O'Byrne Cup 2011

[black and red exile]

Heard the panel had their first training session yesterday, minus the Rhode lads of course so weather permitting it all kicks off again next Sunday in O Connor PK. Being a college team Dcu will obviously be very fit so the game will probably tell feck all about Offaly with fitness going to play a major part.

[Offaly2010]

Speaking of the panel, anyone hear anything about it? I presume Tom Cribbin will be interested in trying out some new young players during the O'Byrne Cup and National League.

[Offaly2010]

Offaly footballers back to the grindstone


Just under six months since they made their 2010 Championship exit at the hands of eventual All Ireland Finalists Down in O'Connor Park, Tom Cribbin's Offaly team return to competitive action this Sunday against DCU.
A relatively strong showing by a young Offaly side in the Qualifiers in 2010 has given rise to a cautious sense of optimism that this team can go well in both league and championship in 2011.

However the side that takes to the field this Sunday against the students will bear little resemblance to the side that runs out against Wexford in the summer.

With Rhode still involved in the Leinster Club Championship and with a number of players lining out for their colleges ahead of the Sigerson Cup, Tom Cribbin and his selectors will be down a number of players but that will give them the chance to run the rule over a number of players on the fringes of the panel.

For the players handed a jersey on Sunday, it is an excellent opportunity to show the management what they can do at the highest level and to stake a claim for inclusion in the squad of 24 for the rest of the year.

It will be a tough baptism for any newcomers on Sunday as DCU are the defending Sigerson Cup Champions and will be at their peak fitness ahead of their defence of that competition next month.

Offaly meanwhile could only begin training collectively again last weekend after the enforced winter break and they will be behind the fitness levels of their opponents.
Offaly exited the O'Byrne Cup last season at the hands of DCU who then went on to defeat Louth in the final.

The students are no doubt targeting a similiar preparation for the Sigerson this year and they should give Tom Cribbin's charges a very beneficial early season workout as Offaly prepare for a run at promotion from Division 3 in the Spring.

With that in mind and while acknowledging an understrength home side go into the game as underdogs, it is important, whatever the result, that the team puts in a strong performance to set the tone for the challenges ahead.
The game throws in at 2pm this Sunday in O'Connor Park.

http://www.offalyexpress.ie/sport/Offal ... 6680230.jp

[Bord na Mona man]

This match has been switched to Ferbane apparently.

[SearingDrive]

Thanks BNM man for advising change of venue, OCP must be unplayable. Wonder if game will go ahead in present weather?, must keep an ear to the Radio in morning.

[Offaly2010]

This match has been switched to Ferbane apparently.

Yes indeed tomorrow's game will now take place in Ferbane, throw in at 2pm.

[black and red exile]

Ferbane must be snow free

[bracknaghboy]

Am I alone in thinking the GAA is wasting it and everybodys elses time attempting to run off fixtures in December, January and early February? Loads of intercounty games off today and hardly surprising. Is the O'Byrne cup worth the effort? Can you really see if a chap is capable of intercounty standard at this time of the year against college teams and depleted intercounty teams? How many lads do we know that have gone on to play for Offaly based on performances at this time of the year? Cribbin would surely be able to tell more about a player by attending club championship games during the past year that watching players slop around in muck pits in Janary? I'd perfer to see county teams teams left alone to get on with their own heavy training at this time of the year and if they see fit they could organise challenge games among themselves. Its 10 Euro into these O'Byrne cup games which is shocking, its should be 5 Euro max. Any thoughts?

[Sam Maguire]

I have to say there is some merit in what you are saying but i am sure the managers would be organising challenges anyway.
At least this we get to see them in action albeit in dodgy conditions.
Tenner a head is a joke at this stage of the season but doesn't the proceeds go to some kind of benefit fund ?

[offalyguy]

I hear Matt Mitchell and James Keane are back in the panel. Two good additions to the defense I think.

[Bord na Mona man]

This match has been re-fixed for Rhode on Wednesday night at 7:30pm.

[black and red exile]

Somehow I think there is little fear of a traffic jam in Rhode on Wednesday night, the interest in this game and the Dublin v Westmeath game tomorrow night in Mullingar will be nil.

[SearingDrive]

Is it time to ditch the O'Byrne Cup and similar competitions? I can't see the point in playing these games, with depleted squads, and paying €10 for the dubious privilege. The GAA should revert to playing the leagues in November/ December, and resuming in February.That would do away with the ban on collective training in November and December, which is being ignored anyway.
Like Black and Red exile said, there won't be a huge crowd in Rhode tomorrow night to excite AA Roadwatch.
Still on fixtures, the GAA should introduce an open draw for the hurling and football championships, with some meaningful games starting in May, and finish in August.

[bracknaghboy]

We have the national GAA trying to run off intercounty fixtures in the depths of our increasingly severe winters. Then to balance things the Offaly county board fix as few club championship games as possible for the summer months!!!

[Plain of the Herbs]

Newstalk reporting a 0-17 to 0-8 win for DCU, including a run of 7 points without reply for the students.