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Offaly 0-16
Meath 0-13

Offaly kicked five unanswered points in the last ten minutes to defeat Meath in the Fitzsimons Cup final at Grangegodden. The intercounty senior football tournament is run by the Gaeil Colmcille club.

Points from Niall McNamee and Bernard Allen had Offaly 0-2 to 0-1 ahead after five minutes. Meath replied with three points from Sean Tobin, Stephan Crosby and Michael Newman. But Offaly fought back and had three points on the trot from McNamee (2) and midfielder Richie Dalton. With 25 minutes gone The Faithful County held a 0-8 to 0-6 lead. Conor Gillespie and Damien carroll kicked two fine scores for The Royals and the teams went in at the break level 0-8 each.

Full foward McNamee put Offaly two up in the opening five minutes of the second half with a brace of pointed frees. Meath drew level once more through Newman and Andy Tormey. Mick O'Dowd's charges enjoyed a period of dominance between the 10th and 20th minutes and scores from Newman (2) and Daragh McNamara put them 0-13 to 0-11 ahead and looking good for victory. But it was Offaly that found that extra gear in the last ten minutes and five unanswered points from McNamee (2), Anton Sullivan (2) and half back David Brady gave Emmet McDonnell's team a well earned win.

After the game Meath County Board Chairman Barney Allen presented the Fitzsimons Cup to Offaly captain Niall McNamee.

Offaly: Alan Mulhall, Brian Darby, Paul McConway, Sean Pender, David Brady (0-1), Derek Kelly, Michael Verney, Richie Dalton (0-1), Alan McNamee, Ross Brady, Brian Connor(0-1), Eoin Carroll, Anton Sullivan (0-2), Niall McNamee (0-10), Bernard Allen (0-1).

Meath: Paddy O'Rourke, Caolan Young, Donal Keoghan, Seanie Curran, Cormac Rowe (0-1), Darren Hagan, Davy Dalton, Conor Gillespie (0-1), Tom Walsh, Daragh McNamara (0-1), Damien Carroll (0-1), Stephan Crosby (0-1), Sean Tobin (0-2), Michael Newman (0-5), Andrew Tormey (0-1).

Referee Brian Kelly Kildare
http://www.offaly.gaa.ie/offaly-news/sf ... zsimonscup

Obvious Emmet McDonnell knows best and there's a lot to be said for early momentum, but it's notable the difference in standard of the two teams in terms of first team players. Eight of those Offaly players started the last championship game of 2012, while only three Meath players started their last outing against Portlaoise at OCP. Granted lads like Seán Tobin, Michael Newman and Paddy O'Rourke wouldn't be far off either, but neither would Brian Connor, Paul McConway, Derek Kelly or Bernard Allen.

Not saying that there's anything right or wrong with this approach, but just that it's clear to see.

Theres a notable difference in standard anyway. We need some momentum, and you need to have a stable of experienced players on board. Have me doubts as to how long Alan Mc and Ross Brady will last on the team, but they may help during the slog of the league to help settle a few younger lads into the team.

Also if you are going to play these 2 as part of the league team, then you need them to have a good bit of work done in terms of mobility.
With regard to the rest of the team, many of them have not got too much mileage up on the clock and need these workouts.

If anyone has any info on any challenge games pre Christmas will ye post them up, and if ye know where the lads might be training. Would like to go along for a look at the set up.