www.uibhfhaili.com

Not sure if any of the rest of ye heard it lads but strong talk going around that Eamon O'Shea (ex tipp coach) has been approached to get involved in some capacity. Not sure if he'd take on management job as his experience is more in coaching but he'd be a great addition to the setup if it's true.

That would be a fantastic appointment – not as outright managerial but as a coach.

He is top class and really commands the respect of the players. His drills are imaginative , quick and mobile.

Not sure how realistic this is given he backed out of Tipp for a stated reason – he needed to devote more time to family and his work as a lecturer in UCG.

I’m convinced Francis Forde is the stand out candidate.

Any see the article in the Midland Tribune, (reproduced on hoganstand.com - http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=155441) during the week?

Some of the names mentioned therein would really make you fear for the future of Offaly hurling - this talented generation of hurlers could be lost. Of all those mentioned in the article, only Eamon O'Se and Francis Forde would be capable of maximising the considerable potential that exists in this group of players. Two exceptional coaches and motivators, each with a comprehensive understanding of the modern game, they would be good appointments.

Some of the other candidates would be downright disastrous for Offaly hurling.

You'd hope this article was a page filler written by some eager ill-infomed journalist.

You really would hope!

Journalists have to look informed, even when they aren't. ( )

I'd say what happened here is that there was a solid basis for a couple of names, and after that to flesh out the piece the scribe picked out a few past hurlers with either club or underage management experience and threw them on the page too. If I was to write that Galway minor manager Mattie Murphy is linked with the vacant Clare job, everyone would assume I must know something to make the link. On the other hand I could throw in a name like Brian Lohan or Jamesie O'Connor at the bottom of the piece, simply because they are former hurlers doing a bit of management and I'm sure they got mentioned in a committee room somewhere along the line, even if it was just to say "the lads aren't ready yet, we'll come back to them in a few years". It sounds so plausible that even if the lads themselves and Clare county board had no interest, nobody will ever deny it. They aren't going to come out and say they've no interest in managing Clare, and the county board isn't going to bother making a big statement rejecting the lads when there's no need.

Paddy Kirwan appointed.

alltheway wrote:Paddy Kirwan appointed.

you must be fcuking joking if so heres one who won't be watching them

Theres no way that could be true.. As far as I know they havent even started interviewing yet.. Any surely they could get someone better than that ape...

alltheway wrote:Paddy Kirwan appointed.

Bord na Mona man wrote:

alltheway wrote:Paddy Kirwan appointed.

i'd say old micheal would have more of a idea of it than big sack

alltheway wrote:Paddy Kirwan appointed.

rumour has it that Cody has his eye on the job

I doubt the validity of the above statement BUT if it was true, the panel should just strike.

Such a course of action should never be suggested lightly but that's how strongly I, and I believe many others, would feel on the issue. The future of Offaly Hurling is at stake, we are one more bad appointment away from becoming the next Laois.

Don't shoot the messenger but come monday , this will be common knowledge..

After the performances of Drumcullen and the under-21s this year, there is no way the county board would present Paddy Kirwan with a straight face. It's not even the case that it's a football dominated board who were looking for an easy answer - the chairman is from Coolderry and the majority of the management committee would be hurling people first.

I find this really hard to believe.

i wouldn't put it pass our county board to tell you the truth it is something they would do