Offaly Senior Inter County Hurling 2012

[kingscounty]

was at the game in clara great set up and fair play to clara gaa. the game was brutal from an offaly point of view. in the first half the defence were hand passing balls in front of the goals and wouldnt just drive the ball out of danger. we will be destroyed if wexford put a fast mover on kenny , he is way to slow at full back and struggles to clear ball. rigney was poor at corner back i would rather see him at half back. we had very little in the forward line , ryan battled hard as he always does but we need all the forwards to be firing when it comes to championship. i know it was only a challenge but we are so far off the pace its unreal, fitness and skill level is worlds apart . championship in two weeks it aint gona be easy.

[townman]

was at the game in clara great set up and fair play to clara gaa. the game was brutal from an offaly point of view. in the first half the defence were hand passing balls in front of the goals and wouldnt just drive the ball out of danger. we will be destroyed if wexford put a fast mover on kenny , he is way to slow at full back and struggles to clear ball. rigney was poor at corner back i would rather see him at half back. we had very little in the forward line , ryan battled hard as he always does but we need all the forwards to be firing when it comes to championship. i know it was only a challenge but we are so far off the pace its unreal, fitness and skill level is worlds apart . championship in two weeks it aint gona be easy.

yes our skill level is years behind kilkennys, didn't get to the game but i would be worried if one of our best players Kenny got a run around tonight

[Bord na Mona man]

Offaly's other major problem was the old failing of an inability to win ball in the air. Even the smallest and youngest Kilkenny subs seemed to be well able to compete for high ball.

This is a key point. Bear in mind that some of the best Kilkenny defenders over the last few years have actually being relatively small in height. Tommy Walsh allegedly 5 feet 9 (5-8 at a stretch more like), Noel Hickey 5-10, Michael Kavanagh 5-10, JJ Delaney 5-11. Yet the high ball is like nuts to a monkey to these lads

In Offaly a frequently trotted out excuse for our players being poor at catching is the players being too small and too light. Supposedly this means our style should be to break the high ball and then move it quickly away (give it away quickly) because of our lack of stature.

[Ahlethimoutwithit]

Enter 2012. A new year, a new management and a year of great potential for Offaly. A few things to cover.

Firstly; Coolderry’s much publicised and much deserved success. Asides from the honours won and what they mean to those players and that club, by far the best thing that can ever come from their journey is the development of a degree positivity among Offaly’s hurling fraternity. For what seems like an eternity now, our own supporters have consistently run down the quality of the players at our disposal and the standard of the club scene. This, allied to the national media’s almost universal ignorance and utter indifference to our county, has meant our hurling team operating under a pall of near total negativity and lack of expectation for the last number of years. A valid point can be made that this was partly due to the widely known deficiencies of the previous management. That notwithstanding, the dismissal of our team, our county with that imbecilic phrase ‘ah shur the hurlers aren’t there’ by so many of our own “supporters” for so long must end.

Lest there be confusion, let me be clear. There is a fine line between reasonable and constructive expectation and harmful delusion. Thus, I am not implying that all should start booking the rooms in Croke Park Jury’s for the first weekend in September. Nor should any ignore the significant and serious problems that exist with the structure of our underage system and the utter lack of not only success, but also competitiveness that we have experienced at these grades. These are deeply worrying issues for our county. However, these concerns should not be allowed to permeate illogically across all aspects of Offaly hurling like a cloud of negativity. Taken in isolation our current panel and the players thereon have great potential. It should thus be expected, even demanded, of those players that they be as close to Tipperary and Kilkenny as anybody else. Nothing should be feared of any of the remaining teams and victory should be anticipated against any and all of them. ‘Heroic’ defeats against these middle-ranking teams should no longer be treated as an acceptable way to conclude yet another summer in June. Jesus, we’ve had enough of them. If we can reach this level both as supporters and players, then may the journey continue from there.

