www.uibhfhaili.com

See Wee Davy is going on a one man crusade to croke park over officiating.
One would assume antrim will be coming to tullamore with the siege mentality, they also seem to have some discipline issues so if we can weather the early storm and don't get distracted or involved and play hurling. We should be winning this game if it stays a hurling match.

Also think the Wexford and Dublin games have shown that we do belong in Leinster and can progress next year and I think these players relished the chances to play against the best teams after some years in the doldrums of division 2 and chirsty ring so can see why we went strong in every game. Especially our young guns for who , Kilkenny galway Wexford are exactly that just other hurling counties and nothing to fear


However, beating Antrim and probably the Joe MC winners again next year is vital so we can guarantee survival and also have cracks at the bigger teams and hopefully pick up two wins next year.it would feel like two steps backwards if we go down.

Lone Shark wrote: ↑Sun May 18, 2025 1:59 pm

private joker wrote: ↑Sun May 18, 2025 1:19 pm I thought at the time it was viewed that laois were better than carlow and it would have been a more favourable final vs carlow. Offaly s approach to this years leinster final is the right approach.

I don't think anyone would have said in 2023, 2024 or 2025 that Laois are better than Carlow. Laois love to overlook the fact that they didn't beat Carlow either that year, and if they had, they'd have taken care of their own business.

Offaly took that decision for Offaly reasons, nothing to do with Laois or Carlow.

As for this year, it's entirely correct to say that we'll never know for sure - but the last 15 minutes will tell a lot. If Offaly finish strong and we get what we need off the bench, then it was the right call. If the end of the game sees our lads look tired while a fresher Antrim team run through them, that'll tell a story too.

Tell a story in a similar way to the Carlow fiasco? Or you just changing the narrative to suit yourself..? I can't blame the first Carlow game for the Carlow loss but you are already trying to blame last night's game for what will be a hugely unlikely loss next weekend.? Ok..

Quote from Johnny Kelly

“Every game is a big game in this Leinster championship. I heard a lot of talk around the place that Offaly should hold back against Wexford today and not put out a performance. We were out in the Leinster championship for the first time in seven years. If that is the mentality we have, we are going nowhere. We need to man up and fight and that is what these boys did today.”

What are people’s thoughts for the big game at the weekend? James McNaughton is back for Antrim, and is a big danger … Antrim will surely throw everything at this game, but it’s up to us to bring a huge crowd and the sort of atmosphere we’ve generated for our underage teams in recent years. A hugely important game for our young team to establish themselves in the top tier. Hoping Oisin Kelly can bring his goal scoring golden touch, because this team thrives on the adrenaline shot of a goal (early goals vs Dublin and Wexford set the tone for both games). It will probably be a very nervous affair, but Offaly to prevail. As “Red” said in Shawshank, “I hope.”

I think that team is possibly is the strongest team we have that can start ,

Possibly Adam screeney but because of the under 20 managements bonkers decisions he’s now injured long term.

I believe Offaly are more than capable of dealing Antrim

Our experience should shine through and deal with them comfortably

G91 wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 6:50 pm I think that team is possibly is the strongest team we have that can start ,

Possibly Adam screeney but because of the under 20 managements bonkers decisions he’s now injured long term.

I believe Offaly are more than capable of dealing Antrim

Our experience should shine through and deal with them comfortably

in fairness Screeney has been injured all year what happen to him again dublin could easy happen with the senior team.if your on about bonkers decisions what about last year again meath in mcdonagh cup in trim up about 10 points no danger of losing and they sent him on in second half with the leinster under 20 final on that week. never mind playing Dan Ravenhill again laois in the first round of mcdonagh cup and finished his year after.

Completely missing the point
no.1 .. my reply had nothing to do with last year
No.2 .. my actual opinion

Was a reflection of my thoughts on Sundays team
With the exclusion of Adam screeney

So I highlighted where it was a “bonkers” decision to leave him on after getting injured witch probably didn’t help his situation regardless of been injured all year

Just for the record I also gave my dissatisfactory opinion on the Dan ravenhill situation last year.

In a different note I’m surprised by jk decisions aswell he took of ravenhill v wexFord brought on Cahill and put him on a big free where it would have put us ahead.

