Offaly Senior Footballers 2025

[Cheddar]

Ok very good I must say. Apart from the 10 minute period in the 2nd quarter, where Sligo got 4 or 5 in a row, we were impressive. The new rules suit us and it allowed for some lovely football through the lines. Different to our previous tactic of pass around the 45 for 5 minutes before having some attempt at a shot.

Dunican was impressive as the 12th man, and really found a beautiful position for Ruairí’s goal. Defending was good and we never allowed much of a goal chance for Sligo. Midfield was decent and Burke was very good when he came on.

On we go to Portlaoise. We won well in the summer and we can beat them again.

[jimbob17]

Great win and start to the league hope some will get off Declan Kelly's and Mickey Harte's back with this win. it's a while since offaly had a big win like this .keep her lit for Leix next weekend.

I won't lie, I was hesitant re chances when I saw team at first - not necessarily personnel but the positioning of some players. But it was a super win in the end. Took off in second half and full value for win - best league win in couple of years id say.

That said, lots of commenters on here have best interest of Offaly at heart when commenting and know their football, are fair and balanced and are entitled to opinion. I still don't understand how Farrell doesn't make a 26 if fit, despite today's win.

My read on today was that we started well but after that we were at sixes and sevens for spells and were lucky to be only 2 behind at HT, despite both sides missing couple of chances. Sligo dominated middle for most of 1st half and the half time intro of Bourke made a big impact on kickouts. Dalton was lost in first half and Hayes going back to 6 worked out and helped us.

Obviously, Sligo were without couple of Strandhill lads and Niall Murphy only playing last 20 mins was a help to us too.

Early in 2nd half, Sligo had loads of chances and they'd be fierce disappointed with their shooting and option taking. In our favour,
D Egan nullified his man on kickouts in 2nd half also and we got edge in middle on kickouts, picking up lots of breaks from about 10 mins through second half and pushed on from there with lots of positive play.

Dunican totally outplayed his opposite man too. He kicked two and made big use of 12 v 11 situations whereas their gk coughed up two scores on delaying and offered nothing when he went upfield to help attack - just standing inside the half way line.

Keith O'Neil was outstanding today and Hyland in 2nd half really got going. We had much better football skills and game understanding than Sligo, while I'd feel they were a bit more physical and athletic generally, but never made that count and they were very slow and hesitant to move ball forward quickly, and that suited us. Cormac egan had great 2nd half too, as did R Egan, while Flynn and McNamee got on lots of ball, especially in 2nd half.

We really took game to them and got the rewards for that. Dunne and Tierney both got on scoreboard when introduced so that's good for competition. Bryant had chances he didn't take but he was there showing for ball at least. Sawyer did OK also but didn't appear very threatening outside of one play in 2nd half.

You'd imagine Bourke will start next day and it'll be close to what played the 2nd half that'll start, injury permitting. Hopefully we can push on now for Laois and get another few points on board and be looking up rather than down the table at halfway point. Well done to all.

[One Time]

Cian Farrell named on the bench in the match program. Aidan Bracken at 6. Dalton at 5. Different to the social media post.

Is Farrell there? Surely you’d see him among the subs?

Don’t think anyone predicted that, been a while since offaly hit 20 points in January?

I've been sayin since the end of last year that we would benefit from how declan kelly did things last year, with a little bit better luck they could have been in the push for promotion last year, Kelly got rid of deadwood and lads that were controlling the dressing room and he bedded in young players. Big sentiment for lads that have played for Offaly for a long number of years and achieved very little and it was past time that we started building with a newer younger team, we saw the benefits of that today.. a lot of lads seemed to be unhappy with our league campaign last year and put no value on hammering laois in championship but I think we'll see the benefits of last year, this year. Too much emphasis placed on London and limerick games where the team didn't bother, there was uproar out of lads wanting to do a root and branch and offaly at its low point etc etc when they games clearly meant nothin and were simply not in anyway a reflection of where the team was and where the team was/Is.. the media will credit mickey harte but the foundations were laid last year by declan kelly who had the balls to lay down the law and do what he thought was best. A hugely successful manager who was very badly disrespected. Its sad to say but today will sicken a lot of whingers and know it alls on this forum.. now don't get me wrong we've achieved nothin yet but we put a few silly opinions about Offaly football to bed.. no doubt the narrative will now turn to how poor sligo were and it's only the first game and all that.

