Limerick 1-12 Offaly 2-10 NFL 27/02/2011

[Offaly2010]

An injury time Ken Casey goal helped us to a 2-10 - 1-12 win over Limerick in Newcastlewest today.

Great win in what was a must win game if we were to keep our promotion hopes alive. Hopefully we can kick on from here now and gain another 2 points on the road in Drogheda against Louth in two weeks time.

[Kevin]

Not getting carried away or anything, but this is good news.

Louth are flying right now so we should be excited for the significant challenge ahead.

In the meantime, bravo to all involved for pulling the Limerick engagement out of the fire!

[InDublin]

Hi, I'm new to this site. I find it useful to keep in touch with what is going on back home. Can anyone tell me what the team was today? I never seem to be able to find it in the usual places.

[Lone Shark]

Will expand later, but the team was:

Mulhall; B Darby, S Brady, Pender; Keane, Slattery, Lonergan; Coughlan(0-1), Dalton; McManus (0-1f), McNamee (0-3, 0-1f), Ryan (0-1); Dunne (0-2), Reynolds (1-1), Casey (1-1).

Subs used were Connor for Coughlan, Guilfoyle for Ryan, Deehan for Dunne, Coughlan for Deehan (inj), Mulhall for Casey

[InDublin]

Thanks. Still a lot of chopping and changing, I see, and certain players obviously unavailable. Anyway, a win is a win, I suppose.

[Bord na Mona man]

Reynolds on song for Offaly

NFL DIVISION THREE Offaly 2-10 Limerick 1-12: LIMERICK REMAIN without a win, but they went close to breaking their duck at Newcastle West yesterday.

Limerick goalkeeper Brian Scanlon was a central character in this close affair. He delayed a clearance to gift John Reynolds the opening goal which had the visitors 1-4 to 0-1 in front midway through the first half. But he made amends by scoring three points, all from 45s. By half-time Offaly led 1-6 to 1-4, with Reynolds, the game’s standout player, scoring 1-2. The Limerick goal was scored by Séamus O’Carroll which left only two points between them at the interval.

Points by Eoghan O’Connor, Ger Collins and Ian Ryan edged Limerick ahead within 10 minutes of the resumption, but a Niall McNamee free and a Ken Casey goal set Offaly up for the win.

OFFALY : A Mulhall; J Keane, S Brady, S Pender; B Darby, K Slattery, S Lonergan; R Dalton, J Coughlan; C McManus (0-1), J Reynolds (1-3), S Ryan (0-2); N Dunne (0-1); N McNamee (0-2, 0-1 free), K Casey (1-0). Subs : W Mulhall for Coughlan, T Deehan for Dunne, B O’Connor (0-1) for Ryan.

LIMERICK : B Scanlon (0-3, 0-3 45s); M Riordan, S Gallagher, J McCarthy; M McCormack, J Riordan, P Ranahan; E Joy, J Galvin; S Kelly (0-1), P Kinnerk, S Buckley; I Ryan (0-2, 0-1 free), S O’Carroll (1-1), G Collins (0-4). Subs : M Sheehan for McCormack, E O’Connor (0-1) for Kinnerk.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/spo ... 06795.html

[True Red]

Judging by that report it appears Reynolds had a good game and to be honest I am happy for the chap as he occasionally comes in for some criticism, but in my opinion anytime he has pulled on the Offaly jersey he has always given 100%.

[Bord na Mona man]

Judging by that report it appears Reynolds had a good game and to be honest I am happy for the chap as he occasionally comes in for some criticism, but in my opinion anytime he has pulled on the Offaly jersey he has always given 100%.

Agreed, but I'd still duck for cover if I were you!

[High School Musical]

The 2 points were the important thing here.
If we can get something out of Louth in Drogheda then I'd fancy us for promotion.

But I think Louth will have too much for in 2 weeks. That wouldn't rule us out entirely though, because we'd have 2 very winnable games against Tipperary & Waterford to follow

[faithfullad]

The fact that Reynolds loves taking shots from impossible angles instead of passing to the man in the the better position is what angers most people but he did well yesterday. When the U-21s return from their rest, He might be edged out though. I believe Bernard Allen is a far superior player.

[Lone Shark]

Okay, now that this has settled in, I have to say that I was thoroughly heartened by the nature of that Offaly win on Sunday. I don't think we were by far the better team, indeed I'd say Limerick would be entitled to claim that they didn't get what their play deserved out of the game, nonetheless we've lost a lot of these games down the years and this was very much a testament to Offaly's attitude on the day, in particular that of two men - Ciarán McManus and Niall McNamee. I'd give the shout to Ciarán Mac first - he was excellent again, covering every blade of grass, getting in tackles, using the ball and all the stuff that we're used to seeing from him. However in the last five minutes he did four things that won the game - he won two loose balls at midfield, he earned his own free and he struck it brilliantly, as good a dead ball as I've ever seen the man take. On 65 minutes he was on course for a seven or eight out of ten grade for his performance, that went up to nine or more and clear man of the match by the time the final whistle blew. A lot of people whose opinions I would respect believe that the time has come for him to step aside - I just can't have it, he's still a huge asset on the field.