If he had more game time you would put your house on it but he hasn’t played much and to put that over was a big ask after been on the bench for almost the entire game

Once Dublin pipped Offaly last month, tomorrow's game became a cup final. Getting to 4 points to make the fixture a procession was no longer possible.

The biggest risk for Offaly is a mutiny in Antrim leading to them going back to basics in style.
The Davy Fitz experiment has not worked out. Converting an experienced team like Antrim to tippy-tappy hurling is a big ask.

The 2019 and 2022 Joe McDonagh meetings, the 2022 League relegation final are three recent must-win fixtures where Antrim saw off Offaly.
Their formula to beat Offaly has been direct, smashmouth hurling - using power, aggression, winning collisions, driving Offaly players out of their way, and closing out stronger while Offaly wilt.

I expect the senior Antrim players are demanding Davy tears up the tactics book of short puck outs, sideways passes, and no forwards.
Undoubtedly Offaly have improved since then. There is more steel and better technical ability now than 3 or 4 years ago.

However, concerns about Offaly's build up still remain. The injuries that have accumulated and the load put on certain players could still hinder on us.
Three weeks ago our U20s looked lethargic in surrendered to a middling Dublin team. Two years after they stormed through Leinster backboned by U18s.
Hopefully, Antrim have already shot themselves in both feet and won't be able to pull themselves together,

The last time we met in Tullamore it was a smash and grab from them

We dealt will a long looping ball very badly and the referee was a disgrace that day also he gave Antrim everything

It’s absolutely impossible to predict what they will do you’d imagine they’ll try go through the lines again they will target somewhere in our backline and try push through there

We need more than Brian Duigan and Oisin Kelly and Dan bourke to put up scores, time for Charlie to pull the socks up it’s been a disappointing year for him so far considering how good he can be

I feel Dan ravenhill has found some decent form , I’ve concerns of how easy our backline was pushed aside by that Lee chin goal last week , and tj ried previous

I know they’re great players but they shouldn’t get goals as easy as they did.

Jk needs to use the subs in good time not 60mins in or 65mins

Disappointing to see kiely go again hopefully he finds the form again and comes back next year hard to believe the inter county year is over and we are in may.

It’s getting a bit of cliche now but this is such a huge game for Offaly hurling tomorrow. However , I’m confident that we’ll have enough to get over Antrim tomorrow.

We do need to keep it tight at the back and not concede soft goals or anything like that and in equal measure we need the forwards simply playing to the level we know they can play. Antrim will try to rough us up I suspect and that might include trying get us to react (the wrong way)

A good start will be vital.

I expect us to win.

best of luck lads don't mind the shite show davy will bring if offaly can hurl like the games again Dublin and wexford i think we will have to much for Antrim . this is an all ireland for them today we don't want to drop back to mcdonagh cup again
offaly bye 7.

Big day. Our boys are up for it. Let’s git ‘em!!!

Come on Offaly!!!!

Well done all today on winning. It wasn’t pretty and nerves and weather did have a major influence. The result is all that matters.

Enjoy the well earned break and the experience of this year should stand to all.

Had it on radio. Got a little dicey. This though! Wow! The setup from Cahill(?). Outrageous!! Mission accomplished!!

https://x.com/GAAPlusOfficial/status/19 ... x%2F336473

A very nervous second half. Johnny Kelly was right in front of us on the terrace and sounded so frustrated, but it has to be said we didn’t use the extra man and withdrew far too deep defending our lead with a big wind in our backs. Maybe understandable given the high stakes, but we should have buried Antrim much earlier.
Eoghan Cahill with a moment of class to set up the decisive goal. I thought Oisin Kelly had a good game throughout and Donal Shirley even at his age has developed into a pivotal player. Despite the goals, Brian Duignan and Killian Sampson can count themselves lucky not to be subbed off.
Look, it’s all about the result today and we survive in Leinster to give us a chance to develop in 2026. Today again emphasising what we need to work on: winning possession from puc outs and rucks (we struggled hugely today when the pressure came on in the second half), and the need to improve physically.
Lastly, some nasty off the ball stuff from Antrim, including the thug who walked on Charlie Mitchell’s head and in boxing terms a couple of low blows to Ben and, again, Charlie. Davy with his usual shite on the line. Adios, Davy, I’d say the accountants in Antrim will breathe a sigh of relief.