As for the team itself, evolution not revolution should reign. Players that were given their debut under John McIntyre and that stagnated under Joe Dooley are now reaching their peak. Diarmuid Horans return is extremely significant. A hurler of great quality, he may be the difference. Coolderry, despite their club success, have no guaranteed starters on the county team. This should surprise none. The link between club and county success is non-existent; ones impact upon the other is negligible. Just ask Galway. Thus, talk of up to five, maybe six, Offaly starters hailing from Coolderry is nothing but a utterly ridiculous knee jerk reaction. Deserving of a place on the panel, never mind the team, are Eoin Ryan, Brian Carroll, Damien Murray and Cathal Parlon. The remainder from the county champions have either had numerous ultimately unsuccessful inter-county opportunities in the past or are, quite simply, not good enough/there are much better players in the county.

The balance of the team and specifically of the defence is one that will engender great debate, specifically the positioning of Diarmuid Horan, Rory Hannify and Dylan Hayden. At one stage or another all of these have played to greater or lesser extents in the Offaly defence. Robbing Peter to pay Paul; our midfield and attack has suffered because of this. Defenders among an injury free panel would include David Franks, Paul Cleay, Michael Verney, Stephen Egan, Brain Mulrooney, Stephen Wynne, Christopher McDonald, James Rigney, David Kenny, Derek 'Del' Morkan, Sean Coughlan, Eanna Murphy, Barry Harding and Brian Watkins. (Apologies if any names were unintentionally omitted). A formidable defence can be constructed from these alone, Del and and Kenny (surely deserving of a sustained run at CB?) being the guaranteed starters. However, few of these are capable of playing anywhere outside the back six. Thus, omitting brilliant players in their own right and leaving them on the bench to accommodate Horan, Hayden, or Hanniffy in defence while at the same time depriving the midfield/attack of Horan, Hayden or Hanniffy makes little sense. At most one of these three should be entertained in defence, the remaining two must be allowed ply their wares further up the pitch and provide badly needed quality assistance to Bergin and Dooley.

At midfield it’s a case of take your pick and the two will largely be determined by the approach the management take with the half back and half forward lines. In addition to the usuals, worth a chance here would be Tomas Carroll. With directed coaching, he has all the raw attributes necessary to make an impression on the inter-county stage. For the forwards; guaranteed are Shane Dooley, Joe Bergin and Derek Molloy. After his performance against Kevin Grogan of Kilcormac/Kiloughy lasy year, Colin Egan may be worth a trial in the troublesome full forward berth. The remaining places to be filled by Dylan Hayden, Rory Hanniffy, Diarmuid Horan, Brendan Murphy, Brian Carroll or Eoin Ryan. Whatever the final combination of the starting 15, it is clear that there will be a number of talented hurlers on the bench. Given the nature of the today’s game, this is of inestimable importance.

The general consensus thus far is that Baker has started well. After the last few years, these are welcome reports. We can but hope that this continues as the physical training tails off, the skills coaching commences and team selection begins. The new league, that some counties hypocritically, selfishly and short sightdly deride but is in fact much preferable to last year’s model, should be targeted and won. Infinitely preferable to win these games, particularly after last year’s league fiasco. Good acquittal here, confidence gained and Wexford on a sunny June evening won’t come quick enough.

So, that’s where we stand. Put simply, this panel has the potential to achieve greatness over the next couple of years. Precious time has been lost over the last few years. The opportunity has, however, not passed. The very best of luck to all those involved.

Let the journey begin.

Well, before we get carried away over last nights result, lets put it in perspective. We are 2 weeks away from playing Wexford, a team we should have convincingly beaten in the league. But where do we stand? Where is the consistency of performance? As per the post above, we have a new management on board, we have a reasonably experienced team, (pipped by both Dublin and Cork by a couple of points last year).
Scoreline in 2005 Kilkenny 6 28 Offaly 18pts. Same gap last night.
The word is out that Wexford are going well in challenges, I dont care lads, we have the hurlers to beat them. However we need to be hungrier, smarter and more composed than them, in order to prevail.
We have to have backs who dont give away soft frees, and are out in front of their men, we have to deliver the ball well to the forwards, a midfield who helps out defensively. This is all bread & butter stuff, and i'm not sure we have the plan in place.

