Offaly Minor Football 2024

[del]

Agreed Ferbane have been very good but I’d fancy Rhode to take them in the semi final. I believe Tullamore were missing 4 regular starters yesterday thru injury. With schools football on at the moment too injury etc will come into it . But it’s an open championship and agreed Na Fianna have fallen off a cliff at minor they were in the u 13 final and the semi final at u 15 with this group

[jimbob17]

Kudos to Tullamore for getting second team to A q final. Not sure Tullamore were always strong with current u17s. Current U18 and U16 groups were always strong but u17 group this year are young and rely on lots of u16s.

Manchans should be comfortable favourites given how many they had on Co minor team this year. Think 6 played in one championship game for Offaly this year and they had more unused on panel.

Have to ask questions re Na Fianna. Is there something in water out there. Huge talent has gone through that underage club and they have had huge nos in primary schools and were always strong in u13 level, but often disimprove significantly as they get older. Noticed this pattern over many years. Many of their adult clubs are underachieving too when you consider numbers with all in either junior or inter level level football, which is 3rd and 4th tier stuff - ie Old Junior A and Junior B level. It is quite simply staggering when you compare that St Vincent's can have a senior A (Ballycommon) club and two strong senior B clubs (Daingean Cappincur) with Kilclonfert (junior) in comparison with smaller numbers.

Maybe likes of Clodiagh Gaels and Ballinagar/Raheen amalgamations (and Offaly) would be better served to go on their own at underage as they seem to have the nos based on go games and primary schools numbers. Way too many players get lost in this area I'd feel for whatever reason - and all four clubs are losing out in longer run in terms of player development when only 15 players from the 4 clubs are only getting to play minor level football consistently. With Na Fianna numbers, they should have 2 teams at every grade in football.

You could make similar point re St Vincent's and St Manchans, albeit Manchans wouldnt have nos as big. The likes of Doon, Tubber Ballycumber and Tubber would all be better served with underage teams as Ballycumber Tubber amalgamation and DER Gaels amalgamations playing in B where possible than with a 4 club amalgamation in A where only a fraction of a clubs players get meaningful game time for develpment at underage, with many giving up too soon and never making adult level. If and when a year group don't have a team, then is when that group only should join for 4 club amalgamation. If clubs were really interested in development of their club, then that is what they'd be pushing for from their respective areas from within around 4 club amalgamation. Daingean seem to have taken bull by horns with their mini maroons initiative, and Offaly are encouraging clubs to put own teams into gogames where possible but there seems to be some short sighted thinking and a bit of a lack of strategic thinking in some of these areas.... Might be resistance or political avoidance on this but the sooner adults realise the more young lads you can keep playing for longer, the stronger their own clubs and indeed Offaly will be as a result.

[del]

This Tullamore U17 group won U 15 2yrs ago and u 13 2 yrs before that. They would have always been ahead of Manchans well ahead . Manchans have gained ground for sure . Tullamore The majority of their second team are U16 whereas there are probably only 5 u 16 on the A team . Just because Manchans had 6 lads on the panel dosent mean they are clear favs.
Shamrocks are a decent side too and won’t fear St Manchans at all in the quarter final

[del]

Re Na Fianna I think u are spot on . That amalgamation is not working way too many kids lost . I’d question the level of coaching going on out there compared to what has gone in st Vincent’s until recently where it looks like the wheels have fallen off too. Smaller amalgamations will lead to more player retention I would feel anyway but the clubs in Na Fianna don’t have the appetite for it . The county board to be fair have been pushing football clubs involved in the amalgamations to go play with their individual clubs where possible particularly at go games level but have met strong opposition. It’s not a simple fix

[SearingDrive]

Kudos to Tullamore for getting second team to A q final. Not sure Tullamore were always strong with current u17s. Current U18 and U16 groups were always strong but u17 group this year are young and rely on lots of u16s.

Manchans should be comfortable favourites given how many they had on Co minor team this year. Think 6 played in one championship game for Offaly this year and they had more unused on panel.

Have to ask questions re Na Fianna. Is there something in water out there. Huge talent has gone through that underage club and they have had huge nos in primary schools and were always strong in u13 level, but often disimprove significantly as they get older. Noticed this pattern over many years. Many of their adult clubs are underachieving too when you consider numbers with all in either junior or inter level level football, which is 3rd and 4th tier stuff - ie Old Junior A and Junior B level. It is quite simply staggering when you compare that St Vincent's can have a senior A (Ballycommon) club and two strong senior B clubs (Daingean Cappincur) with Kilclonfert (junior) in comparison with smaller numbers.

Maybe likes of Clodiagh Gaels and Ballinagar/Raheen amalgamations (and Offaly) would be better served to go on their own at underage as they seem to have the nos based on go games and primary schools numbers. Way too many players get lost in this area I'd feel for whatever reason - and all four clubs are losing out in longer run in terms of player development when only 15 players from the 4 clubs are only getting to play minor level football consistently. With Na Fianna numbers, they should have 2 teams at every grade in football.

