Offaly Senior Hurlers 2025

[Superhans75]

I can't say because I was a cross the border
But will be I tulllamore against
Galway
But Dublin is a shit hole
If you. Had kids and such.
Also even. The elderly
Not going to get in to an argument

[Glendassaun]

Parnell Park has a capacity of 7,500 with an attendance of just over 5,200 present last night, of which I would argue the majority of the crowd was from Offaly, at worst 50/50.

We’re all aware of the discrepancies between the attendances at senior and U20 games over the past number of seasons, the argument at the time being that we were playing Joe Mc Donagh instead of Liam Mc Carthy.

I was a little disappointed that we hadn’t a few more travelling last night, but the cost factor can be restrictive for many, especially considering our recent form in both codes with multiple finals attended already this season, as well as the minor and u20 games.

HOWEVER… it’s vital that we pack as many supporters into OCP as possible this coming weekend. Bring megaphones if necessary, draw attention to the persistent fouling of Duignan and Kelly ahead of the game to plant a seed in the officials minds.

We all know the code “He who shouts loudest wins the free”. Officials are human, and we’ve gotten multiple decisions over the past few years at U20 and minor level due to our boisterous fans. So with that in mind, let’s make a push to get a serious crowd into OCP.

It’s time we convert our underage following and get the bandwagon moving.

[SearingDrive]

Parnell Park has a capacity of 7,500 with an attendance of just over 5,200 present last night, of which I would argue the majority of the crowd was from Offaly, at worst 50/50.

We’re all aware of the discrepancies between the attendances at senior and U20 games over the past number of seasons, the argument at the time being that we were playing Joe Mc Donagh instead of Liam Mc Carthy.

I was a little disappointed that we hadn’t a few more travelling last night, but the cost factor can be restrictive for many, especially considering our recent form in both codes with multiple finals attended already this season, as well as the minor and u20 games.

HOWEVER… it’s vital that we pack as many supporters into OCP as possible this coming weekend. Bring megaphones if necessary, draw attention to the persistent fouling of Duignan and Kelly ahead of the game to plant a seed in the officials minds.

We all know the code “He who shouts loudest wins the free”. Officials are human, and we’ve gotten multiple decisions over the past few years at U20 and minor level due to our boisterous fans. So with that in mind, let’s make a push to get a serious crowd into OCP.

It’s time we convert our underage following and get the bandwagon moving.

I did not travel last night, for my own reasons. I hope to make the Galway match next weekend. I kept in touch via the radio commentary, It seems Offaly played extremely well, but Dublin’s late effort got them over the line.

I find it hard to get concerned about potential fouls on Offaly players ahead of the next game.
The Dublin match is over, we don’t know who the referee is for the Galway game.
It will be a tough game, expect Galway to target a win.

[Glendassaun]

If the fouling of Duignan or Kelly is as a once off singular event I wouldn’t be concerned. But it’s not a once off. I know more physical players struggle to win the easy frees that a smaller player would win, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not being fouled, it’s just they’re better equipped at dealing with such treatment. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be highlighted.

[frankthetank]

You could be nothing but proud of our hurlers leaving Parnell Park on Saturday. They absolutely gave it everything they had and really emptied the tank but just came up short. Overall I felt Dublin were very marginally the better team and just their more extended physical development and greater experience got them over the line.

For me, Dublin are now clearly the 2nd best team in Leinster. They know what they are about and when they get their running game going with support runners coming off shoulders they are very threatening. I was really impressed with the Hayes guy in midfield and his brother made a big impact off the bench. Their greater squad depth told as some of their subs made telling impacts. Conversely for Offaly only Colin Spain made any real contribution for us and in hindsight removing Charlie Mitchell might not have been the best decision. He scored a fantastic point in the 1st half and set up Killian for the goal. He was out in front and showing for the ball. It might not have stuck all the time but I don’t know if a tight physically challenging game like that suited Eoghan Cahill. Shane Rigney and Adam Screeney would be a huge boost to our squad depth in the forward line.

