Offaly vs. Westmeath

[royalblue]

let's hope the Footballers good form continues was talking to the captain yesterday fellow Rynaghs man they are up for it alright .

[lovelyhurling]

Great post ST, similar to ourselves and laois over this side of the county..

[Plain of the Herbs]

Some interesting points by the lads on the ‘challenge match’ topic on making space. Some points I would like to add, though I would bow to the superior technical knowledge of the football regulars here.

Offaly have an advantage in that they know exactly how Westmeath will play the game, by crowding out their defence and hitting Offaly on the break.

That’s not such a bad thing, and I feel the worst thing Offaly could do would be to try and free up that space by pushing their half forward line too far forward, thus crowding the full forward line. I feel Offaly really need to play two up front with everyone else back.

Remember 1998 when Offaly were defending Leinster champions and Meath suffocated the middle third of the field? Offaly started with a two man full forward line that day but midway through the first half they sent on an unfit Peter Brady to pay corner forward, replacing Philip O’Reilly who was playing a withdrawn role, in a bid to free up space. All the move did was free up space for Meath and they destroyed Offaly.

I can see this match ending something like ten points to eight, something like the Westmeath 1997 or Wexford 1994 matches at the same venue. A hallmark of those two matches was the visitors’ dominance at midfield through Tom Ormsby for Westmeath and the two Harringtons for Wexford as Offaly played their traditional 3-3-2-3-3 formation.

It won’t be pretty on Saturday, and Offaly may hit an amount of wides as often happens in Tullamore. The worst thing to happen would be for any frustration of the Offaly crowd (when they realise they’re not going to be treated to a 3-18 to 3-14 classic) to influence things on the field.

The point I’m making is that I wouldn’t be so intent of freeing up the middle third for the sake of lovely football on Saturday evening week. I fact, because Offaly generally do so badly winning high ball at midfield is all the more reason a crowded midfield will suit Offaly.

I’d take a 0-10 to 0-8 win over a 3-18 to 3-14 defeat in a derby struggle any day!

[Silken Thomas]

Great post ST, similar to ourselves and laois over this side of the county..

I hear you brother... after that quarter final in 2005 I truly loathe them most certainly my second in the hate stakes

[Bord na Mona man]

Ye might enjoy this topic folks, from Reservoir Dubs.
They are a bit concerned about the threat of Wastemeath in the next round.
To be fair they are urging caution about the other teams in Leinster though...Louth, Wexford and Laois.

http://www.reservoirdubs.com/index.php? ... pic=2709.0

[Kevin]

GR8!

Their preparation for Westmeath may serve them well at some point in the qualifiers

[Sydthebeat]

lads, is this ticket only or will you be able to pay at the gate??

[azoffaly]

Ticket only I think Syd..

[beirut]

Yeah I was thinking the same and just paying at the gate, will this be possible?

[Sydthebeat]

thanks lads, tickets organised...

[The Biff]

I thought I was not going to be able to make this game, but now all of a sudden I just might. What's the story with Ticket Availability? I checked TicketMaster just now and they only have Terrace tickets, which would be fine for me (not quite so sure about herself or the young lad, but that's what they get for changing plans late). With the match now NOT being televised "Live", will this turn it into a definite sell-out? Has anyone ever seen OCP been totally sold out before?

At this stage, could I count on being able to buy tickets on the day, assuming there will be the familiar caravan parked across in the GAA Centre car park? I know it's a bit iffy, but I'm feckin' afraid that these plans could be changed on me again.

[Treasurer]

I'd be surprised if it's sold out but ticketmaster might be worth checking on FRiday to see if any stand tickets have been released - a certain amount are reserved for participating counties and they should be released after their public sales are over. Leinster council have them too.

[Treasurer]

Tickets will be on Sale in GAA Centre on Saturday afternoon.

[tara26]

Have they named the team for the match????