On refection which game/defeat) was the real beginning of the end of the golden era of Offaly hurling from 1980s to 2000

[Thomas mc]

Interesting topic.. i think with the hurlers it was a period around 1998 to 2000 despite an all ireland win a a seperate appearance, the team had become so inconsistent and the big beatings from killenny started and we stumbled through a quarter final against Derry

[Bord na Mona man]

Offaly teams even at their peak, had much the same 15 players line out in every game. The lack of depth in a panel from a small county would have an effect, compared to counties with greater playing resources.

Another contributing factor was the rule change in 2000 that upped the subs allowed from 3 to 5. Once, in place, the big three hurling counties won the next 13 All Irelands. Prior to this, 5 of the previous 6 All Irelands had been won by less traditional counties.

Even without that, the big powers were always going to regroup and counteract the revolution of the 90s. They got more serious about fitness, physical preparation and added a lot more steel to their play. Once Cody was at the helm, the possibility of Kilkenny being horsed out of it by Wexford, Klare, Limerick etc evaporated.

[Bogman123]

I know the thread is titled the beginning of the end of the 1980 - 2000 era, but there was still some optimism around the turn of the millennium. It was clear that we were nowhere near the levels of a generational Kilkenny team, but there were some positive results that gave some hope to younger supporters.

Leinster final in 04 could have gone differently, I remember the Offaly crowd that travelled to the Gaelic Grounds in 08 to see us knock out the all-ireland finalists in the qualifiers. I remember the hope after the drawn leinster semi against galway in 10. We were not that far away from contesting with the bigger counties at that stage. Rory Hanniffy, Joe Bergin, Shane Dooley, Colin Egan, Cathal Parlon, Brian Carroll, David Franks. These were names that took some management even by the best teams in the country.

Where that turned, for me, was in Nowlan Park in 14. The excitement in Kilkenny was there for the first ever televised Sky Sports hurling game and if I remember correctly, Brian Codys team put up a record-breaking tally that night, 26 points. Although a lot of that group I mentioned were in the later years, we were about to enter a new era where we would not even get a chance to upset the top table teams.

Although it seemed like an eternity, all we wanted in those days was to be back at the top table. It's great to be back and whilst we're not talking about All Irelands like we were in those days, it's a promising trajectory we are on. Let's hope we continue to build.

[biffinbanner]

next step will be beating one of the top 6(tipp cork kk limerick clare or galway) in a meaningful match. were not quite at the top table until that happens.

[frankthetank]

I’d be of the opinion that it would be more beneficial to us if we beat Dublin and/or Wexford in the Leinster Championship as our next step.

Preferably this year.

[Kevin]

1999 Leinster Final for me. Don’t make it to too many matches, but that was a beat down. Was so awesome to see them take out Cork in 2000. Was a tremendous comeback. They had no answers as we pulled away.