We also got incredibly predictable on our puckouts in the 2nd half for a 20 minute spell where everything was launched on Oisin Kelly (he had a superb game). We struggled badly at times in this regard as Dublin mopped up all the breaking ball.

With regards to the crowd I don’t agree that is was 50/50. For me I’d say it was about 70/30 in favour of Dublin and even then I’m being generous. They made some noise when they scored the goal. (Which was a a schoolboy error of 2 defenders going for the one high ball).

Onto Galway on Saturday. A small opportunity beckons but I fear a Galway backlash after an anemic performance vs Kilkenny. If we lose that we can start thinking long term towards the Antrim game and hopefully the mistakes of group stage 2018 won’t be repeated. However a win puts up right in the shake up for a Top 3 finish and an outside shot of a Leinster Final. As many have stated hopefully a big crowd gets out to support.

Finally kudos to the Leinster Council on their pricing structure. €15 to see a Leinster senior hurling championship game is fantastic value.

[chimbonda]

A positive performance but I feel a key reason for our defeat was our failure to retain possession from our own puckouts in the last 20 minutes. Dublin hit some poor wides but we were unable to take advantage as we were handing possession straight back to them from the resulting puckout.

[frankthetank]

A positive performance but I feel a key reason for our defeat was our failure to retain possession from our own puckouts in the last 20 minutes. Dublin hit some poor wides but we were unable to take advantage as we were handing possession straight back to them from the resulting puckout.

Totally agree. We really struggled on our own puckout during this period.

[greenairfield]

This has came up here before and there is no doubt M Troy is a very good shot stopper but we really need to realise his puck outs aren't up too it.

He couldn't go short or didn't want too and his hanging puck outs that travelled 70 yards weren't long enough and put us under immense pressure it was prob the turning point of the game.

Hoare would of been able to go longer and I think we would of held on for the win.

[frankthetank]

Outfield players unable to win puckouts and breaking ball isn’t always the keepers fault.

Troy made some fantastic saves.

I do see you’re point regarding Liam Hoare though. Not in full agreement but worth a discussion all the same.

[faithfulfanatic]

This has came up here before and there is no doubt M Troy is a very good shot stopper but we really need to realise his puck outs aren't up too it.

He couldn't go short or didn't want too and his hanging puck outs that travelled 70 yards weren't long enough and put us under immense pressure it was prob the turning point of the game.

Hoare would of been able to go longer and I think we would of held on for the win.

Hoare only has one setting: as far as possible

Pucked a handful of puckouts over the sideline against Galway in the u20.
And would not have made the saves Mark Troy has made this year, not many keepers would

[greenairfield]

That setting may be very important one

[SearingDrive]

You could be nothing but proud of our hurlers leaving Parnell Park on Saturday. They absolutely gave it everything they had and really emptied the tank but just came up short. Overall I felt Dublin were very marginally the better team and just their more extended physical development and greater experience got them over the line.

For me, Dublin are now clearly the 2nd best team in Leinster. They know what they are about and when they get their running game going with support runners coming off shoulders they are very threatening. I was really impressed with the Hayes guy in midfield and his brother made a big impact off the bench. Their greater squad depth told as some of their subs made telling impacts. Conversely for Offaly only Colin Spain made any real contribution for us and in hindsight removing Charlie Mitchell might not have been the best decision. He scored a fantastic point in the 1st half and set up Killian for the goal. He was out in front and showing for the ball. It might not have stuck all the time but I don’t know if a tight physically challenging game like that suited Eoghan Cahill. Shane Rigney and Adam Screeney would be a huge boost to our squad depth in the forward line.

We also got incredibly predictable on our puckouts in the 2nd half for a 20 minute spell where everything was launched on Oisin Kelly (he had a superb game). We struggled badly at times in this regard as Dublin mopped up all the breaking ball.

With regards to the crowd I don’t agree that is was 50/50. For me I’d say it was about 70/30 in favour of Dublin and even then I’m being generous. They made some noise when they scored the goal. (Which was a a schoolboy error of 2 defenders going for the one high ball).

