Offaly v Antrim, NHL, 19/4/09

[uibhfhailiabu]

Whats the feeling about this weekends game? Absolutely crucial that we win, we cant afford to stay in this division for another year.

David Franks ruled out through injury along with David Kenny. Two huge losses to our full back line but hopefully we dont leak as much as we did down in Wexford. I think even with these couple of injuries, Offaly will be that bit too strong, i reckon Offaly to win by 6/7 points, although it wont be easy.

I see that the game is being televised live on TG4, that might keep some spectators away from O'Connor Park, hopefully not!!

[black and red exile]

It doesn't matter whether the game is on tv or not people still will not come and support the county teams. I honestly think this year is worse than ever and besides it's still a bit too early for the summertimers to make their annual appearance. The game itself, I can't see us having that many problems to be honest. We are playing a side that struggled desperatly against Westmeath and Carlow and really if we can't put Antrim away comfortably tomorrow then we can forget about making any decent progress this year. OFFALY BY 8 TO 12 POINTS.

[Plain of the Herbs]

I think Antrim will come to Tullamore and give this a right good rattle. Don't forget, they too have alot to play for. They'll travel tonight and won't be tempted by the residents' bar either!

Offaly now have an injury crisis on their hands, which is always a risk. The make-up of the defence will be interesting, and depending on availability, may line out with a full back line of Hernon, Cleary & Verney. If Ger Oakley is unavailable we may see Rory Hanniffy pressed into duty at 6. That's still not a bad defence, and Brendan Murphy'y return would lessen Hanniffy's loss to midfield somewhat.

Antrim may have struggled against Westmeath and Carlow, but they had a good win over Wexford so they've one up on Offaly. Westmeath gave Wexford a fright while, as we know, Offaly were a beaten docket by the 20 minute mark against Wexford.

A sunny day similar to today is promised. A day for the terrace! I wonder how the pitch will hold up though? It was very very soft last Sunday for the football - so soft that hopping the football on it was difficult. A soft pitch wouldn't suit Offaly at all.

I'd have my doubts about this one. If they are to win, Offaly will have to show a hunger for it, especially when Antrim turn on the heat - as they will. Feckitt, Offaly to shade it.

Lastly, cheers, uibhfhailiabu for putting the date in the thread title. Makes it easier to find the thread into the future.

[kinnittyman]

Could someone please try and explain to me what exactly is Daniel Currams's contribution to this Offaly team. Ive been to most games this year including Wexford and I cant for the life of me see how he has started every game. No movement, no awareness of play around him, no scoring threat. Im truly baffled. Even last year when everything went right against Limerick he was still annoymous. Now I know how LS feels regarding Alan McNamee!!!!

[black and red exile]

Kinnityman you are dead right. Currams is so far off the pace it's frightening, there is no doubt if Joe Bergin and Derek Molloy hadn't walked he would have been taken off alot earlier than the last minute. There is something very wrong right now with Danny Currams, no confidence, at least a yard off the pace,his body language screams out that he doesn't want to be there, although that probably goes hand in hand with lack of confidence. Joe Dooley has a massive job to get this guy right for the championship and quite frankly at this moment Danny would struggle to make the KK starting 15.

[GreatDayForTheParish]

Agree completely regarding Currams. Perhaps Cathal Parlon or Colm Coughlan (free taker also) deserve a chance?

Thought Rigney and Murphy were great. Clearly controlled the square well. Oakley was too loose and Hannify is wasted at wing back. Brady is a great wing back and did nothing spectacular at midfield so a direct switch needs to be made between himself and Rory.

Forwards are lacking penetration overall and, as we saw against Kilkenny last year, the ball was coming out from them far too easily on occasions today.

As regards Wexford, with a settled team it would be a toss up but with the current sate of chassis one must favour the yellow bellies.

[bracknaghboy]

Its worrying that Wexford are moving through the gears now late in the league campaign and we seem to be going backwards.....we've lost the early momentum. Only watched the game on TV yesturday but a huge improvment is required to give Wexford a game. At no stage did we step it up and take total control. Antrim had no goal scoring threat but if they did we would have been big trouble. Oakley may well have been on a sunday afternoon stroll. I know he plays relaxed but yesturday was his most slack in years. Reminded me of the 8 years he spent between '97 and '05 wandering around the pitch doing nothing but the odd time he did hit the ball (usually poorly) it was met with roars of approval ........must have been the hair that got the crowd going.
If we are to beat them we will need to go out and get stuck in from the throw in......similar to what has been done against Kilkenny in '07 and '08 although hopefully without the 2nd half blowouts.

[Rynaghs Biffo]

Many thanks to blackandredexile for the text updates, very grateful indeed!!

Good to hear the lads are still getting wins under their belts, maybe that loss against Wexford gave them a kick up the arse that they might of needed. Whats the news of Kenny's injury? We'd badly need some strenght in that full back line because its shown in the past that goals kill us!!

Will the hurling finals be played in Croker??

[Bord na Mona man]

Daniel Currams is still young and has good potential.
Perhaps he is being pushed in too soon. There's no harm in dipping young players in and out of the side.
For the left corner position, ideally you need someone who can shoot well off their left side, which Currams would be better at than Cathal Parlon or Colm Coughlan.

Not so sure about Cleary at full back.
On Sunday there were a few balls that dropped close to the Offaly square that a more clinical forward line than Antrim's would have got a couple of goals from. You can't afford to let those balls bounce and break in the danger zone. Cleary needs to be aggressive in attacking for the ball. He was levered off the ball a bit too easily by his marker.

Around the middle Offaly look good. Murphy, Hanniffy and Rigney are all clever players. Well able to control the ball quickly and move it on.
However we still don't have enough forwards to really put the opposition backs under pressure and make sure the ball isn't quickly cleared.

Cut out the bad goals and we have a chance against Wexford in the league final.

[Bord na Mona man]

Will the hurling finals be played in Croker??

Thurles I think.
Heino Cup match is on the day before.

[GreatDayForTheParish]

For the left corner position, ideally you need someone who can shoot well off their left side, which Currams would be better at than Cathal Parlon or Colm Coughlan.

Does Colm Coughlan not shoot off his left? Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't he take frees off his left hand side?
Unsure about Parlon.

[Bord na Mona man]

For the left corner position, ideally you need someone who can shoot well off their left side, which Currams would be better at than Cathal Parlon or Colm Coughlan.

Does Colm Coughlan not shoot off his left? Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't he take frees off his left hand side?
Unsure about Parlon.

Sorry, you are correct on that one - was getting Coughlan mixed up! No advantage to Currams on his orientation. Coughlan would be in with a good shout for 15 jersey all right, but Currams looks to be the man in possession.

Parlon is a conventional right hander, with the right hand on top grip, so would be more suited to the other corner. I'd say impact sub looks to be his lot for the moment. When he does come on he looks like someone who wants to try and do something.

[black and red exile]

Good to see ya back on board Rynaghs. The final is on Sunday week May 3rd at 2PM as the curtain raiser to the KK v TIPP div 1 final in Thurles. Not sure how long Kenny is out with the hamstring but the sooner he's back the better, Cleary is very unsure under the dropping ball and for a big man he should be more commanding, Kenny shows far more authority in the square and is a better fielder, I hear it will be fifty/fifty if he makes it for the final. Rumour has it that Franks could struggle to make it for the Wexford Park encounter on may 30th which would be a great shame as himself and Kenny back would steady up what, last Sunday, was a very shakey and nervy full back line that only looked a little more secure when Stephen Wynne came on for the injured Brendan O Meara in the corner.