Offaly Senior Hurlers 2025

[Bord na Mona man]

Sustaining a 70 minute performance against elite counties will be a challenge, especially for young players who've been playing 60 minutes up to recently.
What also happens, when you encounter a step up in class, you've used 60 your minutes worth of energy by 50 minutes where you're battling to keep on terms.

It's a timely reminder of the step up in class, and January is a good time to get a flavour of it. There's 3 months until Leinster Championship and Offaly's preparations need to be manic between now and then.

[oneshot]

wouldn't be to worry yet only january kilkenny also had a strong side out and they are preparing to head to Ennis next weekend. Tipp beat laois by 39 points during the week but lost to dublin today so you shouldn't read to much into practice
games. this time next saturday night we will know where we stand after playing our bogie side over the last 3 years Carlow.

[Wingbackassassin]

Liam was in goals after about ten minutes into 2nd half. Kk had a lad who came on, 19 years of age. Bigger than anyone on the offaly team. Scored a goal. Size is going to be an issue.

I’m wore out saying it

I note an ex player (although arguably one of our greatest ever) was in the media lately saying he thinks s&c is overly emphasised. Hopefully that attitude isn’t overly prevalent in the circle that matter.

asBif
S&C cannot fundamentally change a players body type or composition the way some people seem to believe it can. Genetics are the main factor for a player being big,strong,fast etc.
Also Offaly do have some huge players. Duignan, Oisin Kelly, Killian Sampson are all physically as big as anyone. Though height and physical size are not the most important thing at all.

[private joker]

S and c won't fundamentally change a player but you will note that some players do "fill out" and that is from the strength work that they do.

[Superhans75]

Our main problem for the last 15 years was our back line conceeding ridiculous amounts of scores
We have yet to rectify or even come close to a solution.
When you join the big boys the inevitable will happen if you haven't got the basics right
Have we ?
As for Screeney let him enjoy his hurling
He will be 55 minute man but so be it
He just needs to become more street wise
Because mark my words the counties have done there work on him
It's not going to be pretty but let's enjoy the ride.
Have a good week

[G91]

You can do all the S C in the world but if you can’t find a way to hurl your way into a game against better opponents it’s hitting lads with strong tackles and being able to take them isn’t going to win you a game vs Dublin or Galway or kk it will help but won’t win you the game

Yes we need to be able to hurl for the full 70 league games we’re left behind last year after going a couple points ahead because our best was only scraping 55/60 mins of hurling

Need to be ruthless like na fianna v Kk any sight on goal you take it and make it count

We went completely out of the Joe McDonagh in the second half couldn’t find a way to play through Laois when we had the ball in our hand hit loose balls to no one , second to some balls put into an open space shouldn’t have been as close as it was

Nothings won or lost in January but Carlow will be a test and should be looking to be dominant

[private joker]

Carlow drew with kk in championship last year. No idea how they are going now. Saturday weather going to be very windy so who knows how it will go.

[JimBwobb]

Any word on injuries ahead of the league and new players on the panel?

I believe Adam and Ben are out for the league.

[ah lethimoutwithit]

You can do all the S C in the world but if you can’t find a way to hurl your way into a game against better opponents it’s hitting lads with strong tackles and being able to take them isn’t going to win you a game vs Dublin or Galway or kk it will help but won’t win you the game

Yes we need to be able to hurl for the full 70 league games we’re left behind last year after going a couple points ahead because our best was only scraping 55/60 mins of hurling

Need to be ruthless like na fianna v Kk any sight on goal you take it and make it count

We went completely out of the Joe McDonagh in the second half couldn’t find a way to play through Laois when we had the ball in our hand hit loose balls to no one , second to some balls put into an open space shouldn’t have been as close as it was

Nothings won or lost in January but Carlow will be a test and should be looking to be dominant

Fair points alright, we have to ensure ball goes to hand as much as possible, (I know it sounds obvious), but too many poorly executed passes or the wrong ball is delivered, often 50/50 when we should be able to pick a man. It also contributed to KKs downfall v Na Fianna.
Best of luck to the lads and a good league will be vital to build panel and confidence.

[faithfulfanatic]

Any word on injuries ahead of the league and new players on the panel?

I believe Adam and Ben are out for the league.

I heard a while back Ben Miller, Pat Taaffe, Jack Fogarty, DJ McLoughlin and Eoin Burke were in training. Not sure who’s still involved.
A few of the lads who are still u20 also involved that weren’t previously.

Adam Screeney out for the league.
Eimhin Kelly out for the year.
Not sure on how long Ben will be.

[oneshot]

i Hope Cillian Kiely is fit and has recover from his hand injury Offaly will need him big time in this league . going to be a tough
league with only a puck of a ball between Westmeath , Laois, Carlow and Offaly . Dublin and Waterford you would fancy to top group.

[faithfulfanatic]

Watched Fitzgibbon Cup action on YouTube this evening, Mary I versus SETU Waterford.
Mary I prevail by 2 points.

Again this week, Cathal King was outstanding for Waterford. Commentators very impressed.
Hurling around the middle of the field, got 3 points and won 5 frees.

Eoin Burke hurling for ATU Galway against UL at the moment.

Charlie Mitchell and Dan Bourke both hurled for University of Galway against UCC earlier in a defeat. Pat Taaffe and Ter Guinan amongst the subs.

It’s great to see so many Offaly lads being exposed to Fitzgibbon hurling.

University of Galway and SETU Waterford both now out of contention (I think) with one group game to go each.

[Lone Shark]

University of Galway need a favour from a weak UCD team against MTU Cork tomorrow, so they're not officially goosed yet - but based on what I saw last week, that's a good MTU Cork side and I'd expect them to win. Second week in a row that poor shooting has hurt UoG.

[Fear Uibh]

i'd say the game will be called off Saturday or put back by a day to Sunday for a double header with the footballers? or will they move to Birr?

[jimbob17]

Would imagine if moving, it'll go to Birr at earlier throw in Sunday. Pitches very soft to be fair.