Offaly Senior Hurlers 2025

[Doon Exile]

A Dublin win next weekend vs Carlow and Offaly are promoted.

Yes and the added bonus is we’ll be able to rest the u20’s for the Waterford game

That won't happen. Priority is senior.

If Dublin beat Carlow then the Waterford game is a dead rubber for us so the wider squad will be given game time and u20’s will be rested. Simple as.

[joe123]

It's nowhere near "U-20 versus senior, as simple as that". You're not comparing like with like here. Of course it's a league title we haven't won since God knows when, because it's a league title that has hardly ever existed. Clare won it in 2012, Dublin in 2013, and that's it. That's the only two occasions there was a Division 1B "final".

Nobody's talking about the Leinster championship here, so comparisons with a Joe McDonagh knockout game don't make any sense. 100%, when we roll into May and there are U-20 championship games being played within a few days of Leinster championship, there will be conversations that will have to take place.

Likewise, if it's three weeks' time and we still need a result in Waterford to be sure of promotion, playing the U-20s has to be on the table. But if we're guaranteed promotion by the time that comes around, or for a league final that means nothing in the greater scheme of things?

Thankfully Johnny Kelly can see sense here.

It's a senior title and don't forget u20 grade hasn't been around all that long either.. of course if Waterford game is dead rubber the u20s get a rest because it may not be as competitive but for a league final and chance to win a national title at senior level it simply has to take priority. A league final that means nothing in the greater scheme of things? Really? You don't think that a competitive league final against Waterford will be a huge benefit to us come championship and bring the u20 lads on more for senior championship?

And as far as I'm concerned there will be no need for conversations in May, the 60 hour rule is in place? You'll be ok with one of our senior starters playing an u20 championship match and then missing senior championship a few days later?

[greenairfield]

Joey LS is 100% correct division 1B title means feck all promotion is key they secured that

[joe123]

Joey LS is 100% correct division 1B title means feck all promotion is key they secured that

Ok so you are saying a competitive senior final against Waterford who competed well in munster last year won't benefit the team and particularly the u20 lads and prep them for Leinster championship? I think if we have any ambitions at all in leinster to be competitive then a game like that against Waterford where we have our full team and go hammer an tongs at it is very important and particularly for the u20 lads, competitive senior games at this level is so important to prepare for leinster championship.

[Lone Shark]

Joey LS is 100% correct division 1B title means feck all promotion is key they secured that

Ok so you are saying a competitive senior final against Waterford who competed well in munster last year won't benefit the team and particularly the u20 lads and prep them for Leinster championship? I think if we have any ambitions at all in leinster to be competitive then a game like that against Waterford where we have our full team and go hammer an tongs at it is very important and particularly for the u20 lads, competitive senior games at this level is so important to prepare for leinster championship.

Of course that game will benefit the team. Playing time in good games benefits all players, but between U-20 and senior, on the first weekend of April, there are 1,950 playing minutes to be allocated, not including injury time, and any red/black cards. That's 900 for the U-20s against Galway (15*60) and 1,050 for the seniors against (presumably) Waterford, 15*70. Now those are two excellent games. Galway U-20s should be very good, it wasn't far off two Galway schools reaching the Croke Cup final, and I suspect that the Presentation Athenry team that did make it, will win the final with a little bit to spare. Three years ago at minor, Galway's All-Ireland semi-final loss to Tipperary was an outstanding game and very close, and then you have their 2023 minors, who were outstanding all year before making a mess of the final against Clare.

So there are 1,950 good playing minutes to be allocated. By giving Dan Ravenhill, James Mahon, Donal Shirley etc their minutes against Galway, it frees up the Waterford game to give game time to the likes of Sam Bourke, DJ McLoughlin, Eoghan Cahill and Jack Clancy to get playing time as well, which will be of much more value to Johnny Kelly in the Leinster championship than seeing the minutes go to the fringe lads on the U-20 side.

The Summer is different, and that's a conversation for down the road. I know where I stand (U-20s should play U-20 and try to give the kids of the county another rollercoaster year, rather than lining out in games against Galway and Kilkenny where their presence will more than likely just affect the winning margin) but I completely accept that when it comes to the likes of the Wexford and Antrim games, it's a different debate. But right now, with regard to the two games against Waterford? 100%, and without a shadow of doubt, those U-20s should not tog out. We've plenty of lads aged 21 and older that are well capable of acquitting themselves very well, and quite feasibly winning one or two of those matches.

