Club football 2025

[brosna]

As Jordan Hayes was running through on goals at the start of the second half if someone told you Edenderry were going to lose by 15 points you’d laugh.

Very flat display from Edenderry, they were bossed at midfield by Carroll and Grennan and never got into the match at all in the second half. It’s hard to know where they go from here.

Ferbane are in flying form and look to have a stronger panel than last two year. The bench had a big impact today.

Rhode Tullamore was a good game and ultimately the youth of Tullamore probably won it for them. They’ve lots to work on before the final but that’s not the worst position to be in.

It should be a cracker in two weeks time.

[jonsey]

Cillian Burke very lucky not to see red in 2nd semi final. Incident happened very close to terrace side sideline but no surprise that it wasn't spotted by linesman.

Yep, straight red all day long.

Whatever about the ref not seeing it, the linesman was about two feet away…

Yes terrible from the linesman, red card all day, ref let a lot go, i thought we would have a brawl, Burke should be suspended for the final, he was throwing himself around all day, maybe getting ready for aussie rules

[FullForward waster]

Cillian Burke very lucky not to see red in 2nd semi final. Incident happened very close to terrace side sideline but no surprise that it wasn't spotted by linesman.

Yep, straight red all day long.

Whatever about the ref not seeing it, the linesman was about two feet away…

Yes terrible from the linesman, red card all day, ref let a lot go, i thought we would have a brawl, Burke should be suspended for the final, he was throwing himself around all day, maybe getting ready for aussie rules

One would have to wonder how the linesman missed it. I have viewed the game on clubber again this morning. It is clear as day there was a striking offence and said linesman seemed to be looking right at it. If there was reviews in GAA with footage Bourke is gone no questions asked. But that's GAA and he will play the final and most certainly have an impact in the final. Roll on two weeks time this Final has the potential to be a cracker. Ferbane preform like yesterday and they win.

On another note maybe it was just me but McConway didn't seem to have much involvement on the line. Everything seemed to go through Rochford and Smith??

[Behindthegoal]

Every year has to be a new start. Of course you factor in past behaviour, but what I saw there tonight was undeniable. If Cian Farrell goes into the Offaly panel in 2026 and puts the same focus into it as he is doing with Edenderry right now, clearly taking the captaincy seriously, then he's probably not just an automatic starter, he's arguably our best player.

Points off left and right, winning his own ball, winning frees, very positive around his colleagues, and all while being effectively marked by decent players. Honestly, I can count on one hand the amount of Offaly footballers I've seen produce scoring displays like it in the last 25 years.

Now if January and February rolls around and he steps out of line, then so be it, straight red card from the panel is perfectly reasonable. But I genuinely believe that Cian Farrell makes Offaly a two or three point better team instantly.

Would like to revisit this. Any other posters at the time too. Kevin just wondering do you have something against Cian Johnson or is it because you are from Ferbane you don’t want to praise him? I found it very strange as did others I was watching the stream with that you proceeded to play him down after every score, "he’s not dominating the game at all" the man scored 1-8 I’ve never scored 1-8 in lunch time at school never mind a county semi final. Does Haaland dominate the game? Did David Clifford dominate the all Ireland final? No these poacher players don’t touch the ball an awful lot but when they do they make it count I thought Nigel was a lot more balanced on commentary saying the hardest thing to do is score and he’s exactly right if it was easy everyone would be doing it.

Just a few Ferbane men find it strange that you were waxing lyrical about Farrell over a performance against Durrow saying he would be offalys best player next year if he went in, he got 2 scores from play in games against the big teams this year Ferbane x2 and Rhode, he got roasted by Conor dunican yesterday never scored from play and you never mention that but want to put Johnson down for scoring 1-8 because he’s not dominating the game. The lad has had to deal with unbelievable hype since he was 18 had serious injuries and setbacks has got himself back to his best captain top scorer in the championship and steered Ferbane to another final I think your commentary on him yesterday was strange to say the least. Similar to the Ferbane / Edenderry debate this two Cian’s thing has never been a debate for me yesterday wasn’t the first or last time one of them stood up and the other was anonymous if there’s a big game in the morning I know which Cian I’d want in my team.

