www.uibhfhaili.com

If he has left the panel then all I say is hopefully he joins it for 2026. Do I think we would have won the Joe Mcdonagh without him, I doubt it. When offaly were at the lowest kiely came back and gave everything to the jersey.

The level of time and commitment now given is crazy, add in possibility of injuries, work and family life then.

A fógra for anyone heading to Wexford. There's an afternoon race meeting in Wexford on Saturday. First race at 2.25pm, last race at 5.45pm so the racing traffic won't affect the hurling unless you're travelling early to make a day of it.

Any win in wexford would mean Antrim would need to beat us by 6?

Thomas mc wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 1:03 pm Any win in wexford would mean Antrim would need to beat us by 6?

In that scenario, they'd finish above us on head to head if and when Wexford get their last day victory against a Kilkenny team that's already qualified for the Leinster final (as has happened in the past).

Faithfully wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 2:48 pm

Thomas mc wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 1:03 pm Any win in wexford would mean Antrim would need to beat us by 6?

In that scenario, they'd finish above us on head to head if and when Wexford get their last day victory against a Kilkenny team that's already qualified for the Leinster final (as has happened in the past).

Obviously my question/statement was based on wexford losing to kilkenny who are far better even in the circumstances you mention.. kilkenny aren't silly enough to take their foot off the pedal either.. I sincerely hope we aren't stupid enough to start making wholesale changes and dismissing the wexford match, losing momentum and confidence if we got a clipping as a result . The last time we had "nothin" to play for in the 2nd last game of the year we put in a shambles of a performance against Carlow with half a team and Carlow beat us in the final.. although I have a bit confidence in Johnny Kelly and think they'll go full tilt and win both matches.. for me this team is used to hurling week in week out and thrives on it, I dont buy that they are tired or burnt out and i include the u20s in that

Thomas mc wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 3:29 pm

Faithfully wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 2:48 pm

Thomas mc wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 1:03 pm Any win in wexford would mean Antrim would need to beat us by 6?

In that scenario, they'd finish above us on head to head if and when Wexford get their last day victory against a Kilkenny team that's already qualified for the Leinster final (as has happened in the past).

Obviously my question/statement was based on wexford losing to kilkenny who are far better even in the circumstances you mention.. kilkenny aren't silly enough to take their foot off the pedal either.. I sincerely hope we aren't stupid enough to start making wholesale changes and dismissing the wexford match, losing momentum and confidence if we got a clipping as a result . The last time we had "nothin" to play for in the 2nd last game of the year we put in a shambles of a performance against Carlow with half a team and Carlow beat us in the final.. although I have a bit confidence in Johnny Kelly and think they'll go full tilt and win both matches.. for me this team is used to hurling week in week out and thrives on it, I dont buy that they are tired or burnt out and i include the u20s in that

Kilkenny are actually silly enough to lose to Wexford.
They haven’t beaten them in the round robin since 2018 when they won by a point.
It’s surely an unfair advantage on Wexford to be given Kilkenny in the last round every year, when the cats are usually qualified?

Thomas mc wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 3:29 pm

Faithfully wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 2:48 pm

Thomas mc wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 1:03 pm Any win in wexford would mean Antrim would need to beat us by 6?

In that scenario, they'd finish above us on head to head if and when Wexford get their last day victory against a Kilkenny team that's already qualified for the Leinster final (as has happened in the past).

Obviously my question/statement was based on wexford losing to kilkenny who are far better even in the circumstances you mention.. kilkenny aren't silly enough to take their foot off the pedal either..

That's funny because Wexford have beaten them in 3 of the past 4 round Robin games. The other was a 1 point victory for Kilkenny.

Same team selected as the last day. This is crazy. There are a lot of guys on that team who need to be rested so that they are refreshed and in prime condition ahead of the Antrim game. It is pointless putting in a big effort against Wexford and wearing ourselves out in the process. Because even if we beat Wexford, which is a big ask, we will still have to beat Antrim if Wexford beat Kilkenny, which is very possible.

All our energy and focus should be on the Antrim game. Which is why lads who have seen little or no championship action should be playing tomorrow. It would have the added benefit of giving them valuable game time and bringing them up to match fitness. This could increase our impact off the bench next weekend and maybe one or two lads would work their way into a starting position if they impress tomorrow.

Hopefully it's a dummy team and Offaly rest several players. My thinking is that you don't announce your heavily changed team beforehand to avoid the usual talking heads kicking up a stink on social media, podcasts and other media.
No one will notice or care afterwards, so long as Offaly beat Antrim.

