Offaly Senior Football 2026

[Anon444]

That sounds like an awful lot of influence. Especially when you consider the divided opinions across the county on him. I think these things and all related to our underage can’t be autocratic in nature, decisions need to be made involving as many people on the ground as possible.

[Tmacmahon]

Times up I'd say, its unfortunate and it really is a sad situation. Im sure that management are hurting,It was an awful display against our near neighbours, and at this stage it’s becoming indefensible. There is going to be a change in management the only question is whether it happens now or closer to 2027.
I’ve said before that I believe an entirely internal management team is the right way forward. Bringing in people who truly understand the setup and the standards required is essential if we’re to rejuvenate the Tailteann Cup campaign and compete properly. Niall Stack Manager | Nigel Dunne coach | Peter Brady selector | Karl Slattery selector | add in the s& c , physio, nutrition,
kitmen etc. Otherwise, we’re heading nowhere and I take no pleasure in saying that.
As a proud Offaly man, this weekend was a dark one for football. But I have no doubt we will come again.
Declan Kelly deserves immense credit for the work he has put into both underage and adult football. Over the past three years, he has helped bring us to a League title, and that progress should not be overlooked.
Neither should the overall current situation.

[Snotser123]

Niall stack played a blanket defense with tullamore that literally had the most hardcore tullamore fans groaning in the stands even as he won county titles and that was with the most talented group of players in the county ...no thanks

[Snotser123]

Nigel dunne no proper experience at that level either to get a coaching role like that definitely not under a manager like stack with no intercounty experience ....I mean look how critical we are of harte who is possible in top 3 gaelic football managers of all time and Kelly who has won an all Ireland with some of these players......

[Lone Shark]

Niall Stack played a system that suited Tullamore, a side that was packed full of intercounty stars in four of the five outfield lines, but who was perceived to have a much more moderate inside forward line.

All of this sort of speculation is moot. Nigel Dunne is part of an U-20 management setup with Roger Ryan where I would assume, the plan is to go for more than one year. I've plenty of time for Stack, Brady, Slattery and them all, but there's no guarantee that any or all of those men would want to take on all that's involved with intercounty management.

A lot of fuss was made about Joe Murphy talking about an all-Carlow setup after the Division Four final, but the right person for the job is the right person. If it's a close call, then of course you'd have a bias towards Offaly people, but in this county more than any, we should know that the right person is sometimes an outsider, and that's fine too.

[Barnet]

I don't think your right about DK been on under age committee. County board have alot of members they would not throw that on our senior manager and father of a lad that played minor last year. It wouldn't be a parent of a playet that would get that job.

[Barnet]

Regards to mickey managing himself. The games changed alot in last few year, mickey was a great manager he's time has past though. I wish him luck, was a great name to get in for player bounce at the time.

[Tmacmahon]

Stack and Dunne are undoubtedly inexperienced there’s no getting away from that. On the other hand, the likes of Mickey Harte and Declan Kelly bring proven experience. But experience alone isn’t always a guarantee of success, and we’ve seen that in different setups.
That said, I do place a lot of weight on what Stack achieved with Tullamore. He brought a real sense of pragmatism, changed the culture within the group, and got the very best out of players who previously might not have reached that level. They became consistent, tight knit, and ultimately maximised their potential.
Nigel Dunne’s work also stands out. He coached the minors last year and led them to a win over a Louth team managed by Gavin Devlin, who is widely regarded as one of the top coaches in the country. Speaking to one of the players from that Offaly minor team, it was clear how meticulous Dunne was in his preparation for that Leinster final ,he studied Louth in incredible detail, and much of what he predicted came to pass. That level of tactical insight clearly played a big role in a result that, on paper, Offaly weren’t expected to achieve. Now look i will conced its underage and not senior so I take your points and we must be carefulwhen trying to tak aboutthe senior side.
As for Brady and Slattery, they’re legends and would command instant respect within any setup.
Ultimately though, I can’t disagree with the concerns being raised. There is inexperience there, and perhaps the safer option would be to go with a more seasoned manager possibly even someone from outside the county, as Lone Shark suggested. I do understand both sides of the argument.