[Lone Shark]

Would like to revisit this. Any other posters at the time too. Kevin just wondering do you have something against Cian Johnson or is it because you are from Ferbane you don’t want to praise him? I found it very strange as did others I was watching the stream with that you proceeded to play him down after every score, "he’s not dominating the game at all" the man scored 1-8 I’ve never scored 1-8 in lunch time at school never mind a county semi final. Does Haaland dominate the game? Did David Clifford dominate the all Ireland final? No these poacher players don’t touch the ball an awful lot but when they do they make it count I thought Nigel was a lot more balanced on commentary saying the hardest thing to do is score and he’s exactly right if it was easy everyone would be doing it.

Just a few Ferbane men find it strange that you were waxing lyrical about Farrell over a performance against Durrow saying he would be offalys best player next year if he went in, he got 2 scores from play in games against the big teams this year Ferbane x2 and Rhode, he got roasted by Conor dunican yesterday never scored from play and you never mention that but want to put Johnson down for scoring 1-8 because he’s not dominating the game. The lad has had to deal with unbelievable hype since he was 18 had serious injuries and setbacks has got himself back to his best captain top scorer in the championship and steered Ferbane to another final I think your commentary on him yesterday was strange to say the least. Similar to the Ferbane / Edenderry debate this two Cian’s thing has never been a debate for me yesterday wasn’t the first or last time one of them stood up and the other was anonymous if there’s a big game in the morning I know which Cian I’d want in my team.

Not sure I agree with the characterisation of a lot of what was said there, but I'll take it bit by bit.

(1) I don't think Cian Johnson dominated that game yesterday. He scored 1-4 from play, with one wide and in a game where he had three goal chances. He's a very talented forward who 100% would be getting an invite into the Offaly panel if I was manager, with the caveat that he has a lot of ground to make up because he spent so long out of the game and not playing ball through different injuries. That's not a slight on him, it's incredibly hard for guys to get their conditioning to intercounty level when they haven't been in that environment. That said, absolutely he's someone I'd want in there in November and see how he goes from there. I think he'd have a bit of ground to cover to get to the point where you could confidently put him down on an Offaly teamsheet and know that he'll give you 70 minutes, but there is more than enough raw material there to justify his inclusion in a winter panel of 40+, and in that environment, it'll soon become obvious whether he's going to be able to step up or not.

(2) That being said, I wouldn't say I was talking him down in commentary. I'll say again he didn't dominate the game, for two reasons - one, because he wasn't prominent until Seán Pender went off with an injury in the second half, and two because Cathal Flynn put in as good an individual performance as we've seen in the county this year from any player.

Flynn was dominating the game in a way that I've rarely seen, and that was up against Lee Pearson. He was marking an Offaly captain and he absolutely dictated that game in an incredible performance, as good as I've seen him play. I would say David Nally, Brian Carroll, Conor Dunican and Kevin Nugent all had huge games as well, with a handful more - including Johnson - putting in solid shifts, but that game was all about Cathal Flynn running the show.

I understand that in the modern era of social media and short-clip-dominated content, the money is in going to extremes. Everything is a crisis, everything is fantastic, a player was unbelievable, a player was terrible. We live in this binary, brainless world where nobody hears nuance or middle ground any more, they want black or white, good or bad, yes or no.

Maybe it's because I'm older, maybe it's because I'm cranky and not moving with the times, but for whatever reason, I reject that way of writing, of commentating, of thinking. The world exists in the grey area, not in black or white. I'm happy to say that Cian Johnson in 2025 is playing the best football he has played for several seasons, but that he has a lot of ground to make up to come anywhere close to fulfilling his potential. But somehow, trying to show that balance leads to a question like this:

do you have something against Cian Johnson

(3) I agree that the Johnson vs Farrell thing is nonsense, it just came about because they were two forwards who came along at the same time, with the same first name. They should be assessed and measured independently, not in relation to each other. Now as for Cian Farrell, yes, I was hugely impressed with him against Durrow. I've said all along, as you've quoted, that I think 2026 should be a new start, and he should be brought in on the same terms as any other player. If he acts up or falls out of line, cut him - but don't rule him out because of something he did a few years ago.