Thomas mc wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 3:29 pm
Obviously my question/statement was based on wexford losing to kilkenny who are far better even in the circumstances you mention.. kilkenny aren't silly enough to take their foot off the pedal either.. I sincerely hope we aren't stupid enough to start making wholesale changes and dismissing the wexford match, losing momentum and confidence if we got a clipping as a result . The last time we had "nothin" to play for in the 2nd last game of the year we put in a shambles of a performance against Carlow with half a team and Carlow beat us in the final.. although I have a bit confidence in Johnny Kelly and think they'll go full tilt and win both matches.. for me this team is used to hurling week in week out and thrives on it, I dont buy that they are tired or burnt out and i include the u20s in that

3 Leinster games in 14 days, ffs. How much more 'momentum' do you think Offaly need? Maybe you want to organise a challenge match for midweek.

There is no reason for Offaly to waste energy going 'full tilt' in a dead rubber game 7 days before our 2025 All Ireland.

Bord na Mona man wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 9:24 pm

Thomas mc wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 3:29 pm
Obviously my question/statement was based on wexford losing to kilkenny who are far better even in the circumstances you mention.. kilkenny aren't silly enough to take their foot off the pedal either.. I sincerely hope we aren't stupid enough to start making wholesale changes and dismissing the wexford match, losing momentum and confidence if we got a clipping as a result . The last time we had "nothin" to play for in the 2nd last game of the year we put in a shambles of a performance against Carlow with half a team and Carlow beat us in the final.. although I have a bit confidence in Johnny Kelly and think they'll go full tilt and win both matches.. for me this team is used to hurling week in week out and thrives on it, I dont buy that they are tired or burnt out and i include the u20s in that

3 Leinster games in 14 days, ffs. How much more 'momentum' do you think Offaly need? Maybe you want to organise a challenge match for midweek.

There is no reason for Offaly to waste energy going 'full tilt' in a dead rubber game 7 days before our 2025 All Ireland.

How in the name of God is it a dead rubber game??

We’re going full tilt with a full team.

Draw match with 5 to go.

Can’t see us beating Antrim if we lose this. Tank will be physically and emotionally empty.

Antrim didn’t bother their holes today.

Thomas mc wrote: ↑Sat May 17, 2025 5:32 pm

Bord na Mona man wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 9:24 pm

Thomas mc wrote: ↑Fri May 16, 2025 3:29 pm
Obviously my question/statement was based on wexford losing to kilkenny who are far better even in the circumstances you mention.. kilkenny aren't silly enough to take their foot off the pedal either.. I sincerely hope we aren't stupid enough to start making wholesale changes and dismissing the wexford match, losing momentum and confidence if we got a clipping as a result . The last time we had "nothin" to play for in the 2nd last game of the year we put in a shambles of a performance against Carlow with half a team and Carlow beat us in the final.. although I have a bit confidence in Johnny Kelly and think they'll go full tilt and win both matches.. for me this team is used to hurling week in week out and thrives on it, I dont buy that they are tired or burnt out and i include the u20s in that

3 Leinster games in 14 days, ffs. How much more 'momentum' do you think Offaly need? Maybe you want to organise a challenge match for midweek.

There is no reason for Offaly to waste energy going 'full tilt' in a dead rubber game 7 days before our 2025 All Ireland.

How in the name of God is it a dead rubber game??

If you understand league tables and head-to-head tie breakers, you'll know why.

frankthetank wrote: ↑Sat May 17, 2025 6:27 pm We’re going full tilt with a full team.

Draw match with 5 to go.

Can’t see us beating Antrim if we lose this. Tank will be physically and emotionally empty.

Antrim didn’t bother their holes today.

3 point loss, hopefully Offaly didn't waste any gunpowder today - either in physical or emotional energy.
Antrim are probably very poor this year, but they may also be boxing clever too. We'll know next week. Right now it's still a total landmine of a fixture.

frankthetank wrote: ↑Sat May 17, 2025 6:27 pm We’re going full tilt with a full team.

Draw match with 5 to go.

Can’t see us beating Antrim if we lose this. Tank will be physically and emotionally empty.

Antrim didn’t bother their holes today.

Sure yea they will just show up and turn it on next weekend we will now be clear favourites going into that game next weekend and ye can expect a comfortable win.. if ye think puttin out a 2nd string team and losing by 10 points would have been better than that then ye are delusional.. they backed themselves and rightly so.. they were told that they should rest for next weekend because they weren't good enough to compete against Wexford.. This evening will give the team massive confidence after 2 heavy defeat and was exactly what we needed.. once we beat Antrim next weekend, we'll have achieved much more than just staying in leinster, we'll be there for next year and have sent a clear message to Wexford and dublin, having gone to both their back yards that we are very much in their rear view mirror with our sights firmly set on them and we are here to compete not to survive