Page 3 of 3
Re: Offaly Minor Hurling 2026
Posted: Sun May 17, 2026 3:52 pm
by Anon444
An overall disappointing 2 year term for Carroll and his management team. I think the expectation was that he would step up and replace Leo O’Connor for the 20s, but that idea or thought should really be shelved now. It’s crucial that the underage teams coming are managed well and that we get competitive teams. Nobody is expecting us to win Leinsters, but we need to target being competitive with the supposed big 4 in Leinster at underage.
Re: Offaly Minor Hurling 2026
Posted: Sun May 17, 2026 5:03 pm
by private joker
Were this group managed badly? Was there much if any expectation other than what occurred? Not sure in the coming years there be much improvement.
Re: Offaly Minor Hurling 2026
Posted: Sun May 17, 2026 5:48 pm
by Hasselhoff
Where are we going wrong.
We have the development squads and faithful fields.
How can we replicate the success of the successful under 20s team.
We have gone from winning an all Ireland to not even being able to compete in Leinster.
Re: Offaly Minor Hurling 2026
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 12:16 am
by Anon444
I would have thought this team would have been capable of more. There are a lot of decent hurlers there, probably not capable of replicating previous teams’ successes, but they were capable of at least getting into tier 1.
I’m blue in the face saying that the most important thing for our underage teams are to be competitive. To do this, the number 1 focus should be getting good coaches in. I’m not sure there was any evidence of good coaching, tactics, gameplans, etc. for the last 2 years. Playing against a very decent Westmeath side with a traditional 15 on 15 when they had a gale at their backs, while also resorting to driving the ball from way out, was really alarming for me.
It’s important that the next manager isn’t rigid with their tactics. Not sure who it will be though, I doubt many will put themselves forward.
Re: Offaly Minor Hurling 2026
Posted: Mon May 18, 2026 10:16 am
by GreenandYella
Anon444 wrote: ↑Mon May 18, 2026 12:16 am
I would have thought this team would have been capable of more. There are a lot of decent hurlers there, probably not capable of replicating previous teams’ successes, but they were capable of at least getting into tier 1.
I’m blue in the face saying that the most important thing for our underage teams are to be competitive. To do this, the number 1 focus should be getting good coaches in. I’m not sure there was any evidence of good coaching, tactics, gameplans, etc. for the last 2 years. Playing against a very decent Westmeath side with a traditional 15 on 15 when they had a gale at their backs, while also resorting to driving the ball from way out, was really alarming for me.
It’s important that the next manager isn’t rigid with their tactics. Not sure who it will be though, I doubt many will put themselves forward.
From the games I was at there was no tactics, no gameplan. Old school man on man. And we saw how that went. Has he a 2 or 3 year term? if 3 I'd be calling it now. This group wasn't as good as others but should have enough to be in Tier 1 and beat Antrim. Losing to Westmeath was very diappointing also. Throw in a hammering by Laois last year and it has been a n abysmal 2 years at minor level.
The appointments at 20s and minor are vital to get right. Carroll can't be allowed near either.
Re: Offaly Minor Hurling 2026
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2026 7:19 am
by faithfulfanatic
Edenderry beat Kilcormac 5-17 to 3-11 in first round of minor hurling championship last night!
Some other shocks aswell with Clara/Brosna Gaels beating Ballinamere Durrow 5-17 to 1-17 and Na Fianna beating CRCC 1-16 to 1-9.
Re: Offaly Minor Hurling 2026
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2026 7:33 am
by frankthetank
Unfortunately not quite the shock it seems at first glance.
K/K have entered 2 Minor teams this year. And the one who played Na Fianna is their 2nd team.
Na Fianna seem to be making huge strides and by all accounts they currently have the best under 12 and under 13 teams in the county.
Re: Offaly Minor Hurling 2026
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2026 8:24 am
by faithfulfanatic
frankthetank wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2026 7:33 am
Unfortunately not quite the shock it seems at first glance.
K/K have entered 2 Minor teams this year. And the one who played Na Fianna is their 2nd team.
Na Fianna seem to be making huge strides and by all accounts they currently have the best under 12 and under 13 teams in the county.
Ah I was wondering!
That’s quite a worrying state of affairs that Kilcormac can field 2 minor teams, when you have Clareen, Drumcullen, Kinnitty, Lusmagh, Carrig, Crinkill, Coolderry, Shinrone, Ballyskenach, Clara, Brosna Gaels all unable to field teams on their own.
Re: Offaly Minor Hurling 2026
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2026 1:57 pm
by frankthetank
Over the last number of years they have been fielding 2 teams in the U15/16 grade. This is the 1st time they have entered 2 minor teams to the best of my knowledge.
Just as a refresher they have won:
The last 6 Under 20 championships
6 of the last 7 minor championships.
In Offaly no club can hope to compete with that level of player coming through.
Re: Offaly Minor Hurling 2026
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2026 3:03 pm
by private joker
Kk have a huge catchment area and have the situation where the numbers are big and it's all focused on hurling.
Also, the club seems to be ran well and no obvious internal fighting.
Just on the minor and u20 front. Any word who will step in for Leo o connor? Any word on the u20 front?.
I assume Brian caroll is staying on at minor this late stage?.
Re: Offaly Minor Hurling 2026
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2026 9:39 pm
by bracknaghboy
faithfulfanatic wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2026 7:19 am
Edenderry beat Kilcormac 5-17 to 3-11 in first round of minor hurling championship last night.
G'wan the town!
Yeah it was K/K's 2nd team alright but still a decent result for Edenderry.
I had the privilege of seeing Joe Furey in action recently and my God this fella is something else.
I could be wrong but to me he looks a ln even more rounded version of Adam Screeney. I'll be killed for saying that no doubt but he looks to have it all.
Edenderry will be one to watch at adult level.over the next 5 years. I can see them Senior B. Furey will drive them on.
Re: Offaly Minor Hurling 2026
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:59 pm
by frankthetank
Joe Furey is an absolutely prodigious player.
As BB has alluded to I also am genuinely more excited about his development than Adam Screeney. He has more physical attributes than Adam. He can really cover ground and is very athletic. Aswell as having beautiful balance and a lovely striker of a ball.
Of course the chap is still U16 this year. And by all accounts is liighting up that championship from midfield for Edenderry.
I wouldn’t be as optimistic that Edenderry can bridge the gap to becoming a Senior B team but they definitely should be aiming to win the Junior A in the next few years and attempt to consolidate at Intermediate.