Offaly U20 Hurlers 2025

[Bord na Mona man]

So you're more worried about the senior team blocking the progress of the u20s than the u20s blocking the progress of the seniors? That is genuinely hard to understand. The work these boys have put in to get back to where we are and you are tellin them that you want to prioritise an underage team instead of them?

I'm not worried about anything, because it's not going to happen the way you'd try to map it out.
No player will be stopped from playing U20 due to anything going on at senior. No U20 player will be needlessly flogged in an inconsequential match against Wexford, days before a U20 match.

That's the way it will happen and I'm fully on board. You can fret all you want about it.

You don't want them to be flogged before the u20 match but you don't mind them being flogged before the senior match? Lads have fought tooth and nail to get back to leinster and you're gonna tell me that a leinster championship match against wexford is inconsequential? Are you actually being serious?

You obviously have no recollection of what happened in the 2018 Leinster championship so.

[joe123]

I'm not worried about anything, because it's not going to happen the way you'd try to map it out.
No player will be stopped from playing U20 due to anything going on at senior. No U20 player will be needlessly flogged in an inconsequential match against Wexford, days before a U20 match.

That's the way it will happen and I'm fully on board. You can fret all you want about it.

You don't want them to be flogged before the u20 match but you don't mind them being flogged before the senior match? Lads have fought tooth and nail to get back to leinster and you're gonna tell me that a leinster championship match against wexford is inconsequential? Are you actually being serious?

You obviously have no recollection of what happened in the 2018 Leinster championship so.

Of what relevance is that can you explain?

[Bord na Mona man]

You don't want them to be flogged before the u20 match but you don't mind them being flogged before the senior match? Lads have fought tooth and nail to get back to leinster and you're gonna tell me that a leinster championship match against wexford is inconsequential? Are you actually being serious?

You obviously have no recollection of what happened in the 2018 Leinster championship so.

Of what relevance is that can you explain?

Offaly wasted energy on a game of no consequence to our survival and paid the price.
If Offaly and Antrim are both pointless after week 3, then Offaly need to deprioritise the Wexford game.
This is basic squad management, and if I'm needing to explain it, then you're well behind.

[joe123]

Dear Leinster council,

We wish to advise that we will only be partaking in one game in the leinster championship this year, the final game against Antrim. We feel that this is the only game that matters. We believe the other games are inconsequential, we ask that you ignore our recent win away in Dublin and our result against wexford last year.. we believe they were fluke and come championship we simply will not be able to compete against such teams, we'd like you to refer to our 2018 championship campaign results. We'd also like to note that we cannot field a full team of our best players for these matches as we feel success at underage level is more important. We'll have a full team for the Antrim game, we think we have a good chance in that one and we can field a full team as it won't hinder our chances of u20 success.

We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

[joe123]

You obviously have no recollection of what happened in the 2018 Leinster championship so.

Of what relevance is that can you explain?

Offaly wasted energy on a game of no consequence to our survival and paid the price.
If Offaly and Antrim are both pointless after week 3, then Offaly need to deprioritise the Wexford game.
This is basic squad management, and if I'm needing to explain it, then you're well behind.

You're already assuming that we will be pointless, well I'll tell you what why don't we field a full team at every opportunity up to the point of that wexford game including in a competitive league final and get the team ready to gain points somewhere along the line instead of holding back the u20s to chase underage glory. If we did that then maybe we go into the wexford game where it means something. And again double standards, if survival is so important and more important than winning the u20, then the u20 game becomes inconsequential as a result

[Lone Shark]

Not everyone disagrees only 2 or 3 here that are writing back, "everyone that has spoken up about it" doesnt constitute all others.. my language is fine also as piss take is a turn of phrase and not meant in terms of bad language. I am genuinely shocked that lads are considering an u20 leinster championship more important than senior championship. If you consider a lot of the u20 squad will never be good enough to play senior, some of them probably aren't currently on their club senior teams, it's genuinely shocking how you are comparing the 2 and suggesting u20 is more important. Now that's what I'd call malarkey. And Kevin I've been reading articles and stuff from you for 20 years and no better man to carry on with the same malarkey every year when reviewing/previewing clubs, players etc. If I wanted a man to beat the same drum about a particular point and carry on with malarkey as you put it, I'd have you in my corner . Now before you reply, you'll note that all my opinions are just that and I haven't taken personal aim at anyone. But you've chosen to take aim at me because you don't like my opinion.

