Anyone at the challenge match against Clare last night?

[Lone Shark]

I know the hurlers played Clare last night in Tullamore, but couldn't make it myself - anyone in there to give some idea how things are shaping up?

[the flying saucer]

yes i was there last night,they hurled well and won.joe tried a couple of new lads,eddie bevans and dillon hayden,started lads in different positions. made so many changes that it was confusing.our back line still steady enough,even with out kenny and franks in the first half. some of our forwards still not very impressive,makes you wonder why he plays del morkan ( shinrone ) at wing back,and not try him in the forwards, having scored 1-12 in the club championship last week end.The regulars like murphy,brady,franks,carroll,hannify all played well.

[Lone Shark]

Is this the same Eddie Bevans of Shinrone who had to quit before on account of the heart condition?

If that's the case, then that's a fantastic story and great news to hear. I met him last year and he was a very honest and engaging lad, it was hard not to feel very sympathetic towards a young lad like that suddenly forced to call it quits. That's truly great news if he's back playing.

Hayden often seems to come back in at this time, though in fairness he was a standout performer last weekend. Great to hear that Brian Carroll did well too - he hasn't been on form for a while and it's good to see him getting a good game in before next weekend.

[Troy boy]

What was the team?

and who won?

[beirut]

From Hoganstand...

SH challenge: Faithful too good for Clare
21 May 2009

In what was their last outing before Sunday week's Leinster SHC opener against Wexford, Offaly emerged as four-point winners over Clare in a senior hurling challenge at Tullamore last night.

Offaly.2-18
Clare1-17

Goals either side of half-time from Brian Carroll and Joe Bergin proved all-important in a game which saw both managers take a look at as many players as possible. The home side led by 1-10 to 1-6 at half-time, having raced into a 0-5 to 0-0 lead after seven minutes. But a Mark Flaherty penalty cut the gap to four at the interval.

But Joe Dooley's men extended their advantage when substitute Joe Bergin netted just after the restart and although Clare rallied with points from Tony Griffin and Caimin Morey, they couldn't claw back the deficit.



Also ...

Offaly's Horan heading Stateside
21 May 2009

Offaly's hurling championship hopes have been a dealt a major blow with the news that wing back Diarmuid Horan intends spending the summer in the US.

The 21-year-old, who recently returned to action after a hip injury, informed manager Joe Dooley of his decision to travel to the States two months ago.

Horan, whose father Padraig captained the Faithful County to their maiden All-Ireland hurling triumph in 1981, only returned to action with his club St. Rynagh's two weeks ago after missing the entire National League campaign with a torn cartilage in his right hip which required surgery in early April.

[faithfulman]

Offaly Team and Scorers:
1: Brian Mullins
2:Michael Verney
3: Paul Cleary
4: Stephen Wynne (David Franks h-t)
5:Derek Morkan
6:Ger Oakley (Rory Hanniffy 20 min)
7:Jimmy Rigney
8:Conor Mahon(0-1)
9:Kevin Brady(0-2,1f) (Brendan Murphy h-t)
10:Brian Carroll(1-4,2f)
11:Joe Brady(0-1)
12:Eddie Bevans(0-2),(Derek Molloy(0-1) h-t)
13:Colm Coughlan(0-2),(Dylan Hayden(0-1)h-t)
14:Dan Currams(0-1),(Joe Bergin(1-0)h-t)
15:Cathal Parlon,(Shane Dooley(0-3,2f)h-t)