UP Coming Fixtures?

[Lone Shark]

I don't know what the logic is behind it, but I'd say a big part of it is that Rynagh's take in a huge chunk of Offaly hurling area already, and they don't need more help, while Belmont do. Plus if Lusmagh and Belmont join then Lusmagh will have anything from 6 to 10 lads getting to play - if they join with Rynaghs they might have as many as five or as few as two or three. Hence the St. Cronan's set up would be better for the club, without any local allegiance being taken into account.

[Over The Black Spot]

I don't know what the logic is behind it, but I'd say a big part of it is that Rynagh's take in a huge chunk of Offaly hurling area already, and they don't need more help, while Belmont do. Plus if Lusmagh and Belmont join then Lusmagh will have anything from 6 to 10 lads getting to play - if they join with Rynaghs they might have as many as five or as few as two or three. Hence the St. Cronan's set up would be better for the club, without any local allegiance being taken into account.

The Lusmagh/Belmont amalgimation proves relatively seamless as most of the lads go to school together in Banagher and hurl together as it is and both clubs can get a decent representation on the team as neither club would greatly outway the other in terms of size or strenght. The clubs also hurled together as part of the old South Offaly combo at different stages so the idea isn't completely alien and seems to be serving a purpose in that lads are getting 'A' Grade huring where they wouldn't have got the opportunity on their own.

The Under-21 team has had a couple of near misses over the last few years but I'm not sure what they're like this year. They have playd a couple of challenges but I don't know how they've been getting on or who's looking after them.

As an aside, I have heard that the game will be played in Lusmagh and that the fixtures issued are incorrect, you might want to double check on that though.

[Lone Shark]

Tis in Lusmagh indeed. I got a call to that effect last night - and the division 4 league game between Shamrocks and Erin Rovers is Sunday at 12 now.

To be honest they change around the whole time as clubs arrange it among themselves - there's always a bit of hit and miss involved.

[green&white]

Not sure about Killavilla boys. You were right about McCabe, but he wanted to transfer to Coolderry, but didnt folow it up properly i think. Other young fellas from Killavilla wouldnt line out for the combination of Collderry and Killavilla because of the stupid rivalry betwen them! Suppose its your own choice, but at 21 surely you'd be mature enough to put hurling first, no?? Suppose its hard to call unless your in the situation!
Think (but not 100%) that one of the Gaths from Drumcullen is lining out for Rynaghs u-21s as oposed to KK. He hurled with their minors last yr. (got sent off in the final actually if memory serves correct).

[midfield]

St. Malachys - Brosna Gaels / Ballinamere durrow and clara. How many clubs are actually in this as i thought brosna gaels was an amalgamation of it already.

What about that St.Davids team.- is that gone by the wayside now and what clubs were involved in it anyway?

[Lone Shark]

St. Davids was pretty much all of Offaly east of Tullamore, but I think that was minor level only.

Brosna Gaels is an amalgamation of sorts, but it's still only one and a half parishes when push comes to shove. It's not exactly a monster team or anything.

A Dermot Gath played for Rynagh's minors last year - is he Drumcullen? Must be some reason for his special permission, no?

[The Dash]

Dermot Gath is from Drumcullen, plays senior hurling, was on minor hurling panel last year, eligible this year but owing to Jonny Pilkos ego, he is not there at present, the weekend will tell a lot about that particular move. Dermot Gath will line out with KK Gaels on Sunday, not Rynaghs. Under new rulings clubs cannot have players going to other clubs under permissions or otherwise and rightly so. Because of the county board, the fiasco developed which for two minor hurling finals in a row Gath had to hurl against his own clubmates. (Joe Troy and Damien Spain, Rynaghs v KK 2006) and (Alan Maher, Rynaghs v Birr 07)

[beirut]

offaly.gaa.ie seems to have got its act together, fixtures for this weekend are up!!

[midfield]

At long last. Most of the hurling results from the league havent been put up though. All the football ones are up.
I noticed that the fixtures booklet for the underage fixtures in Offaly came out last month. Why cant they put these up as well so that parents might be able to plan holidays etc.