I do think he's farther down the line than CJ, both in terms of physical prep. He also has more senior football played, he impressed at Sigerson level, he has played more senior county football, and I think he's slightly more suited to the modern game. These are real considerations. CF is a two-point threat, CJ isn't. CF can win his own high ball and is strong in the tackle, CJ isn't. The flip side of that is that CJ is for me, a player with better vision, and a better goalscorer. But in terms of the modern intercounty game, I think CF is more suited to where the game has gone, notwithstanding the concerns about his past behaviour.

(4) CJ was much better than CF yesterday, and you are 100% right - Conor Dunican had a monster game on him, the best game I've ever seen him play. He was good all year, but that was proper shutdown cornerback play, and it was a joy to watch. On this:

he got roasted by Conor dunican yesterday never scored from play and you never mention that

I absolutely did mention it, several times. It seems you seem to only hear what you want to hear, and what suits the argument that you plan to make anyway.

Now I'll add the caveat here - the supply of ball into the Ferbane full forward line was excellent in comparison to what the Edenderry forwards had to work with. Because Flynn, Nally, Carroll and others were going so well in the middle third, some of the delivery was sublime, and CF didn't have that. But I will absolutely accept that CF's stock fell yesterday, even though I don't agree that he should be ruled out of contention for county selection on account of it.

After all, if justice was done, Cillian Bourke would have been red-carded yesterday, and if that happened, it would have been a bad day all round where he could have cost Tullamore dearly. He got lucky, but it was still irresponsible - and yet quite rightly, nobody would suggest that if Cillian Bourke is available for selection for Offaly in 2026, he should be left out because he had a bad semi-final. I don't see why Cian Farrell would be any different.

(5) This all goes back to the same thing. In 2025, Offaly were chronically short of subs that Harte/Kelly trusted to bring on. More often than not we had just 16 or 17 players used going into the last five minutes, taking on teams that could keep freshening things up throughout. By the end of the year, we were playing guys who were carrying significant injuries, purely because management didn't trust the next men up.

I'm not going to name names and say the players that were in there who just weren't up to that level, but I think we can all accept that we need to deepen the panel, and that means finding players that MAY, if things go well for them, be capable of making an impact in Division Two and the Leinster SFC. To me, that includes Johnson, it includes Farrell, it includes Bourke, and if arms could be twisted, it would include Declan Hogan, Ruairí McNamee, Peter Cunningham and a few more as well. Depending on whether they want to go back into the hurling panel after how Johnny Kelly made it clear he doesn't want them this year, you could make a case for David Nally and Jack Clancy too.

That's not to say that they would all be fit and ready by the start of April, but they have the raw material to get there, and every place on the Offaly senior panel should be designated for someone who has the potential to play a role, not just someone who happens to be next in line, even if they have quite clearly shown their ceiling.

I think we can all agree that in 2025, there were lads on the Offaly senior football panel who quite frankly, just aren't at that level, and have shown no signs that they will ever get there. My thinking is that Farrell - and Johnson - are clear and obvious candidates to slot in in place of those guys.


But as to your core question, do I have something against Cian Johnson?

I want to be a lot more aggressive in my response, but I'll water it down and I'll say cop on and stop stirring s***.

[Behindthegoal]

Appreciate the response while I agree with some points I disagree with a lot of it so I’ll leave it there. It wasn’t just me who had that opinion from listening to the stream and I felt I had to question it.

[Lone Shark]

No problem with a difference of opinion, that's as it should be. I think Cathal Flynn was outstanding and CJ played well, you think CJ was the main man, that's all fine. There's no right and wrong there.

Just when you start bringing in stuff about me having a personal agenda or grudge against a genuine young lad who plays for my home club, that's different. You can understand that I need to shut that down.

[Anon444]

I appreciate that this is going away from the weekend’s football but feel the need to comment on the new championship structure. I think the CCCC should be commended for seeing that there is a current problem with the senior championship and trying to rectify it.

