Offaly Senior Football 2026

[Snotser123]

Well two starters Dylan Hyland and furlong surely can't be blamed on county set up ...Hyland playing with Raheen inured last summer when shouldn't have been and furlong injured in a game playing for his club ....would ye honestly blame furlongs injury on harte /Kelly.....Flynn is a shoulder injury so that definitely can't be put on management ..so there's your 3 best players on that injured list and none are county set ups fault..if those 3 had played in the last two games things may have been different and the toxicity that has taken over this page wouldn't be as widespread...

[DurrowBoy17]

Firstly, Dylan Hyland was injured with Offaly, not Raheen.

Secondly, we still would not have beaten Kildare with those 3.

Thirdly, That's 2/14. 12 is still an awful lot to answer for. I don't hear any other intercounty missing that many ??

[classof81]

Well two starters Dylan Hyland and furlong surely can't be blamed on county set up ...Hyland playing with Raheen inured last summer when shouldn't have been and furlong injured in a game playing for his club ....would ye honestly blame furlongs injury on harte /Kelly.....Flynn is a shoulder injury so that definitely can't be put on management ..so there's your 3 best players on that injured list and none are county set ups fault..if those 3 had played in the last two games things may have been different and the toxicity that has taken over this page wouldn't be as widespread...

Snotser, I read this before looking at name and I said this has to be snotser and low and behold. U seem in a very small minority on this group but ur eager I give you that. Ur saying if those 3 played in last game it be different. Meanwhile louth the smallest county were down lads but it shouldnt effect them as bad as offaly, is what you said a wee while back.

[Snotser123]

We beat Kildare last year twice with a full team actually .....look if we all had the same opinion life would be boring ....I respect anyone that cares enough about offaly to come on and post here....i only named 3 as straight away they were 3 starters I seen on the list and Flynn for example is unfair to use as a statistic there when it's a shoulder injury....be careful what ye wish for lads ...wev the wise old own in harte with more knowledge in his big toe than anyone currently working in offaly gaa....wev Kelly who won an all Ireland with the majority of these players....when we are relegated which we will be who's the great options that will be knocking down the door to coach us ???

[jimbob17]

Dalton played at 6 for Clara for a year and was very good there - senior B player of year in fact. SOTG played there with Shamrocks previously. Pearson did it with Edenderry. Jordan Hayes has NEVER played there.

Cormac Egan has mostly been a forward. I never mentioned him to be put to inside line so don't understand relevance of your no 13 comment. And I know all about C Egan. Saw him play Rugby for Tullamore for your information as a kid and coached against him when he was only a chap playing for a different club before he moved to Tullamore so no need to question my knowledge on him. Yea he played at 13 as u20 fair enough but generally played withdrawn 13 role (as a half forward) running from deeper in half forward line. He is a good half back for Offaly and in a full team, I'd play him at 5 possibly. Rory Egan is an athletic 5, not a scoring wing forward. His best asset is athleticism and straight line runner, coming on to the play at pace, not as a creative footballer, which you need as a forward. He is as good a defender as Cormac in my opinion but nowhere near as strong as a wing forward.

You must have coached under 6/8s because that's the only time C Egan played for a different club than Tullamore. His rugby career also ended when he was about 12 so I think you should accept your first hand knowledge of him is limited.
I think Rory Egan has his strengths but he's not a great defender whatsoever, can't tackle and not on the same planet defensively as cormac egan.
They obviously decided to leave C Egan in defence because it would massively weaken it to take him out of there, dangerously so. Agreed that he would be a big help in the forward line but the team is already down so many important players that he's one of only a few established players still fit and available and it would destabilise everything even more to take him out of a defence that is also missing john furlong, aidan bracken etc.
Rory Egan not a forward but for early season football he's fit and can run and has played a lot of inter county so makes sense to fit him in the starting 15 somewhere. Though I agree he's not a scoring or creative forward.
If there's something to criticise management about its the list of players in their prime with a lot to offer that aren't on panel. Bill Carroll, Cian Farrell, Ruairi McNamee etc. Though this is probably the case in most counties(Daniel Flynn walked away from the Kildare panel for example). its something Offaly can't really afford if they're to have any chance of being competitive against the likes of Kildare, Derry, Tyrone.

