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Very good performance all round. Great work rate in tackles and rucks from our lads. Big improvement in physicality. Good use of the ball, and touch looked sharp. Killian Sampson really good. Onwards and upwards.

With two of those games vs dublin and Waterford it's a tough task

Not the end of the world with a developing team if we are in 1B in 2026.

2 really decent teams will be coming down from 1A for some quality games.

As an aside, are 2 teams being relegated from 1B into Division 2?

Edit - I just found out that is the case. So as things stand Laois and Westmeath would be replaced by Down and Meath.

Also it seems that there is a Division 1B final which I preusme will be a curtain raiser to the 1A final. A double edged sword with championship starting 2 weeks after.

Couldn’t really find much fault in that performance today won scrappy ball won our own ball and won back the ball

Our half forward line look to be playing around the middle , well Dan bourke and Oisin Kelly were

As Johnny Kelly said there’s now competition for places something Offaly hasn’t had in years

Our shot accuracy is a lot better I know few wides were hit towards the end but the game was over

I’d love to know what Tactic Davy fitz was trying looked a terrible way to try and play Antrim had frees in front of goal and they passed them short they will be a different team come championship you’d expect

Full value for the win and mostly positive. The only thing I’d like to see is us scoring a few more goals as we’ll need them in tighter games. Had 2 or 3 more goal chances again today that we really should have put away.

A few Antrim fans behind me less than complimentary about Davy Fitz

The competition for places is really going to be fascinating if all our players fit.

Looking for a starting place would be Screeney,Kiely,Coneeley,Cahill, Nally, King to name a few.

Brilliant to see such a squad developing.

Brecon Kavanagh and Ter Guinan could also come into the reckoning as the year progresses and the ground hardens up.

Watched the game again on TG4 Player. Several of the younger players are really finding their feet at senior level, and there were excellent performances from Brian Duignan and Killian Sampson, among the more established players. Colin Spain and Cathal King is a hugely promising midfield pairing for years to come, combining skill, pace, work rate and intelligent ball into the inside forwards. Donal Shirley is developing into a fine player. Oisin Kelly was immense today, such a strong and direct player. A very positive performance all round from our lads, and we are probably in bonus territory from here on in. Yes, 4 points might well mean promotion, and it’s the games against Dublin and Waterford that will tell us just how much we have progressed. After today, I’m optimistic, but also realistic … another year in 1B would not be the end of the world, but a win against either of the Blues would get us to the top table ahead of schedule.
Isn’t it great to be looking up again as Offaly supporters.

I was proud of Offaly today. Really intelligent performance. Disciplined too. Well organised on the Antrim puckout. Brilliant work ethics, so many Offaly scores came from turnovers. Offaly hurling just doesn't function without the work rate. Other counties may function well without hard work, Offaly's doesn't.

That said, I can't help thinking there was a huge element of rope a dope about Antrim. Their half-back line was dragged up the field so many times - like no half-back line ever was before - that it must have been a ploy of theirs. But that's their business.

But, great to be returning to Croke Park in a good place. It'll be a step up, but that's fine. Croke Park will suit Offaly. Can't wait, really.

Aye. Shocking the way Offaly are showing a bit of positivity. Down with that sort of thing!

private joker wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 4:54 pm With two of those games vs dublin and Waterford it's a tough task

Davy had Waterford doing the same. Half back line playing way up the pitch.

progress has been great . moving up the rankings at a nice pace. not long ago we were struggling to beat sligo lads. remember that.

The only ones that let us down yesterday were our supporters. Disappointing turnout but maybe to be expected with the rugby on.

Fantastic performance by the lads, they deserve full backing from the Faithful followers now.

frankthetank wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2025 6:15 pm
Also it seems that there is a Division 1B final which I preusme will be a curtain raiser to the 1A final. A double edged sword with championship starting 2 weeks after.

Not assuming we’re playing in this game, but it seems a bit pointless. Both of the teams are already going up. Let the standings determine the champion. With the championship coming down the tracks, such a game is a big distraction.

I would be of the opinion that whatever 2 teams make it will use it as an opportunity to test their panel depth.