Secondly, doffed cap to Niall. Not because he had a brilliant day by his standards - he didn't, although he was good by any regular yardstick. I was just impressed with the way that when we were a point down, and he got a chance to bear down on goal with a minute or two to go, rather than take the easy option and fist the ball over the bar, he saw the goal was on and made it happen. Nerves of steel and the kind of cut-throat instinct that has been all too rare from Offaly footballers in recent years.

In terms of the rest of the team, they were short a lot of potential defensive subs and I have a sneaking suspicion that if there was anyone left on the line that was suitable to bring in, they would have done so. Nonetheless there were some good performances - I would say that Stephen Lonergan and Richie Dalton remain in good form and yet again they won their personal battles, Lonergan against a very good player in Stephen Kelly, while John Coughlan continues to do well despite not looking spectacular. I constantly watch Coughlan and I don't think he's at much, and yet if he's taken off, things fall apart. He's just one of those midfielders who might not always do a lot - though he did take one good point and won a couple of key breaks - but he fairly shuts down his opponent too. He had the toughest assignment of anyone out there marking John Galvin, an All Star, and he shut him out.

Nigel Dunne was very different to Bernard Allen in that he was a bit more physical, more direct, and maybe a bit less active - but he was effective for the first forty five minutes or so and took two excellent scores before fading at the end. I rate him highly myself and certainly he's kept himself in the mix with a promising perfomance.

This game was absolutely huge - we can now go to Louth in a nothing to lose mindset - win and promotion is in our hands, but lose and all you've done is lose a game that everyone expected you to lose.

That said, I can't have this idea that Louth are strong favourites in a football match over Offaly - I see why people respect them, but I still think they're very average. With a little bit of wind on our backs, I like our chances now. That thing of three years without an away win was a huge monkey on everyone's back, it's absolutely great to be rid of it. Great chance now to push on.

[Long John]

Yes I have to agree that the result is what really matters and they just about got it thankfully. It appears they got alot of luck from the reports I read and maybe its about time Offaly got a break. By all accounts Reynolds goal was a bit of a cock up by the Limerick keeper but Offaly have had days like that too.

Regarding Reynolds, True Red I wouldnt get too carried away. As Ive said before, Reynolds generally contributes a few scores at this time of year against the lower division sides in the early months when players are not as sharp as they coould be. I always maintain college players should be standing out in these games as they are at peak fitness after preparations for Sigerson cup. Worryingly he only was a sub on the Athlone IT team, a team that was well beaten by Carlow IT. From an Offaly perspective it was interesting to see Nigel Dunne and David Egan were selected ahead of him on that team. I dont rate the lad, he's well able to take a score (if you hand it to him) but has frustrated me hugely in the big games when he just doesnt want to work for the team. He'll shoot on sight from any angle when he does finally get a ball and some days like Sunday they will go over for him. I'll never change my view on that until he changes and finally proves his worth.

LS pointed out some people felt Mac should of stepped aside. I agree with LS totally, this man is badly needed and when he does go the team is rightly screwed because theres nobody there with the same pride and passion for Offaly as him. He is still the fittest man on the panel, he can do a few crazy silly things but in generally I think he is our key man still.

Backline stuggling a bit still. What other options are there. Shane Sullivan thats about it. Matt Mitchell has college football under his belt but appears not up to the county standard which I thought he would of done by now. Any other options?

[Bazil Brush]

Yes Long john we all know your thoughts on Reynolds from previous posts you made it very clear.I seem to recall you think hes a coward as well as very greedy. Good man. Limerick artnt that bad a team didnt they push kerry all the way in the munster final last year.Reynolds scored 1.3 from play and your still taking cheap shots. And you say your not gonna change your view until he proves his worth. To who you? Id doubt John Reynolds is to worried what you think about him. And isint it just as well.

[faithfullad]

Yes Long john we all know your thoughts on Reynolds from previous posts you made it very clear.I seem to recall you think hes a coward as well as very greedy. Good man. Limerick artnt that bad a team didnt they push kerry all the way in the munster final last year.Reynolds scored 1.3 from play and your still taking cheap shots. And you say your not gonna change your view until he proves his worth. To who you? Id doubt John Reynolds is to worried what you think about him. And isint it just as well.

Jaysus Christ you should learn to calm down. This is a message board for GAA fans from Offaly to discuss the goings on of it. Long John is entitled to his opinion(as are you). And he's probably right as well. Reynolds plays a good game and all of a sudden you have the right to give a smartarse reply and say ''good man''. What has Reynolds done of note in the Offaly shirt in the last 5 years? How many chances has he been given? So just grow up will ya.

[Bazil Brush]

Im sure long john is able to talk for himself. Reynolds was offalys top scorer from play Sunday and he still feels the need to cut the boots from under him.Get off his back for five minutes. He clearly has his knife in him. I think its long john and maybe yourself that needs to grow up.