[Wing Back]

Of course that game will benefit the team. Playing time in good games benefits all players, but between U-20 and senior, on the first weekend of April, there are 1,950 playing minutes to be allocated, not including injury time, and any red/black cards. That's 900 for the U-20s against Galway (15*60) and 1,050 for the seniors against (presumably) Waterford, 15*70. Now those are two excellent games. Galway U-20s should be very good, it wasn't far off two Galway schools reaching the Croke Cup final, and I suspect that the Presentation Athenry team that did make it, will win the final with a little bit to spare. Three years ago at minor, Galway's All-Ireland semi-final loss to Tipperary was an outstanding game and very close, and then you have their 2023 minors, who were outstanding all year before making a mess of the final against Clare.

So there are 1,950 good playing minutes to be allocated. By giving Dan Ravenhill, James Mahon, Donal Shirley etc their minutes against Galway, it frees up the Waterford game to give game time to the likes of Sam Bourke, DJ McLoughlin, Eoghan Cahill and Jack Clancy to get playing time as well, which will be of much more value to Johnny Kelly in the Leinster championship than seeing the minutes go to the fringe lads on the U-20 side.

The Summer is different, and that's a conversation for down the road. I know where I stand (U-20s should play U-20 and try to give the kids of the county another rollercoaster year, rather than lining out in games against Galway and Kilkenny where their presence will more than likely just affect the winning margin) but I completely accept that when it comes to the likes of the Wexford and Antrim games, it's a different debate. But right now, with regard to the two games against Waterford? 100%, and without a shadow of doubt, those U-20s should not tog out. We've plenty of lads aged 21 and older that are well capable of acquitting themselves very well, and quite feasibly winning one or two of those matches.

I fully agree with LS. I actually want the non under 20 lads getting game time against Waterford and potentially Waterford again in a League final. They will 100% be needed in Leinster championship as games will be coming thick and fast. Can't expect all the 5 or 6 current U20s to hurl every 3 or 4 days around that time. At least if we have lads with decent minutes against decent opposition, it gives us more options. Our ultimate aim should be playing as well as we can and staying in Leinster championship, and that means having options especially when fixtures will pile up, with suspensions, injury and form all things we will encounter. Its about options. I don't care about winning 1B if I'm honest, I'm very content with promotion and shifting focus then.

[joe123]

Joey LS is 100% correct division 1B title means feck all promotion is key they secured that

Ok so you are saying a competitive senior final against Waterford who competed well in munster last year won't benefit the team and particularly the u20 lads and prep them for Leinster championship? I think if we have any ambitions at all in leinster to be competitive then a game like that against Waterford where we have our full team and go hammer an tongs at it is very important and particularly for the u20 lads, competitive senior games at this level is so important to prepare for leinster championship.

Of course that game will benefit the team. Playing time in good games benefits all players, but between U-20 and senior, on the first weekend of April, there are 1,950 playing minutes to be allocated, not including injury time, and any red/black cards. That's 900 for the U-20s against Galway (15*60) and 1,050 for the seniors against (presumably) Waterford, 15*70. Now those are two excellent games. Galway U-20s should be very good, it wasn't far off two Galway schools reaching the Croke Cup final, and I suspect that the Presentation Athenry team that did make it, will win the final with a little bit to spare. Three years ago at minor, Galway's All-Ireland semi-final loss to Tipperary was an outstanding game and very close, and then you have their 2023 minors, who were outstanding all year before making a mess of the final against Clare.

So there are 1,950 good playing minutes to be allocated. By giving Dan Ravenhill, James Mahon, Donal Shirley etc their minutes against Galway, it frees up the Waterford game to give game time to the likes of Sam Bourke, DJ McLoughlin, Eoghan Cahill and Jack Clancy to get playing time as well, which will be of much more value to Johnny Kelly in the Leinster championship than seeing the minutes go to the fringe lads on the U-20 side.

