While quick direct ball into NMc and TD worked well against the lesser lights but in fairness Dublin were able to tie the lads up relatively easily.
At least there might be a viable plan B to try this time round.
We'll just have to wait and see.

At this early stage is looking like the next game could be a winner takes all event.
A Saturday night in Casement is looking more attractive all the time.

Did anyone head up for the hurling ? How was the trip?

[redser]

The display was poor alright but at least they are getting the results. The game up in Antrim is going to be very tough and on yesterdays form they will be beaten but man for man Offaly have better players than Antrim without question.

The full back line still looks shakey. I dont think Darby is a good defender and i never have. He cost Rhode some big leinster games in the past and ive seen him in big trouble in some club games last year.

Pascal is a real threat when close to goal. I firmly believe he has plenty to offer in there but must control his rash challenges and mouthing.

Niall McNamee is not a free taker and also should be the man they are looking for when kicking in frees. Has to be put in full forward line. Reynolds to lose out. A sub at best.

We will never go anywhere until midfield is sorted but that is a big job and i dont know if theres anybody capable of filling the role.

[Lone Shark]

We will never go anywhere until midfield is sorted but that is a big job and i dont know if theres anybody capable of filling the role.

To be fair, on the surface of it there just isn't - however that makes the absence of experimentation all the more unforgiveable.