If we lose to Wexford ,(and no disrespect to Wexford) we are heading for a dark place. We have talented hurlers, but they dont appear to be working as a team, and hell bent at doing what it takes to succeed in the modern game.

Winning by a point against Wexford is all that counts, we owe them several at this stage, we dont like them, they dont like us, so lets lay down a marker against them, and lets have something to build on for the summer.

[Bord na Mona man]

Cats maul Offaly in Clara stroll

Kilkenny 6-26 Offaly 1-15

IT WAS a challenge that turned into a stroll from very early on as All-Ireland and National Hurling League champions, Kilkenny, crushed Offaly in this exhibition game to mark the official opening of Clara’s (Offaly) new gorunds yesterday evening, writes John Knox.

Offaly, who play Wexford in the championship in O’Connor Park, Tullamore, on Saturday week, could have done without a pasting like this so soon before the big day in Leinster, but Kilkenny simply couldn’t help themselves.

Manager Brian Cody was without a raft of players, including Henry Shefflin, Michael Rice, Brian Hogan, Richie Power and so on, but the selection cobbled together after a busy weekend of club action simply rolled on and cut down the opposition. Four points were shared equally between T.J. Reid and Conor Fogarty on one side and Joe Bergin and Sean Ryan on the other during the opening 10 minutes.

Tomas Breen, who showed a fair touch and finished as top scorer with 2-4, clipped over a nice point to put Kilkenny in front in the 12th minute and they never looked back. John Tennyson, who was sampling his first piece of inter-county action since the All-Ireland final of 2010, arrowed over another point shortly afterwards and already Offaly were on the slide.

When Aidan Fogarty, who returned after a wrist injury, shot his first score after 20 minutes the Kilkenny lead went to 0-9 to 0-3. Minutes later Breen finished to the Offaly net after Eoin Larkin, as casual as you like, sliced open the home defence when raiding on the right (1-10 to 0-4).

By the break goals were added by Tomas Breen (28th minute) and T.J. Reid (30th minute) to leave Offaly a well beaten team when 0-6 to 3-13 down at half way.

For the second half Kilkenny introduced a batch of subs, including Brian Kennedy, Joe Brennan, Walter Walsh and Joe Lyng. Their efficiency and lovely touch never varied.

In fact, Brennan (2) and Walter Walsh (1) got among the goals and Padraig Walsh scored five points in his second match in two days as the Cats won at their ease without every going beyond second gear.

Scorers: Kileknny - Tomas Breen (2-4); Joe Brennan (2-0); T.J. Reid (1-3, one point free); Padraig Walsh (0-5); Aidan Fogaty (0-5, one free); Walter Walsh (1-1); Ger Aylward (0-3); John Tennyson, Conor Fogarty, R. Hogan, Martin Walsh (0-1 each); Paddy Hogan (0-1, free). Offaly - Brian Carroll (0-5); Shane Dooley (0-4, one free); Joe Bergin (0-4); Sean Ryan (1-1); Conor Mahon (0-1).

Kilkenny - Eoin Murphy, Tommy Walsh, Kieran Joyce, Richie Doyle, John Tennyson, Paul Murphy, Lester Ryan, Conor Fogarty, Paddy Hogan, Eoin Larkin, T.J. Reid, Padraig Walsh, Tomas Breen, Richie Hogan, Aidan Fogarty. Subs - Brian Kennedy for R. Hogan; Joe Brennan for E. Larkin; Walter Walsh for T. Walsh; Joe Lyng for T.J. Reid; Ger Aylward for P. Walsh; Martin Walsh for R. Doyle.

Offaly - James Dempsey, James Rigney, David Kenny, David Franks, Barry Harding, Paul Cleary, Derek Markham, Kevin Brady, Conor Hernan, Cathal Parlon, Brian Carroll, Brendan Murphy, Thomas Carroll, Joe Bergin, Sean Ryan. Subs - Joe Dooley for T. Carroll; Conor Mahon.

