Offaly Senior Hurlers 2025

[frankthetank]

Theres 2 aims really for Offaly in an overall context in this year’s championship.

1) Maintain their place in the Leinster Championship for 2026.

2) Manage to come Top 3 and qualify for All Ireland series.

We’ll know if number 2 is a possibility after Saturday evening. If we lose it’s really all eyes on Antrim after only 1 round.

[ah lethimoutwithit]

Again this game suits Dublin supporters perfectly

6 in the evening no way of getting to the game via public transport even if you planned it out

So it’s either drive or gather a bus

But there’s nothing but glory hunters who wouldn’t go to a game not unless it’s an under 20. Final so a bus is impossible aswel

Surely there will be a decent Offaly crowd in Parnell park, but I take your point. Surely the hurling clubs in particular could bring a bus and get a few kids going?
I'm heading up anyway and looking forward to it. I'll be wary of the Linden Village crew so, and as the wife to pack the Chablis so as not to let the side down and have them call us Biffos!

Just wondering POTH do you have anything against the Dubs or call them anything else like Klare and Leix?

[frankthetank]

I think POTH would be the first to tell you calling the hurlers “The Dubs” is the incorrect term.

They were traditionally known as “The Metropolitans”.

[Géill Slí]

Richie Hogan’s analysis is always fairly brutally honest, and he’s 100% correct tonight when he says individually Offaly have some of the better hurlers, but Dublin will have the edge in strength and physicality. For that reason, Parnell Park will suit Dublin, but I can see our lads giving this one a right go. Agree that the league final vs Waterford will be a real lesson for this team, we just weren’t at the pace of the game at all until 15 minutes from the end, so we need to “tear into them” from the start here. No respect!
Hoping for a big performance and some of our younger players making a real step up: I’m thinking of Dan Bourke, Colin Spain, Cathal King, Donal Shirley, maybe even Adam Screeney.
We have waited a long time to get back into the Leinster championship , hoping we make a mark (and stay in it) over the coming weeks. Anything else is a bonus.

[faithfulfanatic]

Team named.

Only change from last day is David King in for Colin Spain.
Can’t say I’m surprised, David has done very well when coming in and I was surprised he didn’t see more game time in the league.
Colin has struggled a bit in the league and might be suited to coming on here, like in the Joe Mc final last year.
Offaly were overran around the middle in the first half against Dublin in the league and the league final against Waterford, can’t let that happen again.
I’d imagine when under the cosh/against the wind King will sit deeper and Killian Sampson will withdraw to midfield.
James Mahon doesn’t regain his starting place.
Kiely also returns to the bench, Screeney doesn’t.

[frankthetank]

Colin Spain has a lot of positives to his game especially his delivery of ball to his forwards. However a major work-on for him is his ability to track a runner from midfield. This was evident in both his last 2 appearances in Croke Park. I’m sure this will come in time.

David King would be more disciplined in this facet of the game and I’m glad to see him start.

As has been mentioned Colin has the ability to make a huge contribution from the bench.

[first_touch]

Hopefully the Kings will rule midfield!

Colin Spain, with his workrate and energy, could make a big impact off the bench.

[jimbob17]

Really is amazing to see an Offaly senior hurling panel with 8 players from Durrow and six starters from there. With a recent push towards more dominance at underage among North Offaly teams, I'd imagine likes of Tullamore and Clodiagh Gaels are wondering where their talent is disappearing to as they have had some strong players at minor level over last 6 or 7 years or so.

As for Saturday, It is as strong a team as we have i'd say. Could be argument for Kiely coming in to 6 and Shirley in a wing back spot but that is being picky. James Mahon may feel hard done by but he is young enough to have lots more chances and is likely first man up in full back line. David King is a good foil for Cathal King as he is more defensive minded than Spain and it gives some defensive stability, as will Killian Sampson dropping when he needs to. We have fair size and power in there now on that team, particularly in the forwards with Oisin Kelly, Duignan, Ravenhill, Mitchell and Sampson. All are probably over 6 ft, quick, athletic and very strong and are complemented by Dan Bourke who is a super 11, very elusive and will run opposition 6 all over the field if he is tracked. This is as strong a county senior team as we have had in a very long time imo. Hopefully we can scrape a win.....

[G91]

David king would have that bit more experience, it’s great to have some dept on the bench,
We have some big men but they all need to play well
Oisin was out of the league final for long periods same with digan
But you could say that about the hole team

If you have ravehill , digan and Kelly all playing well or close to it we should be well in the game,

I’ve said it previously Offaly needed more competition for places on the entire squad and it’s not because tullamore or anyone has regressed it’s the hunger from other clubs putting in the work recent success is driving on that too.

More competition keeps everyone on their toes

[faithfulfanatic]

Leinster round robin has been played from 2018-2024, with a 2 year break in 2020 and 2021.
Offaly’s only appearance was in 2018.
It has been a 6 team round robin since 2022.

Points needed to finish third:
2024: 5
2023: 6
2022: 6

2019: 6 (5 teams)
2018: 4 (5 teams)

3 results needed to qualify, whether that be 3 wins or else 2 wins and a draw (with favourable score difference/head to head).
If we are to have any aspirations of qualifying, we need a result tomorrow.
Lose tomorrow and suddenly you face into Galway and Kilkenny, already thinking about Antrim on the final day.
Dublin are favourites and deservedly so, but we are in with a fighting chance.

I think we will need a big impact off the bench around the 45-50 minute mark, whether that be Spain, Kiely, Clancy, Cahill, Burke or Nally.

Hoping to see a big Offaly crowd around Dublin 9.
Come on the Faithful!

[Kevin]

Again this game suits Dublin supporters perfectly

6 in the evening no way of getting to the game via public transport even if you planned it out

So it’s either drive or gather a bus

But there’s nothing but glory hunters who wouldn’t go to a game not unless it’s an under 20. Final so a bus is impossible aswel

Surely there will be a decent Offaly crowd in Parnell park, but I take your point. Surely the hurling clubs in particular could bring a bus and get a few kids going?
I'm heading up anyway and looking forward to it. I'll be wary of the Linden Village crew so, and as the wife to pack the Chablis so as not to let the side down and have them call us Biffos!

Just wondering POTH do you have anything against the Dubs or call them anything else like Klare and Leix?

Pack the Chablis

Enjoy the day out.

Happy Easter to all.

COME ON OFFALY!!!!

[Doon Exile]

Will the wet weather suit us or Dublin tomorrow?

[Géill Slí]

Will the wet weather suit us or Dublin tomorrow?

Should favour the more skillful team, which is us! Remember the 95 Leinster Final?

[greenairfield]

Can we view the game on tv or stream?

[Doon Exile]

Will the wet weather suit us or Dublin tomorrow?

Should favour the more skillful team, which is us! Remember the 95 Leinster Final?

I think was the fact that we were all Ireland champions and totally written off by everyone had the biggest motivating factor then. Great performance though alright.