Behindthegoal wrote: ↑Tue Apr 29, 2025 4:12 pm
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
Of course we aren’t better off in it but it’s where we are. I’d rather the TC than a few shitty qualifier games.
It’s a process and it’s a means to an end. Win it and we play Sam Maguire. Survive in D2 next year and we are in Sam Maguire. Get to a Leinster Final and we are in Sam Maguire.
This team is only starting out and it is where we belong for now. It’s not too long since we lost to many of those teams (Wexford, London, Antrim, Limerick) so we can’t say we have a god given right to Sam Maguire.
It’s a building process and it needs to be given respect from ALL our supporters. We need to aim to win it and we need a crowd in Tullamore in a few weeks. Complaining about it won’t help the team in any way. Let’s actually get to Croker again and get more silverware (which is all too rare at senior football in Offaly)
I see according to the express that both Jack O'Brien and Kevin McDermott have both left the panel also.
Whatever about Nigel opting out at this stage, surely these lads especially O'Brien who got plenty of time last year should be seeing the year out.
I know that these guys don't have to play, but there needs to be a level of committment to see out the year given the investment that goes into these players, (gear, food, physio, expenses etc).
I think that at the core of the issue is the lack of availability to squad players to their clubs. most clubs have played 4 league games and most of these guys have played none with them. At least that would offer these lads a chance to play a couple of matches.
Last weekend a few lads were released and it was obvious that they suffered due to lack of game time.
Kevin and Jack are good lads but another few weeks would not have been too much and keep the pressure on the rest of the lads, ultimately thats what you sign up for. with the hope that you are deemed good enough.
A huge drawback to the split season is the limited amount of challenge matches that can be got for players to keep them up to speed, (squad players that is). Hard to stay when not getting game time, but hard to progress without getting the 3 year block of S&C that many lads need to get up to speed and that will hinder our progression in the future I think. Some access to clubs for squad players would help.
ah lethimoutwithit wrote: ↑Tue Apr 29, 2025 5:28 pm
I see according to the express that both Jack O'Brien and Kevin McDermott have both left the panel also.
Whatever about Nigel opting out at this stage, surely these lads especially O'Brien who got plenty of time last year should be seeing the year out.
I know that these guys don't have to play, but there needs to be a level of committment to see out the year given the investment that goes into these players, (gear, food, physio, expenses etc).
I think that at the core of the issue is the lack of availability to squad players to their clubs. most clubs have played 4 league games and most of these guys have played none with them. At least that would offer these lads a chance to play a couple of matches.
Last weekend a few lads were released and it was obvious that they suffered due to lack of game time.
Kevin and Jack are good lads but another few weeks would not have been too much and keep the pressure on the rest of the lads, ultimately thats what you sign up for. with the hope that you are deemed good enough.
A huge drawback to the split season is the limited amount of challenge matches that can be got for players to keep them up to speed, (squad players that is). Hard to stay when not getting game time, but hard to progress without getting the 3 year block of S&C that many lads need to get up to speed and that will hinder our progression in the future I think. Some access to clubs for squad players would help.
Great point here about club league games. It’s been an issue for years. Lads that aren’t making the 26 need to be released for league games. They need competitive minutes. You can play all the training and in house games you want but nothing beats playing a full competitive game. It was great to see lads released last weekend. It needs to happen more.
Fear Uibh wrote: ↑Wed Apr 30, 2025 2:27 pm
well lads what's your thought's on the Tailtean cup Draw? all winnable games. toughest one for me is possibly Wicklow.
I think if we don’t take it seriously we are capable of losing them all. It’s the only thing left for us to win. Hoping we go for it with everything we have. The reward for winning is worth the effort.
Kevin Clancey. Signed out of respect for players and all involved with Offaly.
Probably slightly harder than it looks
I'm trying to figure out were we will play Loais that is neutral ground.
Kildare ?
Should toss a coin and get a decent crowd
Superhans75 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 30, 2025 6:10 pm
Probably slightly harder than it looks
I'm trying to figure out were we will play Loais that is neutral ground.