[Buttons]

Well done to all involved on a fantastic win, 2 points and a positive points difference should have this team full of confidence vs Laois.

Maybe as a county we are hard on the current players but looking at Sigerson cup we have a fair share of players that made teams.

At one stage they had to go with youth, some of these have been exposed to senior for quite a few years now, it’s been a while since scoring highly against similar opposition( not a relegation Wicklow).

From the interview after they mentioned Ed Cullen and Jack o brien injuries being 2-3 weeks away.

[Superhans75]

Great performance today hard to know what level Sligo are up to at the moment but didn't really threaten except for some poor kicking.
Next week is a different kettle of fish but we have the players to beat loais and hopefully the mentality.
Shame the game is a double header ok in July not February especially when your playing the same opponents
Enjoy the week

[Doon Exile]

Not going to repeat the finer details of what most have said above but was absolutely delighted with the performance today.

Roll on next week.

[Doon Exile]

Saw quite a few of the senior hurlers there today - Adam included. Great to see them out supporting the footballers and hopefully the footballers reciprocate it when it’s their turn.

[jimbob17]

Is Farrell there? Surely you’d see him among the subs?

Don’t think anyone predicted that, been a while since offaly hit 20 points in January?

I've been sayin since the end of last year that we would benefit from how declan kelly did things last year, with a little bit better luck they could have been in the push for promotion last year, Kelly got rid of deadwood and lads that were controlling the dressing room and he bedded in young players. Big sentiment for lads that have played for Offaly for a long number of years and achieved very little and it was past time that we started building with a newer younger team, we saw the benefits of that today.. a lot of lads seemed to be unhappy with our league campaign last year and put no value on hammering laois in championship but I think we'll see the benefits of last year, this year. Too much emphasis placed on London and limerick games where the team didn't bother, there was uproar out of lads wanting to do a root and branch and offaly at its low point etc etc when they games clearly meant nothin and were simply not in anyway a reflection of where the team was and where the team was/Is.. the media will credit mickey harte but the foundations were laid last year by declan kelly who had the balls to lay down the law and do what he thought was best. A hugely successful manager who was very badly disrespected. Its sad to say but today will sicken a lot of whingers and know it alls on this forum.. now don't get me wrong we've achieved nothin yet but we put a few silly opinions about Offaly football to bed.. no doubt the narrative will now turn to how poor sligo were and it's only the first game and all that.

I wouldn't be jumping the gun saying there is anything put to bed based on one game. The success of the current regime will be judged rightly at the end of the year. Today was great. Let's hope it wasn't a sporadic spike. It needs to be backed up now with good performances. A decent showing will be making it into top 4 in league. 5th is acceptable given the youth but for me, getting relegated or barely avoiding it is a step back.

All games appear winnable bar maybe Kildare who beat Fermanagh well. Antrim beating Clare makes our games v those teams crucial now. We won't fear Laois, Fermanagh or Leitrim and I'd be hopeful we can pick up 6 pts at least after today's performance.

Beyond that, the priority needs to be the championship and that is getting into Sam Maguire in next year or two, either through league, reaching Leinster Final (hard done) or by doing well in Tailteann Cup.

Everyone here wants to see Offaly do well, irrespective of who the manager is. DK deserves a fair shot after his u20 success, but I wouldn't call any lad a whinger or having a silly opinion for taking issue with being beat by London by 14 pts. In fact I'd say there'd be something wrong from Co board perspective if there was no issue with that and maybe that is why Mickey Harte was brought in. You are very myopic in your thinking if suggesting the championship last year didn't matter and quite disrespectful to players efforts if suggesting they didn't care. They did care about T Cup last year. I know a good few of them and they've said as much. But it's a new year, new group and hopefully a renewed energy with some better results.

Harte brings massive experience to the table and Kelly should know the lie of land of what's there player wise in the county. Let's hope that between them and the players, that they push on now and back up today's good display with more good performances.