The Summer is different, and that's a conversation for down the road. I know where I stand (U-20s should play U-20 and try to give the kids of the county another rollercoaster year, rather than lining out in games against Galway and Kilkenny where their presence will more than likely just affect the winning margin) but I completely accept that when it comes to the likes of the Wexford and Antrim games, it's a different debate. But right now, with regard to the two games against Waterford? 100%, and without a shadow of doubt, those U-20s should not tog out. We've plenty of lads aged 21 and older that are well capable of acquitting themselves very well, and quite feasibly winning one or two of those matches.

To say that the presences of the u20 lads against killenny and galway will only reduce the winning margin and thus they should play with the u20s instead to give the kids another ollercoaster year is silly talk. Imagine anyone in Kilkenny or Galway reading this (And you don't think score difference will be important?) The lack of ambition that would show is outrageous. The most beneficial matches that those u20s this year will have is against Galway and kilkenny and to deny them that chance to play against the best so they can play u20 is ludacris in the extreme. By all means in the dead rubber get game time into other lads but these u20s deserve every chance to play against the best at every opportunity and an opportunity to win something at senior level should be grabbed with both hands. These players are ambitious and you can be sure they'll want to play against the best.. These players will improve by playing against the best and that will be for the good of Offaly hurling going forward and get them ready to play at the top level. And to suggest that the league is a b league is nonsense aswell given Waterfords performance in munster last year and dublin leinster finalists.. the u20 is grand and all and nice to win it but it's primary purpose it development and winning it pales in comparison to playing senior. Our reaction to it is a bit over the top.

[Lone Shark]

the u20 is grand and all and nice to win it but it's primary purpose it development and winning it pales in comparison to playing senior. Our reaction to it is a bit over the top.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but that's where you've lost me completely. The journey that these lads have brought us all on as supporters since 2022 has been incredible, featuring in three consecutive All-Ireland finals and winning Leinster titles each year in magical circumstances.

I mean, the people of Offaly voted with their feet last year. The Joe McDonagh Cup win was incredibly important, and a vital stepping stone - but I know how I felt that day, and I know how I felt in Nowlan Park on the first weekend of June, and there is absolutely no comparison.

100%, there are young boys and girls now who will play for Offaly because they were caught up in the whirlwind of 2022, 2023 and 2024, and who wouldn't have picked up a hurl, or who wouldn't have stuck with it, otherwise. John Condron, who has come on board with some incredibly generous sponsorship this year on behalf of Condron Concrete, comes from GAA royalty but openly stated that it was travelling with his son to the U-20 games last year and seeing the excitement that was generated, was what inspired him to come on board in such a comprehensive way. We have been treated to special occasions that are all too rare for counties of our size, and the fact that those players have been so competitive and successful against the best counties in Ireland shows in how they play for the Offaly seniors now.

Most of all, I'll turn 47 next month, and like most people, there have been some serious ups and downs through my adult life. I'll take the good when it comes and be thankful. I loved the 1990s and have some great memories from that time, but I also didn't have the appreciation of the overall context to understand quite how special and unlikely that was. Fast forward to now, after spending the last quarter of a century watching Offaly teams go through some very hard days, I'm not going to do anything other than be truly grateful for what we've been lucky enough to experience, and continue to experience, and for the people that are training, working and volunteering to bring that about.

In a nutshell, no, our reaction is not over the top.

[bracknaghboy]

If Dublin beat Carlow and Waterfront beat Westmeath this coming weekend I think that confirms a Offaly v Waterford final.
Is there an argument then to be made for the final group game between between the 2 to double up as the 1b final?
Perhaps the county board could at least ask? I suspect it wouldn't be a runner but hey?

[joe123]

the u20 is grand and all and nice to win it but it's primary purpose it development and winning it pales in comparison to playing senior. Our reaction to it is a bit over the top.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but that's where you've lost me completely. The journey that these lads have brought us all on as supporters since 2022 has been incredible, featuring in three consecutive All-Ireland finals and winning Leinster titles each year in magical circumstances.

I mean, the people of Offaly voted with their feet last year. The Joe McDonagh Cup win was incredibly important, and a vital stepping stone - but I know how I felt that day, and I know how I felt in Nowlan Park on the first weekend of June, and there is absolutely no comparison.

