Offaly Senior Football 2026

[Anon444]

I imagine it’ll be the minor team he wants to take over just because I don’t imagine Roger Ryan will be stepping down. I know that next years U17 crop are supposedly quite strong, I’d be suspicious of a manager walking before he’s ran and still gets to be involved with an underage county team. That reeks of having too much influence in my eyes. But I’ll save those arguments for when and if the time comes.

Do the county board let Harte have a run at it by himself? Do they look outside? Not sure if there’s any standout candidates that will step in to fill the void

[Barnet]

As far as I know he's director of football at development squad level and will almost certainly be over the minor football

Surely if he's sacked as offaly manager for not known what he's at he can't be still director of football? Kind of contradict everything..

[private joker]

He won't be sacked, he'll step down. Him not knowing what he's at is a matter of opinion. Do you think the CB are there in OCP going "he hasn't a clue"? I'd say a good lot of them will see Kelly as an ideal manager for the minors.

[Snotser123]

Lads on here watching too much premier league or mark gold bridge ....sacking don't quite happen in gaa like they do in soccer lads..its a different process.yesterday a disgrace from the line to the players from minute 1...a sad and bad day at the office ...

[Lone Shark]

To be fair to DK, he's won an All-Ireland as an underage manager, and the issues we've seen with personality clashes at adult level are not nearly as much of a concern when you're working with 16 year olds. Of course there'll be a debate about whether or not he'd be the right man for a role like that if things pan out as we expect, but he's clearly worthy of consideration if he is in fact interested in it.

I'm not saying it should be a penalty kick that he gets appointed as minor manager next year, and it certainly shouldn't be the case that Declan Kelly, director of football, should get to have a say in the appointment of the minor manager if Declan Kelly is a candidate. Clearly he should recuse himself, as should anyone who works with him on a daily basis (Carina Carroll, John Hackett etc) since it's not reasonable to put anyone in that position with regard to their day job, where they might potentially have to reject someone they're going to be working with every day.

I would also say that the policy for managing dual players should be imposed on whoever is the Offaly minor football (and hurling) manager from above. It is a matter for the Offaly county board to put in place an ethos and policies to support that, because what is best for Offaly GAA in the long term might not be what the manager of the Offaly minor footballers believes is best for his (or her) chances of success in 2027. I would be strong on this, regardless of who takes the roles, but it's no harm reiterate it now.

But following on from the discussion above, there's a lot of open country in between "Declan Kelly should manage the Offaly senior footballers again in 2027" and "Declan Kelly should never be let near any Offaly team again". Let's keep our sense of balance and perspective here people, we'll leave the over-reactions and the hyperbole to the politicians and the hauliers.

[jimbob17]

Didn't get to go this evening but from listened to all on radio. It was very poor by all accounts

It was mentioned here in middle of league that Rory Egan is like a fish out of water as a half forward. Daire McDaid has rarely if ever played in forwards for county and ended up there in a championship senior game. Aidan Bracken who has not played for 6 months is thrown in to mark their best player and taken off at HT. That was all on management. Good to see Bryant back contesting for place but again, he was not played in maybe 2 months or more. Is it asking a lot of him, Bracken and Higgins to play today having missed so much time? It is certainly a big jump.

There will be people calling for managements heads no doubt. I don't think that is right.

How are you writing a novel on the game if you weren't at it and listened on the radio?
Leinster championship is essentially useless now. Laois and Offaly will be in Tailteann anyway. Thats Offalys championship. Seen teams go badly in Leinster before and still play well in the Tailteann.
If you can name who you'd start in the forwards from whats available that would do a better job go ahead.