Kildare ?
Should toss a coin and get a decent crowd
Both county boards should be getting on about this immediately. There's no point predicting an attendance for a game where we've no idea how interested the two teams would be, but Offaly would much prefer to play in Portlaoise than any other possible venue outside of Tullamore, and I'd imagine Laois would feel the same about OCP. Newbridge on a Saturday afternoon is a headache no-one wants.
Kevin Egan. Signed out of respect for players and all involved with Offaly.
If anyone was listening to Game ON on 2fm, Nigel Dunne was interviewed and came across incredibly well and very honest.
He essentially retired after the Down game in Tailteann last year and was convinced to stay on for this year by Kelly. Harte obviously added and extra layer to that.
He had nothing but praise for management and was very keen to see young players get more opportunities instead of him.
Fear Uibh wrote: ↑Wed Apr 30, 2025 2:27 pm
well lads what's your thought's on the Tailtean cup Draw? all winnable games. toughest one for me is possibly Wicklow.
It's probably straight forward enough, if we want to win this competition and we go at it, we beat Waterford with ease and have a little to spare over wicklow and laois. If we aren't bothered with it (and I suspect we won't be unfortunately) we will lose to wicklow and laois and possible scrape over Waterford because they are just that awful. It'll be all or nothing. Let's just hope it's all
Superhans75 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 30, 2025 6:10 pm
Probably slightly harder than it looks
I'm trying to figure out were we will play Loais that is neutral ground.
Kildare ?
Should toss a coin and get a decent crowd
Both county boards should be getting on about this immediately. There's no point predicting an attendance for a game where we've no idea how interested the two teams would be, but Offaly would much prefer to play in Portlaoise than any other possible venue outside of Tullamore, and I'd imagine Laois would feel the same about OCP. Newbridge on a Saturday afternoon is a headache no-one wants.
Absolutely. A coin toss here is the sensible option. No need to drag the 250 supporters who might go to Newbridge.
Fear Uibh wrote: ↑Wed Apr 30, 2025 2:27 pm
well lads what's your thought's on the Tailtean cup Draw? all winnable games. toughest one for me is possibly Wicklow.
It's probably straight forward enough, if we want to win this competition and we go at it, we beat Waterford with ease and have a little to spare over wicklow and laois. If we aren't bothered with it (and I suspect we won't be unfortunately) we will lose to wicklow and laois and possible scrape over Waterford because they are just that awful. It'll be all or nothing. Let's just hope it's all
From listening to Mickey Harte previously he seems to be up for it and he’ll surely bring that to the players and get the right response. Other side of coin, do they want a repeat of London last year which would be Waterford.
I'm sorry but why the hell wouldn't we be up for it?
Winning it might be our only way of gaining promotion to Sam Maguire for 2026.
It's very possible, if not outright likely, that we'll be relegated out of Division 2 next year and thus, depending on the permutations, miss out on Sam Maguire via that route. Like Westmeath this year.
So, as great and all as gaining promotion to Division 2 is - it mightn't be worth a damn in the long run.
Everything hinges on the Taitleann Cup - our championship. If we somehow think we're above it, then we deserve to stay in it forever.
The taliteann cup is good idea that needs a few twirks.
No neutral venues till semi finals
We're in gods names is a neutral venue between Antrim and London
The isle of Man ???
Mind you with Parnall Park out of action
It's going to get silly.
Maybe invite Warwickshire and Kilkenny in
It will not be to long before Hertfordshire
Gaa become as big as London some serious work going on there at junior level let them play the Lowest ranked teams bung in new York so they all get some competitive games
Then invite the top 4into the taliteann cup and have simple last 16 knockout.
I know it would delay the competition but only buy a fortnight..
Just a fairer proposal.
Offaly Hero wrote: ↑Wed Apr 30, 2025 9:42 pm
I'm sorry but why the hell wouldn't we be up for it?
Winning it might be our only way of gaining promotion to Sam Maguire for
This !
Kevin Clancey. Signed out of respect for players and all involved with Offaly.
!