Offaly U20 Hurlers 2025

[frankthetank]

Leinster Draw:

Tier 1:
Group 1: Offaly, Galway, Laois
Group 2: Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford

Tier 2:
Group 1: Carlow, Kerry, Kildare
Group 2: Westmeath, Meath, Ulster

Same format as last year.

So from an Offaly perspective, if we win the group we are into a semi-final. If we come 2nd we are into a Q-Final and come 3rd we are into a preliminary Q-Final.

In an ideal scenario, we win our group to lessen the workload on the players as some of them are going to have a lot of games in a condensed period.

Also, it would probably be no harm to avoid the other group winners until a possible Leinster Final. It shouldn’t be forgotten we kind of fell over the line vs Kilkenny this year with a Liam Hoare penalty save and also a shot crashing off the crossbar.

[Plain of the Herbs]

Tough draw. The group is okay. But a potential knockout quarter-final and semi-final against any of the group 2 teams would be at an away venue, Offaly having last played Dublin (2023) Kilkenny (2024) and Wexford (2019) at home.

But look, it's all to play for at this early stage.

[Bord na Mona man]

Also, it would probably be no harm to avoid the other group winners until a possible Leinster Final. It shouldn’t be forgotten we kind of fell over the line vs Kilkenny this year with a Liam Hoare penalty save and also a shot crashing off the crossbar.

Let's not fall into that trap. Flip the teams, keep the circumstances.

If Offaly had lost like Kilkenny did - penalty saved, bar hit, and a tactical meltdown in the last 20 minutes.
It would be because Kilkenny have tradition, hurling smarts, DNA, X-Factor, are cuter.
And in a tight finish, a Kilkenny fella would not have fluffed a penalty, duffed a gimme free wide, or hit the bar, like those Offaly lads did.

When the smaller team wins a tight match, they have luck on their side. But when they lose it's because they're inadequate.

[Glendassaun]

Irrespective of the draw we should enter the year brimming with confidence. We’re the side aiming for three in a row, we’re the reigning All Ireland champions. We shouldn’t have fear, but a healthy respect for all opponents we face along what will hopefully be another journey.

Regarding an away quarter or semi final, so be it, I don’t think we have any fear of playing in Nowlan, Wexford or Parnell Park (other than the fact Parnell Park is a terrible terrible venue both for players and supporters). But hey, another great day out with a serious support no doubt.

I agree, avoiding a quarter final is more beneficial this year given the work loads on those playing senior and U20. The main thing is to strike the balance, get any injuries clear heading into the season, and face the new year with confidence. No other team in the competition has the experience we have.

It’s most important that we enjoy this group in their last year of underage hurling. They’ve already given us some of the best days of our sporting lives, so let’s ensure where possible we all do our little bit to give these lads the send off into adult hurling they deserve. Bring on the first round.

[Plain of the Herbs]

I don't know where to post this, but I see Birr CS beat Naas CBS 3-17 to 3-14 earlier today in the Leinster B quarter-final. No further details at the moment (I suppose our dear local paper will have it), but good to see Birr get a win over Naas, who are on a crest of a hurling wave in Kildare right now.

The win puts Birr into a semi-final. Elsewhere, Castlecomer play Wexford CBS in another quarter-final tomorrow, while as far as I can make out Mountrath, Mullingar CBS And Enniscorthy CBS are still in the competition.

[Buttons]

I see Offaly are away to Galway in the Duggan, ballinasloe on 5th April so probably have the home game vs Laois.

[The big hill]

I don't know where to post this, but I see Birr CS beat Naas CBS 3-17 to 3-14 earlier today in the Leinster B quarter-final. No further details at the moment (I suppose our dear local paper will have it), but good to see Birr get a win over Naas, who are on a crest of a hurling wave in Kildare right now.

The win puts Birr into a semi-final. Elsewhere, Castlecomer play Wexford CBS in another quarter-final tomorrow, while as far as I can make out Mountrath, Mullingar CBS And Enniscorthy CBS are still in the competition.

CNC also in a north leinster semi against St Pats Navan. Winners will play the other meath team Boyne CS in the final

Mercy school kilbeggan (not sure if there is an offaly contingent) also in a north leinster D final against st peters dunboyne .

[Plain of the Herbs]

Ah, Ballinasloe's grand. Easier get there than the Leinster venues. That'll be a great occasion actually - Galway don't get many home matches in the underage grades.

I see Offaly are away to Galway in the Duggan, ballinasloe on 5th April so probably have the home game vs Laois.

[Hanksteel]

Possibility for Donal Shirley to set sail from Brosna gaels alongside two other colleagues from tubber also

[Faithfully]

Possibility for Donal Shirley to set sail from Brosna gaels alongside two other colleagues from tubber also

Tubber not in the same parish as the other Brosna Gaels and playing with permission... so can they just walk away? Do they all have to row in with Clara or can they pick and choose their hurling club?

[jimbob17]

If this is happening and know or heard nothing about it, the obvious solution for him would be to go to Ballinamere? It is close and they are a good senior team with potential, where he'd know half of them already..... but main point would be they are a hurling only club. I think that would mean he could still play senior football with his own club Tubber and hurl with Ballinamere as permission player. Joining a dual club, Clara or KK for examples, would mean he'd have to play both football and hurling with Clara / kk. Given Tubber would not want to lose him, they might be agreeable to facilitating that switch? Not sure of rules on this. Maybe someone could clarify...

[private joker]

Hard to know if he'll leave. Can he just pick any club he likes? Does he need a connection to the club? Dad is from clara but as stated he'd have to leave Tubber if he went to a duel club. Are ballinamere not also ballinamere/Durrow? Are they viewed as separate entity's? I know at underage they are viewed as one club.

[brosna]

If everyone who left brosna Gaels (and their home football clubs) to hurl at a higher level stayed with brosna Gaels they’d have a competitive senior b team in their own right

[Hanksteel]

With a bit of luck

[faithfulfanatic]

I had heard a while back Shirley was off to the current Leinster champions Na Fianna, who are only a stones throw from DCU where he is in college.

Any truth to that?