I don’t agree with the sentiment of this. Dublin’s slight fall has made the Leinster championship desirable again. There is light at the end of the tunnel, where years gone by there was nothing. Not one person in Offaly expected to win Leinster or even make the semi, but the nature of the defeat will have huge knock on effects. I’ve been dumbfounded over the selection of the panel throughout the year (not going into who should or shouldn’t be there), but if you lose 3 players and your answer is to play two corner backs at wing forward, then move another corner back to wing forward in the second half, what are we actually doing? If I was any so-called forward on that squad, I’d be thinking I’m wasting my time. Players are going to be thinking that way too. It’s a huge pity, but I get the feeling we are sleepwalking into another disastrous TC campaign

This is a message board for people to comment. I do so fairly with a very strong interest and just want what is in best interests of team. I'd have been there if it was any way possible, but it wasn't, not that it's any of your business WBA. I listened to the game. I listened to the read of Molloy and Gavin and commented on that, legitimately so. I commented on fact 3 backs played in the forwards, on fact a lad who hasn't played in months was selected to start. Much of comments were general observations and not specific to game itself.

I understand you don't get it or won't accept that this team and management are grossly under-performing. Your limited understanding and blind rhetoric on here for months is to defend the indefensible. Blind support of what has been happening is not doing Offaly any favours. We are 8 losses in a row now in case you hadn't noticed - most of them comprehensive defeats with an approx -8pt defeat average. The support base has been lost. Massively outnumbered by Laois in home championship game says a lot really. Under any circumstances in the past, the management would likely have been pushed out with pressure from local media and supporters. I think the supporters are so disillusioned, they have just given up too. And here I am saying the management should stay until end of Tailteann Cup. Harte needs to do the work for which he is very well paid. And DK too!

For the record, here are some win rate statistics for past few management teams: 0.5 given for a draw!
John Maughan
2019 League 2.5/7 2019 Champ 2/4
2020 League 2.5/7 2020 Champ 1/2
2021 league 4/5 2021 Champ 1/2
2022 league 1.5/7 2022 Champ 3/5
Total 44.87%

Liam Kearns / Martin Murphy
2023 league 4/7 2023 Champ 3.5/7
Total 53.57%

Declan Kelly / Mickey Harte
2024 league 2.5/7 2024 Champ 1/4
2025 League 6/8 2025 Champ 3/6
2026 league 0/7 2026 Champ 0/1
Total 37.87%

37.87% is the average for the last 3 years through 3 leagues in Div 3 twice and Div 2 and 3 Tailteann Cup campaigns, never in Sam Maguire. That tells its own story, yet some find ways to excuse it all. For context, Maughan had 3 years in Sam Maguire qualifiers with TC commencing in 2022.

You ask what I would do. For a start, get them properly fit. To do that I'd get strong minded and experienced S&C and physio staff on board, not young lads who will do what they are told! The first thing I would do with them is that I would listen to them and take on board their expertise and let them do their job. I would move away from dogging lads, that has helped create numerous overuse injuries. Current and ex players have told me that some of the dogging they got in pre-seasons have had impact on these overuse injuries - for what that is worth. Maybe they are wrong, we don't know. I'd do my damndest to formulate a positive group dynamic where lads enjoy going training. I'd create a bit of harmony in the camp. I'd talk to lads. I'd keep lads on side - maybe stop falling out with people including players and medical professionals! I'd MANAGE people. I would go back and go after some of the best players in the county under 33/34 that either walked away or were sidelined so we have maybe 25 or 30 of the best 35 SENIOR inter-county football players in the county on the panel. I'd hold 8-10 places for developing young players in a 35-38 man panel. I would have a plan to win kickouts and train for that. I'd have a strong defensive plan and most of all, I would get the players back working for each other and looking like an interested team again. The players seem to be emotionally bankrupt and worn out, devoid of energy for the task to date. A poor environment will do that to players and from the reports coming out over the last couple of years, that can be explained.

As Anon said, it might be an idea to play lads in their actual positions. I wouldn't play corner backs in the forwards for a start. Rory Egan and McDaid as half forwards yesterday? No disrespect, but that is also on management and large part in why we had one of lowest scoring tallies all year. That is a fundamental basic. If an U16 club manager did that, the parents on the side would be asking questions! But no doubt, you see nothing wrong with this either WBA. The management need to address all of these things if we are to do anything in the T Cup. I just fear this is like shutting the door after the horse is bolted. If Stephen Wallace or Cribbin, or Maughan or anyone else was doing what this management has been doing, they'd have been turfed weeks ago.

