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I hate to be a Me Too-er but I have to agree with nearly everything kinnittyman says - bar I would try David Franks at Wing Forward or Midfield.

I know David Franks has been at corner back for Offaly for a long time but I think that's just because we don't have many naturals at that position - I much prefer Franks out the field. Brendan O'Meara is an automatic selection in my book and I'd like to see Michael Verney of Birr at No. 4.

Every time I see Kinnitty I'm impressed by Stephen Molloy. He's definitely worth a look.

Bord na Mona Man made a case a few months back for overlooked Club players to get a look in rather than always adding a few off the Offaly Under 21 team to the Offaly winter squad - Stephen Molloy would definitely be a good bet.

on joe brady.the reason he gets moved around a lot is because he gets a chance everywhere, other lads would be taken off straight away. Without any doubt he is a very good club hurler but not county,lack of speed and mobility. But he could come in useful full-forward as he did in the drawn county final.
On the subject of forwards for offaly you can go club by club and see who you`v got
Birr: D.Hayden G.Hanniffy S.Browne and i would have mentioned dd but his lost his place so not sure what his form is like
Coolderry: B.Carroll J.Brady i think damian murray cant win his own ball so didnt include him.
Banagher: D.Horan is a prospect but not yet,he was very poor in minor final K.Kelly is always good for a few points
Clareen: J.Bergin one or two other good ballwinners but not disciplined enough.
Belmont:A.Egan maybe D.Kenny
KK: C.Slevin M.Leonard only maybe`s
Lusmagh: i suppose Hanrahan but didnt see them hurl much this year
Shinrone: E.bevans
Shamrocks: D.Molloy S.Delaney


at the moment i dont think drumcullen kinnitty tullamore skenagh or any intermediate teams can add much (apart from murphy if he gets back form)

Joe Brady has prob been one of the most consistent centre back in club hurling over the last few yrs, cant understand Coolderrys persistance with playing him full-forward. he is there to win high ball, but yet never sems to do just that! R Hannify is our no1 choice in the no6 position & rightly so( but do we need him in the forwards or midfield??), however is Brady worth a prolonged league spell there? hes never really got a chance down through the years.
I think midfield and centre forwad are our main problem areas.
Diggy does not seem to be up it ( too fond of the gargle), savge talent wasted in my view!!
B whelehan is very consitent at club level, could still do a job, playing a defensive role at midfield, providing much needed cover to the backline.
Murphy is just mind-boggling.. what has happened him?? captaincy certainly didnt suit him ( prob R hannify??)
Hayden & Carroll both worth a try out there.. certainly to get them into games, even if you dont start them there..
Hanrahan seesm to worry about himself too much and his man, not preparede to help out others or cover for them!

need to add..
is joe bergin a viable option at centre back? very good 4clareen there all yr! i know ur takin him out of the forwards, but maybe a direct swap with R Hannify?
newcomers woth a try are Verney at corner back& derek molloy at corner or wing forward.

I definitley agree with you LS that our biggest problem is the fact that we cant seem to retain possession in our forwards to give our backs some breathing space. They are always under savage pressure.

With regards Fergal Kealey he isnt county standard and has lost a lot of form this year while his fouling rate has gone up. I dont think James Rigney is going to be able make the step up to senior inter-county but he is an excellent club hurler for us. Stephen Molloy has come on in leaps and bounds and is as brave and honest as they come. Basically the opposite to Damien Murray. Much better option in the forwards than Declan Tanner. For what its worth the five Kinnitty hurlers who were invited to Offal trials were Stephen Molloy, Paddy Whelan, Richie McRedmond, James Rigney and Noel Ryan. Ive no idea how they got on but i was amazed to see Richie and Noel called in. Richie had a poor year and Ryan didnt start one chamopionship game all year.

On a different note nice to see we've a double header to attend in Portlaoise on June 10 providing we get over Laois. The football semi against Dublin surely has to b a stand alone fixture in Croke Park though to cater for the crowd. Dubs would fill it on their own.

I'm aware that I was potentially out of date since I didn't get to see much club hurling this year - I was suggesting Kealey based on 2005 when he did impress me, but I'd certainly defer to those more in touch than me. Certainly the five players you named suggests that management was being very careful to exclude no one, or else taking pot shots in the dark, one or the other.

I'd say Verney will get a run this year, and I would be very adamant that if Franks can play wing forward, our need there is greater than the corners. Finally regarding centre back, my thoughts would be that I'd love Brady to get a sustained run there for Coolderry, and then in time for Rory Hanniffy to move out to wing back where he could hurl a little more. I expect to see Dan Hoctor get a lot more playing time this year, and deservedly so too, he's an outside bet for the six shirt too in my eyes.