You are way off here Wingback. I know my facts and you are grossly misinformed on many fronts here. I'd suggest you do a little more homework before trying to ridicule people who are more informed than you are.

Daniel Flynn is 31 or 32 and has played for Kildare for nearly 10 years and was in Australia playing Aussie Rules before that. Totally separate argument in my opinion.

On the other front, I'd see the status quo remaining for the year hopefully and hopefully it turns around with some lads getting back. Beyond that, it'll probably need a review with number of options beyond that. 1 being status quo remains, 2 Harte or DK stay on as individuals for next year with new team around either, 3 full clear out and new management team comes in.

I dont think its fair or wise to speculate on management until the year has passed given that we did well last year. There will be need to consult with players etc and see what is best at the end of year based on progress made. Besides, Harte might want to pack it in at the end of year so some of the calls could be outside Offaly's control.

[Tmacmahon]

There’s a huge volume of injuries at the moment, and serious questions probably need to be asked about why that is. It may well be down to sheer bad luck, but the number of injuries is alarming, and we’re suffering badly because of our lack of depth as a result.
As I’ve alluded to in previous posts, I do think we need to start looking ahead. This isn’t a slight on the current management at all they’ve been involved for a few years now and I think they’re doing fine in truth especially last year ,but whether it’s for 2027 or 2028, an Offaly led management setup might be worth exploring. Someone like Paul Rouse as manager makes a lot of sense. He’s been there before, has huge knowledge and contacts, is an excellent communicator, and is well respected, which would bring instant credibility.
You could then look at coaches such as Nigel Dunne, who, from everything I’ve heard and seen, seems extremely knowledgeable about the game. Ger Rafferty, given his work with the U20s, should also be in the conversation. Selectors like Peter Brady , Niall Mcnamee and Cathal Daly would add substance and steel as well, and an all Offaly management team. In fact, I’d nearly argue that either Dunne or Rafferty , or possibly both , should be brought into the senior setup right now as an additional coach, especially with what looks like a Tailteann Cup campaign ahead. That’s a competition we can genuinely win, and a fresh voice or injection of energy could make a real difference if things have gone a bit stale.
That said, the reality is this: unless we get players back on the field, it doesn’t matter who the coaches are. Ultimately, availability is everything. I know the football management team itself is relatively small, and while Mickey Harte is there and he is one of the greatest ever managers the workload at this level is massive, and perhaps more support is needed on the football side of things.
But it still comes back to the same point. For us to do well in 2026, we simply need players fit and available. That’s it. So to return to the original issue, the injury situation is hugely concerning, and hopefully we can get as many lads back as possible for the tail end of the league, but certainly for the Leinster championship and what now looks like a Tailteann Cup campaign.

[Snotser123]

Cathal Daly would surely have had to take the tullamore job before mcconway to prove he's worthy ......Rafferty has failed to get ferbane over the line so Jesus it would be some leap of faith to give him the county job ...this all backs up my point of be careful what u wish for ....rouse isn't at that that level either

[Tmacmahon]

I can't disagree, DK did deliver an all Ireland against all the odds and he is an Offaly Man as well.

[Wingbackassassin]

Dalton played at 6 for Clara for a year and was very good there - senior B player of year in fact. SOTG played there with Shamrocks previously. Pearson did it with Edenderry. Jordan Hayes has NEVER played there.

Cormac Egan has mostly been a forward. I never mentioned him to be put to inside line so don't understand relevance of your no 13 comment. And I know all about C Egan. Saw him play Rugby for Tullamore for your information as a kid and coached against him when he was only a chap playing for a different club before he moved to Tullamore so no need to question my knowledge on him. Yea he played at 13 as u20 fair enough but generally played withdrawn 13 role (as a half forward) running from deeper in half forward line. He is a good half back for Offaly and in a full team, I'd play him at 5 possibly. Rory Egan is an athletic 5, not a scoring wing forward. His best asset is athleticism and straight line runner, coming on to the play at pace, not as a creative footballer, which you need as a forward. He is as good a defender as Cormac in my opinion but nowhere near as strong as a wing forward.

