Offaly v Laois NHL Round 1 26/2/12

[kinnittyman]

At last some meaningful inter-county fare returns. These Walsh Cup games are all well and good but the beginnning of the league usually means an improvement in the games coupled with an improvement in the conditions.

With this years league set-up it seems that Ollie Baker's room for experimentation is fairly limited as at all costs we want to avoid last place and a possible banana skin playoff game. And with just five games in the group (unless we surprise everyone and top the group and move onto the league proper semi-finals) we have a very small window to get things right ahead of the Wexford game in June. Resultantly I'd like us to send out a strong team on Sunday, hit the ground running and build some confidence for the rest the league campaign.

Does anyone know the state of play regarding injuries? And in particular the following players- Stephen Egan, Paul Cleary, David Kenny, Brendan Murphy. I only mention these guys as they seem to be carrying niggles on and off and get it hard get an injury free run at a year.

One thing that must be commended about Ollie Baker's tenure thus far is the releasing of teams to the media a few days in advance of a game. It makes a pleasant change from the last few years and not having a clue as to who would be playing. Long may it continue as if nothing else it gives us something to discuss.

Injuries permitting I'll hazard a vague guess at the team :
Goalkeeper: James Dempsey
Defenders: Stephen Egan, David Franks, Paul Cleary, Del Morkam, Diarmuid Horan, David Kenny
Midfledes: James Rigney, Rory Hanniffy
Forwards: Derek Molloy, Shane Dooley, Joe Bergin, Brendan Murphy, Conor Mahon, Dylan Hayden.

[townman]

i think there is a few still out kinnittyman that won't be there sunday i think Ollie Baker will still try players in this game
with the Coolderry lads missing i think Baker will look at the players he had for the Walsh cup i guess the team might go
on the lines of.

1.James Dempsey
2. Brian Watkins
3. Dave Kenny (capt)
4. Stephen Wynne
5. James Rigney
6. Rory Hanniffy
7. Diarmud Horan
8. Connor Mahon
9. Brendan Murphy
10.Colin Egan
11. Derek Molloy
12. Mark Morkham
13. Shane Dooley
14. Joe Bergin
15. Sean Ryan
sub's
16.Eoin Kelly
17.Barry Harding
18. Brian Mulrooney
19. Mick Verney
20. Ger Healion
21. Dermot Mooney
22. Chris McDonald
23. Sean Coughlan
24. Tommy Carroll
25. Del Morkam

[gunnerman]

Does anyone know the state of play regarding injuries? And in particular the following players- Stephen Egan, Paul Cleary, David Kenny, Brendan Murphy. I only mention these guys as they seem to be carrying niggles on and off and get it hard get an injury free run at a year.

Stephen Egan wont play any part in the league after a groin operation and will only be back with his club in a couple of months. David Kenny and Brendan Murphy are training away, the break Kenny took at the end of competitive action last year seems to be paying dividends. I don't know about Paul Cleary.

[Deadandgone]

Reports r watkins has left panel. It is a big year for offaly hurlers. The talent is there. Players need to commit 100%. And i think this team has great potential. They have to aim for leinster final and get into div 1. So that starts on sunday with a win over laois,nothing else will do. Some of there guys r in their prime now.

[kingscounty]

best of luck to hurlers against laois, have to agree i am hopeful this year the hurlers will do well, leinster final should be the aim and good league run. if we get coolderry boys back and baker can blend them all together this team should do well this year.

[Ahlethimoutwithit]

Can anyone shed any light on the situation wirh Del Morkham? He was one of our better hurlers over the last couple of years, he seems to be struggling to get any game time at the moment, any of ye hurling experts any reasons why?

[GreatDayForTheParish]

Can anyone shed any light on the situation wirh Del Morkham? He was one of our better hurlers over the last couple of years, he seems to be struggling to get any game time at the moment, any of ye hurling experts any reasons why?

Haven't heard anything specific. Ever since he arrived in the scene two years ago, he has been peerless from wing back with the style and class for intercounty hurling present from day one. Some of his displays from No.7 have been truly exceptional.

Owing to that I can only assume he's been carrying an injury. Otherwise Del at wing back should be one, if not the, first name down on the defensive team sheet.

[townman]

he must be hurt but he was on the bench in a few Walsh cup games you would think he would be first in line for the number 7 shirt
but Diarmud Horan is back this year and has hurl well at left half back so who knows.

[Deadandgone]

Any word on hurling team for sunday. Should be out by now. Only 1 missin is shane kelly who got 8 weeks after westmeath. Very harsh. Lads will do worse during the year and wont even get sent off

[GreatDayForTheParish]

One thing that must be commended about Ollie Baker's tenure thus far is the releasing of teams to the media a few days in advance of a game. It makes a pleasant change from the last few years and not having a clue as to who would be playing. Long may it continue as if nothing else it gives us something to discuss.

Nice jinx there Kinnittyman!

[kinnittyman]

One thing that must be commended about Ollie Baker's tenure thus far is the releasing of teams to the media a few days in advance of a game. It makes a pleasant change from the last few years and not having a clue as to who would be playing. Long may it continue as if nothing else it gives us something to discuss.

Nice jinx there Kinnittyman!

Just thinking the same myself. Seemingly it will be on the Offaly GAA website at 11am tomorrow. I didn't realise we had this conveyor belt of talent that picking the team for the league opener would be such a challenge!!!

[Abercrombie Fitch]

The Russian transfer window didn't close til 12 tonight so it would have been foolish for Ollie Baker to pick a team if he still had potential. targets in mind. Arshavin would have given us another option at wing back

[Deadandgone]

It is a big secret.we do not want laois knowin our team. They mite come up with a plan to beat us

[Deadandgone]

Still no offaly team amounced.kk have 12 of all ireland team picked shows u the way they are thinkin. Team announced ready for action for 2012. Offaly should be doin the same. Have faith and confidence in the team that u pick each week.

[Lean Times]

Offaly team V Laois - James Dempsey; Michael Verney, David Kenny (c), Stephen Wynne; Derek Morka, Rory Haniffy, Diarmuid Horan; James Rigney, Conor Mahon, James Mulrooney, Derek Molloy; Brendan Murphy, Sean Ryan, Joe Bergin, Shane Dooley