New hurling faces in 2007

[Lone Shark]

Seeing as the championship is nearly concluded (certainly we know enough about the Birr and Coolderry players) I'd be curious to know who have stuck their hand up (as it were) for further consideration for places in the hurling team next year. I understand the pool is small, but even so this year three out of the six teams that made the knockout stages of the senior championship had one panellist each last year - that can't be right.

I've seen feck all domestic stuff this year, who's in the running? Here's how I would see it, looking at a panel of thirty, allowing for some flexibility in terms of positions. (S) would denote a guaranteed starter barring injury

Goalies

Mullins, O'Connor

Fullback Line

Cleary (S), Franks, O'Meara, ? ? ?

Halfback Line

Rory Hanniffy (S), Hoctor, Kevin Brady, Tanner, Claffey, ?

Midfield

Oakley, ? ? ?

Half Forwards

Gary Hanniffy (S), Hayden, Murphy, ? ? ?

Full Forwards

Carroll (S), Joe Bergin (S), ? ? ? ?

So who's filling the gaps, or are we back to the usual suspects?

[Rynaghs Biffo]

I'd like to see more new faces cropping up and give them a good run in the league. Players like Eddie Bevans, Eamon Lee, Cathal Parlon, Brendan O'Meara, Paddy Whelan, Diarmuid Horan.

Another thing, O'Connor should be given as many games in the league as possible, he's a far better all round keeper than Breeder. Also, how come Mullins was on the bench for the county final last week, Mulrooney played well apart from one scare.

[Hyper]

Mullins had an injury to the hand

[del]

shane dooley is defo worth a shot this year from what i saw of him he has inproved big time also ls i cant see how brian carroll is certain starter i reckon he has been medicore to poor for both offaly and coolderry i reckon he will be under pressure

[Bord na Mona man]

In sport the definition of a utility player is a sort of jack of all trades, one who can play several positions competently.
The Offaly hurling panel seems to have a few of these.
While McIntyre seems to have turned into a bit of tinker man with too many switches, when you try to assemble your notional Offaly 15, you're left sifting through too many players who have never excelled in a particular position.
We have a few players who've been on the scene for years that we're still not sure if they are half backs, wing forwards, midfielders or full forwards.
Then with the real quality players like Rory H, no matter where you play him, you're robbing another position of a good player.
We have been a shapeless unit for 5 years now. Not sure what style of hurling to play and generally shy of a gameplan.

I'd like to see Shane O'Connor in goal. Breeder had a real slump late on last year.
I feel Brendan O'Meara was dropped at the wrong time and I've never been convinced by Barry Teehan at corner back.
Cleary at full back.
Hopefully David Moran at either corner back to wing back.
I'd nearly chance Dan Hoctor at centre back, if only to see if Rory Hanniffy could patch our lack of a midfield.
Kevin Brady at wing back I suppose.
It'll probably be Barry Whelahan at midfield, might steady us up there slightly.
Gary Hanniffy at centre forward.
Hayden on the wing
Joe Bergin could be moved out the field, but FF looks to be his position for the moment.

Normal starters who I'd be putting the squeeze on:- Breeder, Teehan, Cordial, Murphy and maybe Carroll.

The team we should try for the league should start something like:

Shane O'Connor

Back 6:
Brendan O'Meara
Paul Cleary
David Franks
David Moran
Dan Hoctor
Kevin Brady

Others:
Joe Brady
Tanner
Claffey
Teehan

Midfield:
Rory Hanniffy
Barry Whelahan

Others:
Oakley
Cordial

Forwards:
Dylan Hayden
Gary Hanniffy
Joe Bergin
Carroll (hopefully sharp)

2 of:
? Murphy Hanrahan Healion Parlon Leonard Egan Dooley Browne and whoever else I've forgotten.

[Rynaghs Biffo]

While McIntyre seems to have turned into a bit of tinker man with too many switches, when you try to assemble your notional Offaly 15, you're left sifting through too many players who have never excelled in a particular position.
We have a few players who've been on the scene for years that we're still not sure if they are half backs, wing forwards, midfielders or full forwards.
Then with the real quality players like Rory H, no matter where you play him, you're robbing another position of a good player.
We have been a shapeless unit for 5 years now. Not sure what style of hurling to play and generally shy of a gameplan.

Have to agree with everything you said there BNM, hit the nail on the head.

Here'd be my starting 15

Shane O'Connor
Brendan O'Meara Paul Cleary David Franks
Kevin Brady Rory Hanniffy Dan Hoctor
Barry Whelehan Michael Cordial
Dylan Hayden Gary Hanniffy Brendan Murphy
Brian Carroll Joe Bergin Aidan Hanrahan

No great surprises with this team, most of these players have established their position at county level, rather than being thrown about the field, tried and failed out of postition.

The only fear with this is, the fringe players wouldn't be up to scratch at county level.

I think the number 1 aim for next years championship is to get by the level of Wexford and emerge into the top 8 in the country. Take one step at a time and eventually we can get into a all-ireland quarter final with more games in croke park. Theres no point in making unrealistic goals, this is one our boys can do.