www.uibhfhaili.com

Now I know in one sense a double header is probably the way to go - I still have to say I'm not best pleased at our boys having to play on away turf for no reason other than it suits. I'd be interested to see if we got anything out of this in return.


I'm also not best pleased because while I am home for the weekend, I was also looking forward to taking in a few club games - particularly the Doon - Pullough one. This now leaves me choosing. Feck that anyway.

I believe all Sunday games have been switched to either Saturday or Monday to accomodate the hurling supporters, something pro active from the county board/fixtures commitee!!!

That's great stuff. Monday might be tricky with the flying back, but at least it's making a bit of effort - as soon as anyone has the times, can they post them up here? Sound .....

So, Thurles is confirmed as the quarter final venue. I wouldn’t have any fears about the venue as; contrary to popular belief, Offaly’s record over the last 15 years or so at the venue is actually quite good. The title of ‘Graveyard of Offaly hurling’ grew during the 70’s and 80’s when efforts at a breakthrough frequently ended in Semple Stadium, for example, the league semi-final defeat by Clare in 1977, the 1981 league final and the centenary cup semi final defeat by Cork after a big half time lead was lost. Offaly’s first major win at the venue came when Galway were hammered in the 1984 semi-final, but a month later, the All-Ireland defeat by Cork was blamed on th venue. A league semi-final defeat by Limerick the following April did nothing to allay ‘Thurlesphobia’ however.

The 1990’s team brought a change of fortune, however, beginning with the 1986 minor semi final win over Galway then a league quarter final win over Waterford (in extra time following a draw), when Offaly went on to win the league for the first time. Cork were beaten in a league quarter final in 1995, and then followed the most notable of all, in 1998 when Clare were overcome in the semi final refixture. More recently, there was the 2003 qualifier win over Limerick.

Tipperary suffer from home venues for such occasions, as Thurles is almost every county’s favourite venue. Galway, for example, had no hesitation in agreeing to toss for venue for a qualifier round in 2003. Winning the toss gave Pearse Stadium a hurling championship debut, while Thurles is a ground in which they were comfortable anyway.

The pitch itself should suit Offaly. Offaly’s forwards will appreciate the extra space, and the surface will be in good order for this time of year. Remember, a firm surface that is wet on top following a shower doesn’t inhibit Offaly as much as other teams as ball handling is kept to a minimum anyway.

I don’t think Babs Keating is a factor either. Only three of the Offaly panellists were involved during his brief tenure in our county. Given Keating’s track record, chances are if he got favourable odds on an Offaly win, he’d have a punt and criticise them through the media beforehand.

A review of the previous league scorelines is also revealing. While the overall record is heavily in Tipperary’s favour, it’s interesting to note that Tipperary haven’t beaten Offaly in a tight scoreline in some 20 years, all of Tipperary’s wins in that period resulting from big wins with all the tighter verdicts going Offaly’s way.

Good stuff POTH in filling the void left by LS.

Anyone going to this game? And whereabouts are ye going if so? At the Limerick qualifier match I was on the Killinan end with about 30 Limerick fans, 5 Offaly fans and a Garda.

I heard that Nicky English trained the Tipp team last night instead of Babs.
They finished the session by attacking punch bags!
We might have some old fashioned "Hell's Kitchen" hurling from Tipp this weekend.

I'll definitely be going - so the Shark flag will certainly be in attendance for all of ye to come find ........ Not sure about the Shark itself - you'll have to ask BnaM man about that one.

So where's best end for us to congregate?

With a bit of luck, I'll be speeding Semple way on Sunday morning, through the wild back roads, with the shark in the boot!

The Town End terrace is the bigger and more modern one.
We had a great day there vs. Clare in '98, the giant flag getting passed along and the huge Offaly roar.
I think Tipp people seem to have a soft spot for the Killinan end.
Remember Galtee Mountain Boy's Tipp website that was called after it.
Also the great Tipp hurling writer Raymond Smith's wish was to die on the Killinan End during a Cork vs. Tipp (real) Munster final.
In saying that, there'll probably be a low enough amount of supporters from either county, so it mightn't matter a hoot!

On Easter Sunday hopefully we will see further evidence of the Offaly hurling Resurrection!

The weather:
"Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday will bring a good deal of dry weather with a mix of cloudy periods and sunny spells. "

That's it decided then!!

Town end Terrace. I expect we'll see ye all there?

OOOOOOOO-Fall-yaaaaa..........