100%, there are young boys and girls now who will play for Offaly because they were caught up in the whirlwind of 2022, 2023 and 2024, and who wouldn't have picked up a hurl, or who wouldn't have stuck with it, otherwise. John Condron, who has come on board with some incredibly generous sponsorship this year on behalf of Condron Concrete, comes from GAA royalty but openly stated that it was travelling with his son to the U-20 games last year and seeing the excitement that was generated, was what inspired him to come on board in such a comprehensive way. We have been treated to special occasions that are all too rare for counties of our size, and the fact that those players have been so competitive and successful against the best counties in Ireland shows in how they play for the Offaly seniors now.

Most of all, I'll turn 47 next month, and like most people, there have been some serious ups and downs through my adult life. I'll take the good when it comes and be thankful. I loved the 1990s and have some great memories from that time, but I also didn't have the appreciation of the overall context to understand quite how special and unlikely that was. Fast forward to now, after spending the last quarter of a century watching Offaly teams go through some very hard days, I'm not going to do anything other than be truly grateful for what we've been lucky enough to experience, and continue to experience, and for the people that are training, working and volunteering to bring that about.

In a nutshell, no, our reaction is not over the top.

Don't get me wrong it was great to win it, don't forget we won the u 20 football a few years ago and it's only a bit of a memory now, this will be the same if the senior team isn't going well, young people are less likely to play. A big number of that under 20 squad will not play senior football and no doubt a lot of those lads were and are ambitious, I bet most of them who aren't on the senior team/squad would swap their u20 medals for a regular starting spot with the senior, I know I certainly would.. you made my main point for me when you mentioned how they play with the senior team, they are important. As far as underage development goes, it's job done with these lads and they've in a sense made.. they will now develop at senior level and will do so by playing against the best, and as you said they brought us such joy and on a great journey but you want to deny them the opportunity to play against the best in Kilkenny and Galway so that they can stay playing at a lesser grade for the enjoyment of people in the county.. how about we show some ambition and let the kids go and see them playing with the seniors and winning something with the seniors after their underage development/success. The fact is the senior team needs them and they'll improve with the senior team. And I'm grateful that we won something but it won't be too long before it's a faded memory if we don't improve at senior level.

[Lone Shark]

If Dublin beat Carlow and Waterfront beat Westmeath this coming weekend I think that confirms a Offaly v Waterford final.
Is there an argument then to be made for the final group game between between the 2 to double up as the 1b final?
Perhaps the county board could at least ask? I suspect it wouldn't be a runner but hey?

There's logic to that, but if they didn't do it for the final round of last year's Joe McDonagh, where Offaly went to Down and Meath went to Kerry at great cost to both counties and there was absolutely nothing at stake for anyone, they won't do it here.

[Faithfully]

If Dublin beat Carlow and Waterfront beat Westmeath this coming weekend I think that confirms a Offaly v Waterford final.
Is there an argument then to be made for the final group game between between the 2 to double up as the 1b final?
Perhaps the county board could at least ask? I suspect it wouldn't be a runner but hey?

I'd love if that could happen, but don't think it's a runner.

Worth noting that Dublin are technically alive if they beat Carlow, as there would be the potential for a 3 way tie on 8 points with Dublin, Carlow, Waterford if Offaly beat Waterford on the final day. With that in mind, don't think they'd approve of promotion just being handed to Waterford.

[Lone Shark]

If Dublin beat Carlow and Waterfront beat Westmeath this coming weekend I think that confirms a Offaly v Waterford final.
Is there an argument then to be made for the final group game between between the 2 to double up as the 1b final?
Perhaps the county board could at least ask? I suspect it wouldn't be a runner but hey?

I'd love if that could happen, but don't think it's a runner.

Worth noting that Dublin are technically alive if they beat Carlow, as there would be the potential for a 3 way tie on 8 points with Dublin, Carlow, Waterford if Offaly beat Waterford on the final day. With that in mind, don't think they'd approve of promotion just being handed to Waterford.

That would depend on how Carlow get on in their refixed game against Laois, but yeah, that is true too.

[Anonymous1]

It's a national title vs a first round u20.

