I'm not sure I subscribe to the unrest at Ger Oakley's sighting on the half back line. He may not be the most skillful hurler in Offaly, but his inclusion makes for a physically imposing half back line. In addition Rory Hannify is more a hurler than a stopper and in truth would probably be happier further up the field. Ger should be well able to use his strengths to cover off and close down the opposition in the general mid field / half back are and maybe reduce the high level of scores conceded which has been a problem for Offaly.
I think people generally accept that Sean Og O'Hailpin relies more on his athleticism than his stickwork. Ger may not be operating at that level, but does the same principle not apply ?
It's hard to call. Offaly have definitely made league progress, but championship is a horse of a different fish. We will get a better measure of the true merit of guys like Cleary, Brady, Bergin, Carroll and Hanrahan on Saturday. How we go will depend on how these lads cope.
Hurling team v Wexford
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the bare biffo
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Ger Oakley
"The ball may pass, but the man, never."
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Lone Shark
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It's not so much unrest at Oakley being there as much as unrest at the fact that we seem to be choc a bloc with forwards. Once you get past the full back line, our only natural defenders now are Brady at wing back, and possibly O'Hara at centre forward, oddly enough. In saying that, if the requisite blocking, hooking and harassing is done, then no problem.
I can foresee a Rory/Ger switch early enough in this game. Quigley is not Henry Shefflin by any means, but he's an awkward customer and he takes stopping - I'd hate to see Rory being negated by having to look after him. On the other hand Ger could close him out just as effectively, and let Rory play with a bit more freedom at seven.
I can't help but being worried. We have great potential, but they have a much more proven championship pedigree, albeit at a moderate level. We will have rough spells, but we need to be able to ride them out and still take a few scores. All too often we've seen Offaly hurling teams be held scoreless for 15 minute spells in recent years - the winning of this game will be ensuring that when Wexford do have their 15 mins on top, they end up winning it 0-5 to 0-3, and then we get a goal with the next ball.
Freetaking will be big here too. I hope Carroll has been hitting an extra few dozen frees for the last few weeks - I'll be surprised if they aren't the winning, or God Help Us, losing of the game.
I can foresee a Rory/Ger switch early enough in this game. Quigley is not Henry Shefflin by any means, but he's an awkward customer and he takes stopping - I'd hate to see Rory being negated by having to look after him. On the other hand Ger could close him out just as effectively, and let Rory play with a bit more freedom at seven.
I can't help but being worried. We have great potential, but they have a much more proven championship pedigree, albeit at a moderate level. We will have rough spells, but we need to be able to ride them out and still take a few scores. All too often we've seen Offaly hurling teams be held scoreless for 15 minute spells in recent years - the winning of this game will be ensuring that when Wexford do have their 15 mins on top, they end up winning it 0-5 to 0-3, and then we get a goal with the next ball.
Freetaking will be big here too. I hope Carroll has been hitting an extra few dozen frees for the last few weeks - I'll be surprised if they aren't the winning, or God Help Us, losing of the game.