Sometimes I think people forget that the ideal championship is one where numerous teams can win it. For that to happen, we need the so called ‘weaker’ senior clubs to develop and get to a stage where they can beat one of the ‘stronger’ clubs. The new structure adds real jeopardy to each game, which is exactly what was missing the last few years. It also gives the top 2 of these ‘weaker’ clubs a chance to play some of the county’s top opposition, which will no doubt bring them on in the long run.

I would respectfully disagree with some posters saying that we should reduce the amount of clubs to 8, might be okay short term but we will still have 10+ point beatings in each group. Also, how is a senior b promoted club meant to maintain senior status, it’ll create a yoyo effect among numerous clubs that are there or thereabouts.

Maybe my opinion will be proven to be completely wrong next year, but I’d be optimistic about it going forward.

[frankthetank]

Just on a point that LS brought up there.

It beggars belief that Johnny Kelly hasn't seen the merits in some sort of a role for David Nally in the Offaly hurling team. I like Kelly and to be fair to him he has got an awful lot right (much more right than wrong actually) but this is one I think a mistake has been made on.

A 15 minute cameo when the game has loosened up and the rough and tumble has gone out of it would be perfect for him in my opinion. Similar to how Colin Spain was utilised as the championship wore on this year.

[Doon Exile]

I appreciate that this is going away from the weekend’s football but feel the need to comment on the new championship structure. I think the CCCC should be commended for seeing that there is a current problem with the senior championship and trying to rectify it.

Sometimes I think people forget that the ideal championship is one where numerous teams can win it. For that to happen, we need the so called ‘weaker’ senior clubs to develop and get to a stage where they can beat one of the ‘stronger’ clubs. The new structure adds real jeopardy to each game, which is exactly what was missing the last few years. It also gives the top 2 of these ‘weaker’ clubs a chance to play some of the county’s top opposition, which will no doubt bring them on in the long run.

I would respectfully disagree with some posters saying that we should reduce the amount of clubs to 8, might be okay short term but we will still have 10+ point beatings in each group. Also, how is a senior b promoted club meant to maintain senior status, it’ll create a yoyo effect among numerous clubs that are there or thereabouts.

Maybe my opinion will be proven to be completely wrong next year, but I’d be optimistic about it going forward.

Agree. Definitely worth a try for a couple of years. Teams have to aspire to play senior football and hurling and this gives them a chance to be competitive in the year after promotion from senior B whilst also giving a fighting chance to the teams that progress on to the knockout stage.

[Doon Exile]

And well done Ferbane. Some performance in the second half. I think they have a great chance in the final.

Cathal Flynn is some rolls Royce of a player.

Be some job to sit down to pick their team for the final with the Calvary they brought on yesterday

[Payperview1]

Tullamore subs weren't too bad either!

[FullForward waster]

I appreciate that this is going away from the weekend’s football but feel the need to comment on the new championship structure. I think the CCCC should be commended for seeing that there is a current problem with the senior championship and trying to rectify it.

Sometimes I think people forget that the ideal championship is one where numerous teams can win it. For that to happen, we need the so called ‘weaker’ senior clubs to develop and get to a stage where they can beat one of the ‘stronger’ clubs. The new structure adds real jeopardy to each game, which is exactly what was missing the last few years. It also gives the top 2 of these ‘weaker’ clubs a chance to play some of the county’s top opposition, which will no doubt bring them on in the long run.

I would respectfully disagree with some posters saying that we should reduce the amount of clubs to 8, might be okay short term but we will still have 10+ point beatings in each group. Also, how is a senior b promoted club meant to maintain senior status, it’ll create a yoyo effect among numerous clubs that are there or thereabouts.

Maybe my opinion will be proven to be completely wrong next year, but I’d be optimistic about it going forward.

100% have to agree in this post. Could be a total flop but worth a try non the less.

See it as the team that tops group 2 (Weaker Group) play team 4 in group 1. Moral could be up and a possibility of an upset would be huge when a team has confidence. This could be massive in development for such club. I also believe it gives the upcoming team a better chance and competing in Senior A. Wining Senior B and being drawn in a group with Tullamore, Edenderry or Frebane could set a team back if heavy defeat happens.