Referee - Brian Gavin.

http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/sport/gael ... -1-3864959

[corner back]

but they dont appear to be working as a team.

This, to me, was one of the most striking difference between the teams last night. Offaly lads spent the night going for their own scores whereas Kilkenny always seemed to choose the right option. If a man was better placed, he always got the ball.

[Kevin]

but they dont appear to be working as a team.

This, to me, was one of the most striking difference between the teams last night. Offaly lads spent the night going for their own scores whereas Kilkenny always seemed to choose the right option. If a man was better placed, he always got the ball.

Good heavens!

This was the last sort of thing I was hoping to hear.

Hopefully the lads will take the right options versus Wexford.

The above mentioned can be habit forming and would be a shame if it becomes our undoing.

No score will be big enough if we are fortunate enough to get ahead against Wexford. We must be ruthless. It will take everyone on a selfless destructive mission.

Whatever it takes...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzOHq5WbQ8k

[bracknaghboy]

Offaly should have switched this game to Birr at the last minute, gaurenteeing a 10,000+ crowd and an inevitable home victory over the Cats

[joe bloggs]

Offaly should have switched this game to Birr at the last minute, gaurenteeing a 10,000+ crowd and an inevitable home victory over the Cats

I doubt NAMA would have approved

[UibhFhaili2012]

Offaly - James Dempsey, James Rigney, David Kenny, David Franks, Barry Harding, Paul Cleary, Derek Markham, Kevin Brady, Conor Hernan, Cathal Parlon, Brian Carroll, Brendan Murphy, Thomas Carroll, Joe Bergin, Sean Ryan. Subs - Joe Dooley for T. Carroll; Conor Mahon.

Joe Rolling Back The Years..... We Wish

[Plain of the Herbs]

Careless by John Knox. Joe Dooley, indeed. Derek Morkan is long enough on the scene to have his name spelt right by now. And totally dismissive of the opposition by not listing the Offaly subs. Oh, Conor Mahon came on and no-one came off, did they?

Another thing. In respects it was a nice touch by Kilkenny to bring all the trophies they currently hold and leave them on display for people to hold, admire and have their photos taken with. On the other hand, there was more than a touch of arrogance about the lords of the manor showing their riches to the plebs. ‘Just a look, but you’re not getting it’ kind of stuff. Plenty of stuff for the dressing room door if they're that way inclined. Better than giving guards of honour anyway.

Offaly - James Dempsey, James Rigney, David Kenny, David Franks, Barry Harding, Paul Cleary, Derek Markham, Kevin Brady, Conor Hernan, Cathal Parlon, Brian Carroll, Brendan Murphy, Thomas Carroll, Joe Bergin, Sean Ryan. Subs - Joe Dooley for T. Carroll; Conor Mahon.

Joe Rolling Back The Years..... We Wish

[Plain of the Herbs]

Congratulations to Clara on the work done on their grounds. Absolutely fantastic. And a well-produced programme too.
As for the hurling. I thought Offaly wired into them for the first 20 minutes and played some good hurling too. By the time it was 0-8 to 0-3, the balance of play was nearer 50:50, but many of Offaly’s chances were from out on the flanks, or in the corners, and were driven wide. In contrast, Kilkenny’s scoring chances were all from central positions inside Offaly’s 45m line. Offaly dropped the heads after Kilkenny’s first goal. The level of communication between the players, and from the management, virtually stopped.

Ahlethimoutwithit and Corner Back hit on something above, that Kilkenny worked as a team and Offaly didn’t. I feel this is a problem caused by the ‘ground hurling’ blight, where an Offaly hurler is encouraged to lash the ball as far as he can when under pressure. Or, indeed, when not under pressure. In other works, drive the ball and let it be someone else’s problem after that. As a result, Offaly don’t make the correct runs and they don’t think two or three steps ahead, like a snooker player would. Ant the ball keeps getting lashed, and players keep getting caught in possession.

