Offaly Hurling 2026

[faithfulfanatic]

James Mahon, Ruairi Kelly and Ciaran Cleary started in their place.

Did the big man do any damage?

No, not at all.

[greenairfield]

To be honest didnt see why Offaly played the game based on what i say.

We had our lads off soon after the first 25, not sure where you got the story of the crowd from lohan issue he seemed happy when birr chairman was chatting him.

One thing i noticed is cleary isnt up to that level.

[faithfulfanatic]

To be honest didnt see why Offaly played the game based on what i say.

We had our lads off soon after the first 25, not sure where you got the story of the crowd from lohan issue he seemed happy when birr chairman was chatting him.

One thing i noticed is cleary isnt up to that level.

Offaly hurled Clare down in Caherlohan earlier in the year. Some parents traveled down and were denied entry at Lohan’s behest.
Word before this match was that Clare had requested it be behind closed doors again.

I can’t see how Oisin Kelly isn’t being tried as an option at 14, a far better hurler.

[jimbob17]

Oisin Kelly came in against Wexford and looked bit off the pace I thought. No doubting ability when fully fit but you can't be any way off at this level to not look out of place. Cleary has lots to work with but is he quick enough on ground at this level? I don't know.

As for Lohan, you could see why he would be annoyed if that was the agreement. While this is new to Offaly in recent times, lots of teams are all behind closed doors once they get to this stage of season - training and challenges. It's why nothing gets out of Limerick or other top teams - Donegal and Kerry footballers for example. Clare wouldn't want Dublin or Limerick to know what they are doing and you know well that they will have had spies in Birr if at all possible. Offaly, in their interest should maybe also be thinking like this if serious about taking on Cork.

On the other side of this becoming normal, it may also mean that there develops a growing disconnect between supporters and Co teams which we don't want to lose in GAA. That said, I'm sure every Offaly and Clare fan would have no issue with not being let into Birr challenge game if it meant it helped them beat Cork and Dublin respectively in quarter final.

[Anon444]

I thought it was obvious that Johnny Kelly was trying to turn Cleary into a John Hetherton type player for us throughout the league. We just don’t have enough huge lads like that, maybe the game-time and training will help him but there is a lot of work to be done there yet and he’s a decent bit off this level. I would be very surprised if he was considered an option against Cork, considering majority of our forward play is built around speed and movement.

[Faithfully]

A mountain of seats still available in the Offaly club allocation. About 3 sections worth. They're set to be released back to public sale tomorrow. More likely to be purchased by Cork fans there.