Offaly senior football rankings 2007

Hocker · Post by **Hocker** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 5:07 pm

1. Rhode
2. Clara
3. Shamrocks
4. Tullamore
5. St. Brigids
6. Ballycumber
7. Ferbane
8. Tubber
9. Gracefield
10. Erin Rovers
11. Shannonbridge
12. St. Rynaghs

Considering there are now only 12 teams competing in the senior championship next year, I've decided to give each club a ranking, based on what i've seen in the last 12 months, and I'd like to hear your thoughts:

The Magpie · Post by **The Magpie** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:06 pm

Ok Ron. Here's my ranking:

1. Rhode
2. Clara
3. Tullamore
4. Shamrocks
5. St. Brigids
6. Ballycumber
7. Ferbane
8. Gracefield
9. Shannonbridge
10. Erin Rovers
11. Tubber
12. St. Rynaghs

Something tells me Tullamore will be hard to beat. Phil Reilly has them training away and they seem to be focussed. I don't know if Shamrocks can keep on coming, so I've dropped them down a peg. However, this is no slight on Shamrocks. I think any team in the top 5 could beat any other team in the top 5.
Additionally, you might argue that Ballycumber are a top 5 team, but lets not forget that they were beaten by Edenderry last year. So, although they put in a couple of big performances against Rhode and Clara, they're just outside the big-boy circle at the minute.
Tubber are a good young team with plenty of momentum. I think they'll be happy to retain Senior status next year and start to build from there.

Lone Shark · Post by **Lone Shark** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:54 pm

In theory Tullamore should be coming good and having James Keane for the full year will be a big help, but I'd still agree with Hocker in that I'd have them outside the first three. My gut feeling, albeit after not seeing much football this year.....

Rhode Not really much debate here.

Clara Edged out Shamrocks last year and as such deserve second on account of that, but would still only be evens against them if they were to play again tomorrow.

Shamrocks A lot depends on how Ward fits in. If he beds in well he'll give them a serious extra cutting edge up front, or he could upset the whole apple cart either. Now is also the time for Derek Molloy to step forward and become a serious senior player too. If that happens, they'll be clear second favourites and will be equipped to give Rhode plenty of it.

Tullamore Great young players, a few serious old heads and still not a lot in the middle. Undoubted potential, but I remain unconvinced.

St. Brigid's Its very hard for clubs picking off the scraggy ends of parishes to keep it going. Ken Casey will be a seriously marked man next year and I don't know how they're going to handle it if and when he gets shut out.

Ballycumber Still capable of blistering 15 minute spells, but they haven't really added to the existing panel of players with any game breakers from the underage ranks in a while. Club spirit is as strong as ever, but for me it's easier to see them dropping down this order than moving up.

Ferbane Have steadied the ship after a few years of serious decline, but still hard to fancy them to score more than ten times in any game. Potential semi finalists maybe, then if the championship got delayed into the arse end of November you never know.

Tubber Momentum will carry them a long way, and with the club on a high and a serious corps of young players they should secure senior status next year. Will probably go out in the quarters against a decent side, having led at half time and got reeled in.

Shannonbridge Hopefully this year will be the spur to finally make them realise that they aren't immune from the drop, and that they are capable of some good football if only they could prepare well and not be held back a select few not keeping their heads or not being in prime condition. A new attitude could see them becoming a very decent team, the same attitude as 2006 will see them go down.

Erin Rovers Demolished a badly prepared and depleted Doon side before digging deep to edge out Gracefield. The rest was pretty horrendous. Have a few good youngsters there that might do enough to keep them up.

Gracefield Too dependent on O'Neill for scores and have regressed hugely in the last few years. This reeks of one of those posts where I bring a jihad onto myself from a whole parish when I don't say that all is well, but they strike me as a club in real danger right now. Edenderry fans don't need to be reminded how a strong history is not enough to save you if things aren't going well.

St. Rynagh's Targetted the Shannonbridge game last year and retained their senior status on account of it. Will do very well to repeat the trick with two more clubs going down this year.

turk · Post by **turk** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:47 pm

are the draws for next year known yet? i'd not like to speculate til i see them

Lone Shark · Post by **Lone Shark** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:48 pm

turk wrote:are the draws for next year known yet? i'd not like to speculate til i see them

You always were a hoor to court controversy.....

The Magpie · Post by **The Magpie** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:54 am

I'm surprised you haven't factored in the loss of Ronan Mooney LS...or maybe you have?

Bord na Mona man · Post by **Bord na Mona man** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:07 am

I think Shamrocks will have a much better attack next year if Ward settles in and Derek Molloy and Nigel Dunne gain more experience.
However there might be a certain amount of weariness amongst their older players.

Lone Shark · Post by **Lone Shark** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:21 am

The Magpie wrote:I'm surprised you haven't factored in the loss of Ronan Mooney LS...or maybe you have?

I don't know enough about the situation to comment too much, but my experience of these situations is that announcements in the dead of winter are all very well, but if June rolls around and Shamrocks are actually struggling in the middle, a recall wouldn't be the biggest shock I've ever seen. I don't know if he's back in Ireland permanently or still in America, but if the need was sufficient, I'd say he'd make his way to O'Connor Park or wherever.