A player should not have to turn around in possession when pressurised. There should always be a supporting player coming around in the eye-line of the ball-holder. Offaly got ne’er a hook, or a block, or a flick on the ball last night. As regular contributors here know, this is Offaly’s primary source of possession. Another worry is that the Offaly team spent the whole second half crying “steps, steps” at Brian Gavin. Shur, when did a referee blow for steps in the last ten years? Get with the times, lads.

Centre half-back is now a real problem though. Rory Hanniffy didn’t line out which must make him a major doubt for Wexford. James Rigney’s knee was bandaged for the second half too. David Kenny will line out where he is needed most, wherever that will be. Alternatives for 3 and 6 are thin on the ground. When Paul Cleary departed Kevin Brady went to centre half-back and Conor Mahon came on at midfield. Brian Carroll is hurling well at the moment though he is hardly a centre half-forward, whatever else he is.

I wouldn’t be entirely despondent after that match last night. The level of intensity that Kilkenny’s tackling brought to the game will stand to Offaly. Better than playing a Clare or a Limerick. Remember Offaly were walloped in a challenge match below in Cork a couple of years ago, seven days before they drew with Galway in Croke Park. One thing Offaly hurling retains is the ability to put heavy defeats behind them and to get back on the horse, so to speak. And no-one cares about results in challenge matches. I’ve been getting text messages from friends from outside Offaly today that read “that must be depressing?” Not at all.

Wexford next.

[Kevin]

Wexford next.

Yep, nuthin' else matters at this stage...

[Ahlethimoutwithit]

The times of aimless wides has to stop, I read back over POTH's start of season post and said , fair point, we have some good hurlers who are in their prime, we had gotten a reprieve in the league and new management.
I went to the first game v Laois and said, yep, the lads are looking for the runner, and we tried to do the right thing, however Laois still ran up a big score against us. Fair enough, the scoring seems to be a lot higher nowadays than what it used to be as was pointed out.

Point is, teams appear still to be able to make space at will against us, we have not developed the art of defending and attacking as a team.
There is also another point, this batch of players have had a number of hard luck stories in the past. No more lads, Wexford are well beatable, and the confidence Offaly would gain from beating them would be immense, and then on to face Galway, who though probably a step to far, are beatable to. If we can produce the intensity required to beat Wexford, then we can give Galway a right game.

Wexford will be right up for this one, they got a win in the league that they should not have gotten. We really owe them now, and lets face it, we have a generation of kids who have never experienced an Offaly team being roared on to victory, indeed the nearest we have come was that evening over in Portlaoise v Galway. This is a huge opportunity, and to let it pass would be huge blow to hurling in Offaly, Wexford can take the defeat as they are in a rebuilding phase. We need to be ruthless, the punters need to be there in big numbers, and let the lads know how important this is.
€25 for 3 hours of hurling, on our doorstep, get over it lads, bring a box and stand on the terrace. No excuses from us our the players, ....... as the Bull McCabe said...."tis our field!!"....(shite dont want to open the Birr/Tullamore debate at this stage, but ye know what I mean!!). Ollie, time to get them lads wired up like ye were in yer heyday, and allied to a bit of composure we can indeed pick some strawberries!!

Im off for a puck around with all that adrenalin, and no ground pucks!!

[My Left Foot]

Have to say i completely agree with comments above

I don't care how we win - just win
No more hard luck stories, no more what ifs - win this game - just do it. As tom Hanks said in Saving Private Ryan - Earn it !
a team effort or 3-7 from Joe Bergin I don't care - just make it happen and don't be outmuscled and outfought (and don't get sent off doing it either !)

This Wexford team believes they will beat us and can physically impose their game on us at home in Tullamore.
Do Offaly believe the same ?

We have suffered enough at their hands in the last few years ( mostly deservedly so). It is time to reverse the trend as anything else is a disaster for us after so many years with this panel. It was not good to take that recent trimming but maybe it will serve to show where we are at and we have to do ( yet again - enough reminders at this stage !)

The county board should do as much as they can to get a good crowd in too.

Can't effing wait for it.