[pigeon house biffo]

Not sure if anyone caught the Harte interview on M103 after the game but he alluded to an incident during the week that suggested someone had died or something serious had occurred, any idea what happened (obv no need to divulge names or specifics, just thought it’d have been in the news or Offaly GAA socials if it affected a player)

[Offaly Hero]

Is Bill Carroll involved with the inter county set up this year?

[Faithful Future]

Credit where credit is due. A great second half performance today.

Having an inside line of Hyland, O'Neill and Bryant can cause trouble at this level.

No doubt there will be ups and downs over the coming weeks but all we can do is focus on the next game, a big one in Portlaoise.

Bourke from Tullamore looked comfortable at this level which is very impressive for a man of his age. He has a fantastic future ahead in the green white and gold.

[ryot]

Was not there but delighted with the result------
Great that the young lads enjoyed a good win and for you who asked about John Furlong, it was mentioned in the interview on Facebook with John Hackett that John F is injured and will be a few weeks before he and a few others mentioned will be back,

[SearingDrive]

Is Farrell there? Surely you’d see him among the subs?

Don’t think anyone predicted that, been a while since offaly hit 20 points in January?

I've been sayin since the end of last year that we would benefit from how declan kelly did things last year, with a little bit better luck they could have been in the push for promotion last year, Kelly got rid of deadwood and lads that were controlling the dressing room and he bedded in young players. Big sentiment for lads that have played for Offaly for a long number of years and achieved very little and it was past time that we started building with a newer younger team, we saw the benefits of that today.. a lot of lads seemed to be unhappy with our league campaign last year and put no value on hammering laois in championship but I think we'll see the benefits of last year, this year. Too much emphasis placed on London and limerick games where the team didn't bother, there was uproar out of lads wanting to do a root and branch and offaly at its low point etc etc when they games clearly meant nothin and were simply not in anyway a reflection of where the team was and where the team was/Is.. the media will credit mickey harte but the foundations were laid last year by declan kelly who had the balls to lay down the law and do what he thought was best. A hugely successful manager who was very badly disrespected. Its sad to say but today will sicken a lot of whingers and know it alls on this forum.. now don't get me wrong we've achieved nothin yet but we put a few silly opinions about Offaly football to bed.. no doubt the narrative will now turn to how poor sligo were and it's only the first game and all that.

It looks like Declan Kelly was proved correct, after yesterday. Well done to all, I would like to see us make a serious short for promotion. Shane Tierney came off the bench yesterday, good to have him involved.

[Tmacmahon]

A fantastic win yesterday in OCP, played with tremendous heart in the second half and that's particularly telling g because too often over the last few years we have downed tools when a bit of elbow grease was required.

Paddy Dunican was outstanding only bettered by the miraculous Keith o Neill, what a player

Hayes and mcevoy worked like dogs all afternoon and epitomised tge heart of the team

Hyland was good , flynn was busy and all players tried. I love cathal at 11 even when isn't playing well he is taking risks

Dunne was sharp when introduced,always is a scoring threat and I'd imagine it's an age thing but is clearly better than a few forwards, he'd wouldn't last a game so I understand Declan and Mickey

Tierney is a tricky customer and offers decent depth to the panel, he can be a good 10 minute man to offer something different

I'd love to see Cian farrell back but cian needs to start producing his club form with offaly, he is a talent no doubt

John Furlong, aidan Bracken, will strengthen the panel immensely

Furlong the top player in the County at present

[del]

Very surprised leaving o Connor pk yesterday didn’t see that coming and I don’t think the players did either but whatever has happened in the last 2 weeks it appears to have worked as things weren’t going well.
As other posters have said credit where credit is due and the starting 15 plus the few subs brought on deserve huge credit for the display and the MGT team too who I have been critical of and with justification after the worst results in our county’s history last year vs London that cannot be just brushed under the carpet .
Hopefully they get a few bodies back from injury soon cause some of the lads on the bench would really weaken the team.
It’s a pity about Cian Farrell a rare talent but for whatever reasons it’s not happening with Offaly I’m sure both sides think they are right here but nobody here can tell me Cian Farrell is not better than some of the forwards currently in there
But look he’s gone now so time to move on
Best of luck to players and MGT next Sunday