You must have coached under 6/8s because that's the only time C Egan played for a different club than Tullamore. His rugby career also ended when he was about 12 so I think you should accept your first hand knowledge of him is limited.
I think Rory Egan has his strengths but he's not a great defender whatsoever, can't tackle and not on the same planet defensively as cormac egan.
They obviously decided to leave C Egan in defence because it would massively weaken it to take him out of there, dangerously so. Agreed that he would be a big help in the forward line but the team is already down so many important players that he's one of only a few established players still fit and available and it would destabilise everything even more to take him out of a defence that is also missing john furlong, aidan bracken etc.
Rory Egan not a forward but for early season football he's fit and can run and has played a lot of inter county so makes sense to fit him in the starting 15 somewhere. Though I agree he's not a scoring or creative forward.
If there's something to criticise management about its the list of players in their prime with a lot to offer that aren't on panel. Bill Carroll, Cian Farrell, Ruairi McNamee etc. Though this is probably the case in most counties(Daniel Flynn walked away from the Kildare panel for example). its something Offaly can't really afford if they're to have any chance of being competitive against the likes of Kildare, Derry, Tyrone.

You are way off here Wingback. I know my facts and you are grossly misinformed on many fronts here. I'd suggest you do a little more homework before trying to ridicule people who are more informed than you are.

Daniel Flynn is 31 or 32 and has played for Kildare for nearly 10 years and was in Australia playing Aussie Rules before that. Totally separate argument in my opinion.

Can you tell me what I'm "grossly misinformed" on?
Daniel Flynn is 31 with loads to offer. I'm sure there's also a long list of other kildare players who've stepped away for various reasons that unlike daniel flynn haven't come to national prominence.

[Snotser123]

On the Daniel Flynn point ...he's an example of a player who would start for his team...who with Dublin coming back to the pack it's not totally unrealistic for them to win a leinster...and he still walked away....the commitments are huge ....perhaps on Kildare forums people are blaming him leaving on current managements attitude towards him I don't know ....you take Shane o donnell at Clare the facts are if Clare didn't have a chance of winning an all Ireland he has openly said he wouldn't be committing to the county set up because of work /studies over the years ...so little old offaly can't expect every player over 30 to be happy to hang around as a sub...when more pressure is creeping in through mortgages , kids , relationships ....it's can't be put on every manager when players choose not to commit...take Wexford hurling...lost two of their best players in last few weeks as not committing to set up ....no matter who comes in their will be someone put out ...a new manager may bring back panda and Anton but through that u lose Tierney or Flynn who say they don't want to commit as not starting every game....the reality is when a team isn't winning the subs won't be happy it's hard enough keep them happy in a winning team...no matter who was brought back in from the names mentioned on this forum we wouldn't be staying up and the same bitching and moaning would be going on ....it all comes back to the same thing ....the injured players meant whatever slim chance we had of staying up was robbed from us ....I caveat this by saying I definitely don't agree with current managements decisions and team selections etc the last few weeks....

[Wingbackassassin]

On the Daniel Flynn point ...he's an example of a player who would start for his team...who with Dublin coming back to the pack it's not totally unrealistic for them to win a leinster...and he still walked away....the commitments are huge ....perhaps on Kildare forums people are blaming him leaving on current managements attitude towards him I don't know ....you take Shane o donnell at Clare the facts are if Clare didn't have a chance of winning an all Ireland he has openly said he wouldn't be committing to the county set up because of work /studies over the years ...so little old offaly can't expect every player over 30 to be happy to hang around as a sub...when more pressure is creeping in through mortgages , kids , relationships ....it's can't be put on every manager when players choose not to commit...take Wexford hurling...lost two of their best players in last few weeks as not committing to set up ....no matter who comes in their will be someone put out ...a new manager may bring back panda and Anton but through that u lose Tierney or Flynn who say they don't want to commit as not starting every game....the reality is when a team isn't winning the subs won't be happy it's hard enough keep them happy in a winning team...no matter who was brought back in from the names mentioned on this forum we wouldn't be staying up and the same bitching and moaning would be going on ....it all comes back to the same thing ....the injured players meant whatever slim chance we had of staying up was robbed from us ....I caveat this by saying I definitely don't agree with current managements decisions and team selections etc the last few weeks....

Just on the point about Kildare-this time 3 years ago they were hammered by Derry in the league. Currently only 2 players involved in that game are still involved now, Kevin Feely and Alex Beirne. That's a huge turnover. A lot of players dropped or walked away. Look at the team they had out against us a few weeks ago it was significantly younger than ours.

