www.uibhfhaili.com

I think we have to beat Westmeath to win this and at this moment, they are still ahead of us.
I would say it is wide open and would think that the likes of Clare could make an impact.
Our atitude should not be in question at this point but lets see what the draw looks like.

Clare won't be in it as they reached the Munster final, i'd agree that Westmeath will have a major say in it as will Kildare and Sligo, but our lads have proved that on thier day they shouldn't fear any of those teams

As tends to happen most years, a few guys have left the panel. Most notably, Nigel Dunne.

Never easy to be on the fringes of panels, and how Offaly has used subs extremely sparingly, you can understand players frustrations. Lads seem to want to go back to their clubs and play league games rather than sit on the sidelines every week.

Who else has left? Will it be a case that lads will be called in? I remember a game a few years ago where we couldn’t fill the bench.

ruletheroost wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 11:47 am As tends to happen most years, a few guys have left the panel. Most notably, Nigel Dunne.

Never easy to be on the fringes of panels, and how Offaly has used subs extremely sparingly, you can understand players frustrations. Lads seem to want to go back to their clubs and play league games rather than sit on the sidelines every week.

He drops off the panel every year. Why bother joining in the first place? Isn't he "Offaly Gaa football coordinator" or something? Strange to have this roll and walk off the panel because of a lack of game time. Surely players know what the set up is when they join.

Wingbackassassin wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 3:00 pm He drops off the panel every year. Why bother joining in the first place? Isn't he "Offaly Gaa football coordinator" or something? Strange to have this roll and walk off the panel because of a lack of game time. Surely players know what the set up is when they join.

Personal opinion obviously, but I think that's very harsh. He lays out the reasons why he stepped away here - https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2025/ ... ly-career/ - and there is absolutely zero bitterness about no playing time in Navan, despite the fact that many people - myself included - found it surprising that a player like Sawyer was given a ten minute cameo instead of Nigel.

He's had his arguments and disagreements with managers down the years, but it was always with regard to football matters. I'd say he'd be the first to admit there might have been times he over-reacted too, but it generally came from the right motivation. You won't find any manager or coach who had issues with Nigel in terms of his lifestyle, his preparation, anything like that. I've never been in a dressing room with him but generally he's a friendly, outgoing individual that I would imagine would be a positive influence in a young panel, and any of the chats I've had with some of the younger footballers would echo that.

In terms of drafting lads in, at this stage of proceedings, you'd have to imagine that the only on-field playing time would go to the guys that have been there from the start of training. Logically the thing to do would be to bring in enough of the U-20s to make up numbers for in-house training games etc., giving them a feel for what the next level is like, but to pick your 26 from the players that have put in the hard yards all along, barring someone like Declan Hogan was recovered from injury and fit to rejoin the panel, someone like that would be a different story of course.

Wingbackassassin wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 3:00 pm

ruletheroost wrote: ↑Mon Apr 28, 2025 11:47 am As tends to happen most years, a few guys have left the panel. Most notably, Nigel Dunne.

Never easy to be on the fringes of panels, and how Offaly has used subs extremely sparingly, you can understand players frustrations. Lads seem to want to go back to their clubs and play league games rather than sit on the sidelines every week.

He drops off the panel every year. Why bother joining in the first place? Isn't he "Offaly Gaa football coordinator" or something? Strange to have this roll and walk off the panel because of a lack of game time. Surely players know what the set up is when they join.

With respect surely you'd have read what he said before posting nonsense!! Great servant down the years and a great inside forward. Owes nothin to team or supporters.

Decent article on Nigel Dunne
Had his issues but a good player and gave his all.
Thanks Nigel.

Good servant and a nice lad. Owes us nothing and he’s putting it back in in regards to coaching.
Fair play Nigel

Nigel has given great service to Offaly and for the span of his career, success was usually a distant prospect.

The recent challenges he's been facing in keeping up and the physical toll it exerts on the body are clear. This may be missed by the outsider. He is being extremely modest in thinking he is taking the place of a younger prospect. A lot of sports players are the opposite.

Anyone who knows Nigel and his mentality will realise he was frustrated with not playing. He knows deep down he had something to offer for 10 or 15 minutes in those last 2 big games, and when it didn't happen, he decided to hang up his inter-county boots. He's not going to come out and say that for obvious reasons, but deep down, that's what he was thinking.

A brilliant player, gifted with both feet and excellent from dead balls. Will still be a big thorn for a lot of sides at club level for another few years, I have no doubt.

ruletheroost wrote: ↑Tue Apr 29, 2025 10:57 am Anyone who knows Nigel and his mentality will realise he was frustrated with not playing. He knows deep down he had something to offer for 10 or 15 minutes in those last 2 big games, and when it didn't happen, he decided to hang up his inter-county boots. He's not going to come out and say that for obvious reasons, but deep down, that's what he was thinking.

A brilliant player, gifted with both feet and excellent from dead balls. Will still be a big thorn for a lot of sides at club level for another few years, I have no doubt.

Nice of you to speak up on his behalf

ruletheroost wrote: ↑Tue Apr 29, 2025 10:57 am Anyone who knows Nigel and his mentality will realise he was frustrated with not playing. He knows deep down he had something to offer for 10 or 15 minutes in those last 2 big games, and when it didn't happen, he decided to hang up his inter-county boots. He's not going to come out and say that for obvious reasons, but deep down, that's what he was thinking.

A brilliant player, gifted with both feet and excellent from dead balls. Will still be a big thorn for a lot of sides at club level for another few years, I have no doubt.

An outrageous comment, purporting to speak on another persons behalf and in direct contradiction of a public statement the persons themselves have just issued. This comment should be withdrawn and an apology issued.

Well done to Nigel on his career and his very magnanimous and gracious statement.

The possibilities of the TC for tomorrow’s draw.

Guaranteed at home in R1, away in R2 and neutral in R3.

I’d hope to avoid London for a third year in a row, despite the possible away day in London.

Not sure how anyone can look at that potential opposition and say we are better off in the Tailteann cup, throw in Saturday mid day throw in times and tiny crowds along with pub team opposition a waste of everybody’s time