I'm not taking aim because I don't like your opinion. I'm taking aim because you are needlessly confrontational, and continuing with this nonsense of saying you're "shocked" that everybody doesn't think like you, when it has been repeatedly explained to you by several others why they think differently. Being shocked is fine the first time, not four or five pages of posts later, particularly when the Offaly senior hurling manager himself has made it clear that the priority for the U-20s over the next few weeks will be their preparations for the U-20 Leinster championship. It's perfectly fine to take a minority viewpoint, but this pretence of being utterly appalled that everyone else doesn't fall in line is where you're driving people cracked.

Lest there be any doubt, I'm talking about this kind of stuff.

you're gonna tell me that a leinster championship match against wexford is inconsequential? Are you actually being serious?

And even to take this at face value, of course it's possible that it could be inconsequential. If the bookies' odds are correct, it's not just possible, it's likely. The priorities for the round robin stage of the Leinster SHC are:

(1) Do not finish 6th.
(2) If possible, finish in the top three.
(3) If things go really well, finish in the top two.

Now if the time comes to go to Wexford Park and winning the game would be a significant step in terms of reaching any of those three targets, then of course there is a conversation to be had, and it'll be Johnny Kelly and Leo O'Connor, and presumably Tom Parlon, who will have that conversation. But if we go to Wexford Park without points on the board, while Antrim also have somewhere between zero and two points from their first three games in advance of a trip to Salthill where they haven't a prayer of winning, then it is simply the plain truth that the game in Wexford doesn't matter.

Now you are perfectly entitled to hold the view that it would still be more important to the long term development of the team to win that game, as opposed to making progress in the U20 championship. You are entitled to go to your club and try to get support for the idea of pushing that agenda at a county board meeting, if you wish.

But for the love of God, stop pretending to be shocked that it's a minority view, when clearly most of the rest of us, and Johnny Kelly to boot, are all making it very clear that we think differently, and have spelled it out to you exactly why.

[Lone Shark]

Dear Leinster council,

We wish to advise that we will only be partaking in one game in the leinster championship this year, the final game against Antrim. We feel that this is the only game that matters. We believe the other games are inconsequential, we ask that you ignore our recent win away in Dublin and our result against wexford last year.. we believe they were fluke and come championship we simply will not be able to compete against such teams, we'd like you to refer to our 2018 championship campaign results. We'd also like to note that we cannot field a full team of our best players for these matches as we feel success at underage level is more important. We'll have a full team for the Antrim game, we think we have a good chance in that one and we can field a full team as it won't hinder our chances of u20 success.

We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Okay, I'm done with this whole line of conversation. I try to be reasonable and thoughtful, taking you at face value even after you make personal shots, and this is the response. Life is too short to be at this messing.

[private joker]

Senior mgt will ultimately have the final call I would assume and they will try to be fair to everyone to obtain the best possible outcome for both teams. It's not a simple task to sort out and manage.

[joe123]

Dear Leinster council,

We wish to advise that we will only be partaking in one game in the leinster championship this year, the final game against Antrim. We feel that this is the only game that matters. We believe the other games are inconsequential, we ask that you ignore our recent win away in Dublin and our result against wexford last year.. we believe they were fluke and come championship we simply will not be able to compete against such teams, we'd like you to refer to our 2018 championship campaign results. We'd also like to note that we cannot field a full team of our best players for these matches as we feel success at underage level is more important. We'll have a full team for the Antrim game, we think we have a good chance in that one and we can field a full team as it won't hinder our chances of u20 success.

We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Okay, I'm done with this whole line of conversation. I try to be reasonable and thoughtful, taking you at face value even after you make personal shots, and this is the response. Life is too short to be at this messing.

First personal shot came from you.. and just because the 3 or 4 who have actually responded on here disagree doesn't mean it's minority view or represents the view of people around the county.. and there have been other posters on the senior thread that agreed.. you can sugar coat it how you like, senior is more important than u20 and you get your best senior team on the pitch for every game. My point is being missed a bit also because it's different sitting here months in advance saying a game doesn't matter than when the time comes and we know where we stand.. if the Antrim game becomes do or die and our u20s have been shining there is absolutely no way they should be risked to play any kind of underage match 4 days before hand. And you can think of being dramatic but I am shocked people are thinking this way.. I'd love to know what the players think? Like I said had senior management told me that I couldn't play under 21 at the time because I was gonna be playing senior championship, it wouldn't have mattered to me what our chances were, I'd have jumped at the senior team.