You could make similar point re St Vincent's and St Manchans, albeit Manchans wouldnt have nos as big. The likes of Doon, Tubber Ballycumber and Tubber would all be better served with underage teams as Ballycumber Tubber amalgamation and DER Gaels amalgamations playing in B where possible than with a 4 club amalgamation in A where only a fraction of a clubs players get meaningful game time for develpment at underage, with many giving up too soon and never making adult level. If and when a year group don't have a team, then is when that group only should join for 4 club amalgamation. If clubs were really interested in development of their club, then that is what they'd be pushing for from their respective areas from within around 4 club amalgamation. Daingean seem to have taken bull by horns with their mini maroons initiative, and Offaly are encouraging clubs to put own teams into gogames where possible but there seems to be some short sighted thinking and a bit of a lack of strategic thinking in some of these areas.... Might be resistance or political avoidance on this but the sooner adults realise the more young lads you can keep playing for longer, the stronger their own clubs and indeed Offaly will be as a result.

Na Fianna have separate under age clubs, football mostly in the Ballinagar/ Raheen areas, while Clodiagh Gaels are mainly hurling, based in Killeigh/ Killurin.
Ideally there should be one underage club, but there is none at present.

[jimbob17]

This Tullamore U17 group won U 15 2yrs ago and u 13 2 yrs before that. They would have always been ahead of Manchans well ahead . Manchans have gained ground for sure . Tullamore The majority of their second team are U16 whereas there are probably only 5 u 16 on the A team . Just because Manchans had 6 lads on the panel dosent mean they are clear favs.
Shamrocks are a decent side too and won’t fear St Manchans at all in the quarter final

OK, fair enough. Was that last year's tullamore minor group then that were weaker than previous? Their u16s are a serious outfit with a couple of Co senior potential let alone club senior potential.

Good to see others have closed gap to Tullamore then at u17. It is healthy to have genuine competition for honours and with all going to u18 next year, all will have another go at minor next year.

Hadn't realised Na Fianna underage hurling and football were separate clubs. Makes no sense when dealing with same players. Either way, the football end is definitely falling short given their pick. Not sure I'd say that about the hurling as not too many from Raheen or Ballinagar would hurl much. There would be plenty in Clodiagh Gaels that'd play football though at underage for Na Fianna and few from Killurin too even if they'd lean more towards hurling. Damien White will be big loss to C Gaels out there with what he did in Killeigh school in getting them started.

[Fear Uibh]

How do we think the minor semi finals will go this weekend folks? from a St Manchans point of view i think they have it all to do against a strong Tullamore team, the last day out again Shamrocks it was nip and tuck for the most part, Shamrocks were a bigger team with some good young lads, but St Manchans kicked 4 of the last 5 scores to win by 2 in the end. a lot of Doon boys (7)on this team and wearing my Doon hat i'd be hoping that if St Manchan's were to win this it would have a similar knock on effect that Na Fianna winning it in 2019 did for Ballinagar as i think they had 7-8 boys that won the championship that year.

[The big hill]

Ferbane have always been a bogey team for Tullamore in this age group as they are the only ones to beat them with a full squad. Ferbane are still a strong side and the winner of this game will likely go onto win the final but as said above Ferbane have it all to do.

Manchans have only really appeared in this age group this season despite having a significant number of underage players. Id like to think that this game would be close to a 50/50.

[del]

Tullamore hammered Ferbane 2 yrs ago in the semi final at u 15 and and in the Feile final Ferbane had a full team when the stakes were highest so while Ferbane are very good they are no bogey team . I’d fancy Rhode to beat Ferbane Ferbane don’t have a player to stop Cian Mcnamee and looking at St Manchans vs Tullamore it’s gonna be a very tight match St Manchans have improved a lot . But will still fancy Tullamore just
It’s the 4 best teams and on their any of them could win so any predictions come with a health warning

[The big hill]

Tullamore vs Ferbane final. Very expected great to see Ferbane finally mount the hill and make the final. These teams played already with Ferbane winning despite Tullamore being short a few

[del]

Good semi final between St Manchans and Tullamore
Tullamore just had too much for St Manchans and got their scores easier .St Manchans depended a lot on Colin Egan who is a fine player.
Should be a good final against Ferbane as has been pointed out Ferbane bet Tullamore in the group game. But I believe one of Ferbanes best forwards got a straight red in the first 20 mins so will miss the final reds don’t get overturned unless there is clear video evidence which is a pity for the young lad to be missing a final
Ferbane and Tullamore also meet in the A hurling semi final next Saturday
Fair play to both clubs giving hurling and football a good rattle

[frankthetank]

Tullamore have already won the U13 and U15 A championships in football this year. Plus the U15 seconds competition. I presume they will win the minor.

Plus whatever they won last year.