There has been plenty of talk of DK going back into underage system next year. No idea how accurate such talk is but at least 5 or 6 football people with strong inside knowledge have suggested this to me. How would that work if he is a so called Director of Football or is it idle speculation? It is a touch bizarre if true, given he would have sons involved and they wouldn't necessarily be definite starters on any of those teams. Being honest, I don't think it is right or fair for any parent to be involved in such a circumstance. Does he interview himself for the U20 or minor job or does he step down from role of director. And if he 'gets it', or is deemed 'successful', given what we have seen at senior level and the unrest around senior team, how would that be perceived? Is this in the best interests of Offaly football or is a full clean out better in short term? A wider question is how does anyone who is involved as Offaly senior football manager (if giving that the time that it deserves), have the time to be any way involved in underage section in such an important role?

[Barnet]

Lads, Declan Kelly is with offaly since covid times vaccines were made across the world to get rid of it. We are now talking about kelly not good enough for seniors but he be ok underage.. Is it not time for a complete clear out and go again?

[Snotser123]

No harm man but your taking it all too seriously , it was 2 bad teams , unfortunatley ours much worse on the day, life goes on , get a walk in , a carvery in , a pint in

[Barnet]

No harm man but your taking it all too seriously , it was 2 bad teams , unfortunatley ours much worse on the day, life goes on , get a walk in , a carvery in , a pint in

What's your thoughts on it all now

[Faithfully]

No harm man but your taking it all too seriously , it was 2 bad teams , unfortunatley ours much worse on the day, life goes on , get a walk in , a carvery in , a pint in

Well over 100 posts on this thread from yourself. Passionately defending management at every turn and berating anyone who disagreed.

Now when we see a completely indefensible debacle like last night, that's all you can resort to. Good man.

[Payperview1]

Didn't realise Declan Kelly was still Director of Football. What exactly does this role entail? Very unusual if not totally unique to have your senior football manager also your Director of Football and hard to see how anyone could combine both roles.

[Snotser123]

U not read my last post ? I said disgraceful from the line last night ?

[first_touch]

Surely in the best interests of Offaly football the honourable thing for the management team to do would be to step down. The situation looks to be beyond retrieval and it's very unlikely that it will improve if management stay in place. In fact, it could get even worse.

A few years ago, Paul Rouse did a good job as an interim manager after a similar debacle in the Leinster championship.

Of course the current joint managers deserve credit for the progress made last year. But those gains have been more than reversed.

[jimbob17]

Didn't realise Declan Kelly was still Director of Football. What exactly does this role entail? Very unusual if not totally unique to have your senior football manager also your Director of Football and hard to see how anyone could combine both roles.

Yea it is quite unique, particularly at a time when he is over senior football team. Wouldn't have this as fact as it is second hand information. However, I am reliably told he would have an overseeing role over Offaly underage football teams including who is over the teams and players included in the development squads through a voluntary committee role.

Not sure if it extends to U20 team as that would be under the county board adult remit to best of my knowledge but it would likely include teams from U18 down - so combined schools teams, the minor team and the pathway squads from U14, U15, U16 in football etc. I am unsure if the role would extend into clubs underage structures. He has been heavily involved in St Vincents underage teams also I'd imagine as he has been over last number of years - that being separate involvement obviously. That is a lot of influence on Offaly football for one person, particularly at a time you are managing senior football team. To best of my knowledge he started this role when he stepped away from U20's but stayed in it after he took the senior football reigns. Not sure what crossover this may have with Nigel Dunne's role as he is also involved in the football end of the development squad system as an employee.

[Superhans75]

First Declan Kelly had his day in the sun
Walk away please with dignity if you care about the county
Two Give Mickey Harte a run in the talteann cup
May as well use his salary up
Three
Nowadays majority of gaa player at 27 are slowing down a lot quicker than a decade ago
29 is the new 34 in previous era's
Our lads have played a lot for 6/7 years
Longevity might not be a forte especially
For a player who is not a natural muscular Strength and conditioning
Person.
Four Mentally we are very weak nobody wants to take the game by the scruff.
It's quite apparent in Offaly gaa across the board
Except for Jack Ryan from the U20s
Who would get a game in the senior
Team.
I hope some common sense occurs
But will not hold my breath