[Bord na Mona man]

Dear Leinster council,

We wish to advise that we will only be partaking in one game in the leinster championship this year, the final game against Antrim. We feel that this is the only game that matters. We believe the other games are inconsequential, we ask that you ignore our recent win away in Dublin and our result against wexford last year.. we believe they were fluke and come championship we simply will not be able to compete against such teams, we'd like you to refer to our 2018 championship campaign results. We'd also like to note that we cannot field a full team of our best players for these matches as we feel success at underage level is more important. We'll have a full team for the Antrim game, we think we have a good chance in that one and we can field a full team as it won't hinder our chances of u20 success.

We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Strawman argument.
The point still stands, if Offaly are approaching the Antrim game knowing it's winner takes all, then throwing the kitchen sink at Wexford is wasteful.
Seriously, it can't be that difficult to comprehend.

[joe123]

Dear Leinster council,

We wish to advise that we will only be partaking in one game in the leinster championship this year, the final game against Antrim. We feel that this is the only game that matters. We believe the other games are inconsequential, we ask that you ignore our recent win away in Dublin and our result against wexford last year.. we believe they were fluke and come championship we simply will not be able to compete against such teams, we'd like you to refer to our 2018 championship campaign results. We'd also like to note that we cannot field a full team of our best players for these matches as we feel success at underage level is more important. We'll have a full team for the Antrim game, we think we have a good chance in that one and we can field a full team as it won't hinder our chances of u20 success.

We appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Strawman argument.
The point still stands, if Offaly are approaching the Antrim game knowing it's winner takes all, then throwing the kitchen sink at Wexford is wasteful.
Seriously, it can't be that difficult to comprehend.

Likewise if it's winner take all for Antrim, you don't risk your players for an underage match 4 days before hand, let me emphasise underage match which will have no consequence for the future of Offaly hurling only be nice to have a bit of glory. The number one priority in offaly hurling this year is to stay in leinster. Seriously, it can't be that difficult to comprehend.

[Bord na Mona man]

let me emphasise underage match which will have no consequence for the future of Offaly hurling only be nice to have a bit of glory.

Jesus, the U20s 'golden boys' winning trophies has really rattled you!

[One Time]

For what it's worth I'd tend to agree that some lads on here are putting a bit too much value on the u20s retaining their crown.. There are obviously some grey areas on where we stand when we play wexford etc and who should be available but shouldn't be relevant to the u20s... the u20 starters to me are seniors now and should play as part of that team and the u20 will look after itself.. id agree u20 ultimate goal is to develop players for the senior team and its good to win and we should help this where it doesn't impact the senior team and make players available. Senior team for the most part should be priority. I'm a bit surprised myself after all the hard work to get here that so early in the year we're sayin some leinster championship games are inconsequential, I wonder what the older brigade who have been to the depths to get back here think of that sentiment.. I saw one of the posters, think it was LS say that we shouldn't play the u20s as they would only be keeping the score down against Galway and kilkenny, scandalous comment whoever made it and can imagine what senior players think of it! (apologies if wrong poster named) I'd also agree that it's great to see a few lads have made the step to senior and it allows more game time for squad players to get game time and develop at u20 level. Agree a pragmatic approach should be taken when going to wexford depending on the lie of the land, we can probably rest players , including some u20s. I suppose i can see both sides of it but nothing should happen that would hinder the seniors progress. In the case of the league final, a chance to win a national senior title and play against Waterford should be grabbed with both hands and full team should be available. I think both Waterford games will be a good test because they want to build momentum and have players back, for the first game I think we should rest some players but we want to build confidence and momentum too.. as for the Antrim game, if its winner survives then there's no way any of our starting team should be playin a match within a week of it.

[Faithfully]

Fooling nobody Joey.

[joe123]

Fooling nobody Joey.

Not trying to fool anyone.. expressing my opinion simples.. senior is more important than u20 end of story