[Snotser123]

That's an amazing statistic ...
They have had great club success with naas, sallins and athy .....couple of u20 finals I believe they got to as well ...

[jimbob17]

Dalton played at 6 for Clara for a year and was very good there - senior B player of year in fact. SOTG played there with Shamrocks previously. Pearson did it with Edenderry. Jordan Hayes has NEVER played there.

Cormac Egan has mostly been a forward. I never mentioned him to be put to inside line so don't understand relevance of your no 13 comment. And I know all about C Egan. Saw him play Rugby for Tullamore for your information as a kid and coached against him when he was only a chap playing for a different club before he moved to Tullamore so no need to question my knowledge on him. Yea he played at 13 as u20 fair enough but generally played withdrawn 13 role (as a half forward) running from deeper in half forward line. He is a good half back for Offaly and in a full team, I'd play him at 5 possibly. Rory Egan is an athletic 5, not a scoring wing forward. His best asset is athleticism and straight line runner, coming on to the play at pace, not as a creative footballer, which you need as a forward. He is as good a defender as Cormac in my opinion but nowhere near as strong as a wing forward.

You must have coached under 6/8s because that's the only time C Egan played for a different club than Tullamore. His rugby career also ended when he was about 12 so I think you should accept your first hand knowledge of him is limited.
I think Rory Egan has his strengths but he's not a great defender whatsoever, can't tackle and not on the same planet defensively as cormac egan.

Above is the part where you are grossly misinformed WBA. Just stick to the facts in future..... No need to comment on others knowledge or lack thereof when your own assertions are as far off the truth as these ones are.

[DurrowBoy17]

Paddy dunican
Geordi omeara
John furlong
Dylan Hyland
Cathal flynn
Shane Tierney
Kyle Higgins
Cian Johnson
Niall furlong
Ed Cullen
Aidan bracken
Jack Bryant
Lee Pearson
Diarmuid egan

That’s our current injury list then…
Will there be an inquest into the s&c or management of players this is not normal

Add in2 that Nathan Poland who pulled hamstring too.

That's x15 players all out injured for the weekend

[FullForward waster]

Dalton played at 6 for Clara for a year and was very good there - senior B player of year in fact. SOTG played there with Shamrocks previously. Pearson did it with Edenderry. Jordan Hayes has NEVER played there.

Cormac Egan has mostly been a forward. I never mentioned him to be put to inside line so don't understand relevance of your no 13 comment. And I know all about C Egan. Saw him play Rugby for Tullamore for your information as a kid and coached against him when he was only a chap playing for a different club before he moved to Tullamore so no need to question my knowledge on him. Yea he played at 13 as u20 fair enough but generally played withdrawn 13 role (as a half forward) running from deeper in half forward line. He is a good half back for Offaly and in a full team, I'd play him at 5 possibly. Rory Egan is an athletic 5, not a scoring wing forward. His best asset is athleticism and straight line runner, coming on to the play at pace, not as a creative footballer, which you need as a forward. He is as good a defender as Cormac in my opinion but nowhere near as strong as a wing forward.

You must have coached under 6/8s because that's the only time C Egan played for a different club than Tullamore. His rugby career also ended when he was about 12 so I think you should accept your first hand knowledge of him is limited.
I think Rory Egan has his strengths but he's not a great defender whatsoever, can't tackle and not on the same planet defensively as cormac egan.

Above is the part where you are grossly misinformed WBA. Just stick to the facts in future..... No need to comment on others knowledge or lack thereof when your own assertions are as far off the truth as these ones are.

WBA its wrong to question someone's knowledge when they are correct. D Egan and C Egan played with a different GAA club all the way up to and including u12 and u10. This is facts as my own gossins was playing the same age group at the time. It wasn't Tullamore they played against them either.

I remember the time they left to play with Tullamore and was down to a chash in the club they were attached to. I was informed their father had given great time to the club and wasn't given the respect he deserved by some individuals in the club.

On the Injury list every county is dealing with injuries but, Offaly seem to have been hit particularly hard. Whether this is down to overtraining or just bad luck only the boys inside the group will know. Lets be real the league campaign was always going to be a big ask. I thing the priority now is for a few good performances and get the injured lads bag to full fitness whatever length of time that may take.