It’s a B league vs An A All Ireland Championship

Probably the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard.. its u20 v Senior.. its as simple as that.. heard lads at this nonsense last year as well that they would have preferred an all u 20 leinster/all ireland instead of mcdonagh cup. The mind boggles. Is it glory hunting or what? I dunno. Utter madness.. It's a league title we haven't won since God knows when and we should be doing everything we can to win it. Something needs to be put in place to ensure u20s starting on the senior team are not playing u20 match within a week or Senior Championship or a league final for that matter. Will also give an opportunity to other lads at u20 to get get time and develop, which is the primary goal of u20 to develop players and get them ready for senior, winning along the way is a bonus. The more lads that get game time at top level u20 will be of huge benefit, a lad that might be on the fringes could improve massively with u20 game time and develop. Main goal for Offaly hurling this year is to stay in leinster and be competitive which gives us a platform for the next few years. You get your best team out at senior level to play together and get used to winning together and developing and the more senior games these lads get , the more it will prepare them for Championship this year.

The wind up merchant is back.

Weren’t you telling us all this time last year that the U20’s hadn’t a hope of winning an All Ireland and we should focus on the Joe McDonagh instead?

You went fairly quiet thereafter…

[faithfulfanatic]

I don’t think there has been much actual talk of yesterday’s game.

Firstly, it was always going to be a bit of a slog with Westmeath (and a few back) on a damp sod.
Offaly’s young guns misfired for the most part on the day, aside from Donal Shirley.
Standouts for me were Oisin Kelly, Ben Conneely and David King on introduction.
I also think Ross Ravenhill seems to have matured greatly.
A word also for Mark Troy. He was criticised a good bit here recently but has really stepped up. Made crucial saves against Laois, Antrim and Dublin and made at least 4 good saves yesterday. He also knows when to go long and when a short/medium ball is on.
It was also great to see Offaly with some new puckout variations that I hadn’t noticed before, similar to some of Dublin’s last week.
Against the wind where nothing was on long, Ben Conneely would run in towards the corner forward, creating a basketball screen for Ross Ravenhill to come short at corner back and collect the puckout. We also cleared left half forward position with the wind, making space for wing backs or midfielders to head for a puckout or an out ball.

Westmeath were without Jogger Doyle and Aaron Craig was only introduced, which was their 3-6 axis up to this in the league.
It was great to come out having hurled poor with a 6 point win and still feeling disappointed. For the last 10-15 years we could have hurled well and still not been good enough to win.

I thought the ref had a good enough start to the game before completely going off the rails. I think it was Charlie Mitchell who broke through and had a hurl broke across him with only a tick given, before proceeding to give very soft yellows. Westmeath also picked up some very soft frees in the second half to keep the gap around 3-4.

A Dublin win over Carlow next Saturday will see us up.
A draw should still be ok, provided that Carlow don’t turn over a big scoring difference on us.
I predicted an Antrim win yesterday over Carlow which nearly came to fruition, I think Dublin should have enough with the 6 day turnaround, given the home venue and depth of their squad.

On the league final/u20 dilemma, I can see both sides of the argument.
From an u20 POV, it’s a big game as all ireland champions and Galway’s first ever home game in Leinster underage (open to correction). All 3 teams qualify from the group, so topping the group and being spared a quarter final and going straight to a semi would be beneficial for everyone down the road.
From a senior POV, they want to be winning a national title and giving a Munster side a good crack.
I’d imagine that the answer is already known and my guess would be that they will all hurl Saturday and a couple will be subs on the Sunday (if we get to the league final). It would be a chance to reintroduce Kiely at 6, Sam Bourke/Cantwell (if fit) at corner back, and David Nally/Eoghan Cahill in for Dan Ravenhill. Don’t forget that King, Spain and Dan Bourke are all overage now.

Who would have thought 4 and a half years ago when we lost to down in the Christy ring that we would be arguing whether or not our 19 year old hurlers who are now household names in hurling circles should be played in the first game of their defence of the all ireland or whether they should be saved for a league final against Waterford.

Finally, a word to the great crowd in tullamore yesterday, probably the best crowd for a league game in a long time. Hopefully some of the fair weather fans who followed the 20s get hooked on the seniors now going forward for the year. A full Glenisk O’Connor Park on the 26th of April for the visit of Galway would be something special after the last 10 years.

Long may it last, up the Faithful.