Benath that, seemingly Scoil Eoin Pol in the town doninate Cumann na mBunscol football.

This underage dominance won’t stop soon.

Surely someone somewhere in the county board has mentioned something about a 2nd club needed in the town.

[The big hill]

No talk about K/K splitting

If that move were to happen it would involve more pitches being used. It would likely have a negative impact on the hurling as they have less players than the footballers

[del]

So the solution to Tullamore and KkS dominance is to form a new club in Tullamore when there already is on in B/D there is an agreement in place that kids from the town if they wish to play with B/D there’s no issue as it’s the same parish.
Tullamore have there structures coaches S&c etc all in place the last 7/8 yrs Kk a bit longer than Tullamore . It’s time other other clubs start looking at themselves and stop blaming Tullamore and Kk or getting the county board to do something . Do it yerselves talk to Tullamore talk to KK ask them what have they done .
Not too long ago Tullamore were in B and losing in quarter finals at underage so it not always a given it’s down to hard work

[jimbob17]

So the solution to Tullamore and KkS dominance is to form a new club in Tullamore when there already is on in B/D there is an agreement in place that kids from the town if they wish to play with B/D there’s no issue as it’s the same parish.
Tullamore have there structures coaches S&c etc all in place the last 7/8 yrs Kk a bit longer than Tullamore . It’s time other other clubs start looking at themselves and stop blaming Tullamore and Kk or getting the county board to do something . Do it yerselves talk to Tullamore talk to KK ask them what have they done .
Not too long ago Tullamore were in B and losing in quarter finals at underage so it not always a given it’s down to hard work

Couldnt agree more. GAA in Tullamore was losing out to soccer and rugby not all that long ago. They were a mess in underage football and hurling and not making A finals, were in B in all hurling grades and some football grades. They got their underage in order by getting maybe 10-15 really good GAA people involved with a chunk of these still involved at adult and U20 level. They got their stuff together, developed a gym and got the young lads engaged with S&C from a young age and spending money wisely on games development in primary schools coaching and development to catch them early. Their success was nothing to do with being a big club with big numbers. Their hurling side has improved hugely too because of this development reaching a good few co underage hurling finals in recent years. In meantime soccer and rugby have lost the power they once had in the hearts of the youngsters because the GAA are doing things really well. Tullamore are a relatively big club but in comparison to say the likes of amalgamation clubs like Vincents and Na Fianna, they wouldnt have as many numbers playing at the youngest ages. Tullamore just look after their players better, lose less players by putting in B teams in competitions when they can in a way that serves them best, and keep lads going through underage.

Some of the clubs in the likes of the amalgamated clubs maybe need to look at how their underage super clubs are run in terms of serving them in terms of bringing players through. The likes of Na Fianna and others have massive numbers at Go Games level for years but by the time they reach minor, they have lost a lot more than half their players and the adult clubs in these areas pay the price. I know Bord Na nOg were trying to get some of these adult clubs to take some ownership of their own player development where adult clubs would enter go games teams on their own at the youngest levels but to date, adult clubs have not taken up the offer and have left all development responsibility to the amalgamation club. This is not serving Offaly well, but more importantly, it is not serving the smaller clubs of these areas well in long term.

These clubs are better off having their younger talent playing in B level with maybe 2 clubs joining and getting 10 lads through to adult level than trying to win an A championship with a 4 club super amalgamation where only 3 or 4 lads from their club see game time through development years and make it through to adult level. The second level schools and development squads can fill the role of the higher end development opportunities in terms of getting higher grade of football. This has been an issue for a good few years now and young players who could play a bit, stop playing because they dont get a chance to play in a 4 club amalgamated team like they would in a two club team - look at the impact it has had on the St Manchans clubs at adult level with Ballycumber, Tubber Erin Rovers and Doon falling down pecking order. They were way better served by the Ballycumber Tubber, and DER Gaels amalgamations but some out there thought winning a minor A championship (that they never won) with a 4 club super amalgamation was the way forward and more important than adult club development or even survival.

The demographics will show that this is a major issue, particularly in clubs around Tullamore. Ideally, the likes of St Vincents and Na Fianna could split in two in some ages so that lads can get game time and all of the adult clubs in these areas would be way better off for it longer term. If the adult clubs are serious about improving, these are the things they need to be looking at. There are big numbers in some of the primary schools in these areas and it wouldnt take a lot for adult clubs to sort it out if they really wanted to try and get up to the likes of Tullamore and KK. Not doing so means they are actually cutting their own throats.

Going back to Tullamore, Cappincur comes right into the edge of town, as does Shamrocks coming right into Charleville on other side, Killeigh parish comes in very close too and Ballinamere Durrow wraps town on the other side and is part of Tullamore parish. Tullamore are not doing well because of the numbers they have. They are doing well because they take ownership in minding the ones they do have with good people and good structures in place to ensure they develop. I am fairly sure it is the same in Kilcormac. Maybe other adult clubs could learn something from that.