I have been the first to question some of the championship formats in the past but I feel this is the best proposal in a number of years, time will tell have they got it right or not.

One can only imagine with 10 teams in Senior A it would have a benefit to the county team and player development for a few to make their mark and put their hand up for county selection.

I have been wrong in the past but I would love to see this format work personally.

On another note roll on the final. I cant wait to see the matchups Flynn and whop picks him up furlong maybe Egan? CJ V Dec hogan? Higgins V Brouke. .... This has the potential to be an absolute cracker but also could be a game of chess for the first 40 mins.

[ruletheroost]

No problem with a difference of opinion, that's as it should be. I think Cathal Flynn was outstanding and CJ played well, you think CJ was the main man, that's all fine. There's no right and wrong there.

Just when you start bringing in stuff about me having a personal agenda or grudge against a genuine young lad who plays for my home club, that's different. You can understand that I need to shut that down.

For me Cathal Flynn and David Nally have been the 2 best players in this years championship. Offaly management should be doing all they can to get Nally on the football panel this year. An outstanding talent.

[Silken Thomas 2]

They say a rising tide lifts all boats but the ripple effects of underage success are really starting to touch Tullamore GAA shores now. Its a tsunami of quality players. Their Intermediate footballers didn’t need to sound any foghorn either. Jack Maher, Jake Moore and Ciaran Burns shouldn’t be left in steerage for too long.

It’s arguable though that their organisation and increased population will help them chart a new course. The heady waters of a Leinster title has to be the aim. Not many clubs can field four adult football crews, not many with their rich history. The town can now see up to 70 boys show up for one age group for their first voyage, so unfortunately are there too many ending up overboard?

Rhode however it seems head for the doldrums, if at least making a semi in 2026, is such a place for them. Their older marquee swimmers only seem to tread water. Too many barnacles have attached. They have any amount of options for half back and half forward but none who supply the guile of the stealthy John Furlong or the dash of the explosive Cormac Egan. If the rules were a new departure, why did Rhode deliberately concede so many kick outs? Zonal give aways worked best with the old rules and not with a team as comfortable on the ball as Tullamore are. I can’t see Liam Dillane for example being allowed such cheap possession in the final.

Ferbane seem to have a new adventurous streak. They have prepared for this jaunt since the middle of last October. They travel in a fleet and have fitness in abundance, this will stand to them if they start to flounder. Their forwards I believe can tie the neater knots, and the vast expanse of O’Connor Park also suits their play. They can carry willingly all day with multiple options but also seem to be kicking more than ever. Cian Johnson demands maximum attention on the bow, Nally on the stern but Cathal Flynn is the real captain of the ship.

Unfortunately for the reds they were swimming against the tide in the second half of their semi final when it was thought their stroke seemed so fluid this year. Battling and sea faring qualities were not to the fore. Once the second goal hit the net, they capsized all too easily. Richie Dalton could do well to avoid a mutiny. As they develop their sea legs they shall return to warmer waters. A true Columbus is needed though.

For Ferbane and Tullamore a titanic tussle awaits. Both rely on manic energy and disciplined defence. They have perfected the Bermuda Triangle of gang tackling. Rarely flailing the arms and getting penalised. In the end the opponent often drowns serenely.

From the crow’s nest of the stands, their kick outs also seem elite. For me it’s foolish to try and make it an esoteric art. It helps when both teams are broad in the beam. The middle third won’t have many men less than a fathom in view. However it’s a bit more nuanced than that. It’s precise cannon fire even though they can both scrap too.

Both benches will bring repetitive powerful waves of energy. Watch out for the elusive movements of McDaid, the feints of Darragh Flynn and the physicality of Oisin Kelly to name but a few.

For one proud club, Sunday evening’s celebration dock will be like the Mary Celeste. Incredible passion, spirit and determination will break and wash up on a strand of failure. Monday’s hangover will bring the realisation that their huge chance has sunk without trace and a year marooned without true treasure awaits…

Now to nail my colours to the mast.
Ferbane by 4-after a tempestuous second half.