Onto Galway on Saturday. A small opportunity beckons but I fear a Galway backlash after an anemic performance vs Kilkenny. If we lose that we can start thinking long term towards the Antrim game and hopefully the mistakes of group stage 2018 won’t be repeated. However a win puts up right in the shake up for a Top 3 finish and an outside shot of a Leinster Final. As many have stated hopefully a big crowd gets out to support.

Finally kudos to the Leinster Council on their pricing structure. €15 to see a Leinster senior hurling championship game is fantastic value.

I think you could be right about a Galway backlash. They were very poor v Kilkenny.

[Glendassaun]

Undoubtedly from the perspective of a Galway player they’re feeling a sense of hurt following last weekends performance. What’s perhaps more hurtful is the Galway publics opinions and comments which are questioning individuals fight, conviction and determination.

As a consequence it’s highly likely that a more fired up Galway will arrive in Tullamore on Saturday evening, assuming of course that there’s a unified front within the Galway team, something which is being called into question by some in Galway, but we have to assume the former will be the case.

Are Galway at the level they set for themselves between 2012 and 2020? Objectively they’re not. Are they capable of performing to a level that makes it difficult for us to live with currently? Probably so. Galway have lacked a consistency since 2017/18 and that’s one element of what makes Saturday night such a difficult assignment.

From our own perspective, as a supporter last Saturday evenings result hurt, and undoubtedly the players themselves will have been hurt by the outcome. But equally, they’ll have renewed determination to finish the job against Galway provided our heads are in the right place and we find ourselves with a chance of winning.

All in all, it points towards a cracker of a game once again.

[Fairplayalways]

couldnt make the game on Saturday, was driving so listened to it on radio, having watched two games V Waterford, while we are certainly making progress, I think the pace of where we are coming from (and going as in Leinster hurling championship) is going to take time to adjust to. Alot of rooting an mis rising the ball at times where our opposition seem to just get it to hand a bit faster and cleaner...another adjusting I think is the physical side, and while we have a good sprinkling of big players (well big enough) I think it takes the energy out of us and we tire on the final mile home, and opposition seem to look that bit "fresher" as thy go over the finish line. Not sure whats going on with young Screeney, he played a bit U20 a feq weeks ago and no sign of him at all Saturday..again as skilfull as he is Ide fear for him in physical stakes for now. I was looking at Darragh McCarthy for Tipp yesterday and he looked very much at home in his surrounds, what a talent he is and looks like he will be...I see a a few still on abut Troy/Hoare goalkeeper thing, Troy for me, as of now has to be in, his saves are something else, the other side of course is that if your goalkeeper is saving you week in week out there are other issues going on further out field. It reminded me of the David Hughes/Liam Coughlan debate back in the early 1990s, the debate then if I remember right, was Coughlan was a better shot stopper (and he was great keeper) but his puck outs were not strong enough, Hughes had a massive puckout and could direct them pretty good too (and he was a good stopper too regardless of his bat out to Eamonn Taffe of Clare in 1995 All Ireland...some of the greatest of keepers have made basic mistakes..THe Galway game?..Galway are a team that I honestly think have not got the physique over all for alll their years at the top table of hurling, it all looks good charging out of the tunnel and once the game gets physical and heat of battle their physique is noticeably not comparable to their opposition, Kilkenny without TJ Reid won pulling up against them at weekend, going on that and how well we hurled, I think we have a great chance against them...yes they might be wounded abit but no point coming out every 2nd or third game with all guns blazing and lying down quietly in the intervening games...I honestly think Offaly could get a result against them next Saturday..Kiely needs to be back in that team somewhere, probably defence but then who misses out there as a result?..Centre forward maybe, he is a mighty ball winner and likes to run at teams too and with decent forwards around him it could work maybe too..

[Gobbler]

one thing I thought from the second half was that our backline lost its shape badly in those last 10 minutes or so. Very similar to the KK na fianna game. Kiely has a huge amount to offer but maybe around half forward or even full forward at that stage of game with his size and power.

obviously options limited in defence but ideally id prefer to see ter Guinan (when available) coming on at half back for his pace.

James Mahon also very good if we are smart enough with match ups at that stage of game.

I just thought dublin like na fianna found more space late in the game and maybe that's an area management need to look at.