Hard to know what to make of that. Offaly's best performance of the year probably. Was it there for the taking and should we be disappointed or were we lucky to only lose by 4? I'm leaning towards the latter.
A thought to keep in mind however lest anyone let this paper over the cracks - Offaly now require their best team, properly prepared to beat Dublin. Think about how big a deal that is. Were Offaly to have been missing 6 starters when playing Dublin say, 7 or 10 years ago, an easy victory would still have been the expected result for Offaly. No longer.
1:Despite the closeness of the result and the late goal that sealed it for Dublin, the Mets were the better team over the course of the day and had the extra gear to move into. The most accurate part of the game was perhaps the third quarter when Dublin moved into a 7/8 point lead without too much fuss. Indeed, Dublin found their scores easier to come by all day. They had a cohesive, prepared style of attack - clever passing, finding the man in space and bang. Some of their socres were brilliant for the way they were worked, apparently effortlessly but anything but, from player to player and from end to end.
2:Offaly meanwhile, were more limited in this regard and appeared have no other option bar 'Drive it up there' and hope for the best. The first half tells its own story - was it a mere 1-1 from play? Our offensive strategy was non-existant and only for Dublins' serial fouling the game would have been over by the 35. The second half offered more in the way of scores from play but the majority of these came from low percentage, but happy to get them, shots from way out the field. Clever forward play was non-existant.
3: To be fair to the management, this was partly as a result of the lengthy injury list. Of the forwards started, only Dooley and Bergin could really be described as 'scoring' forwards. The loss of Brian Carroll was huge in this regard. The remainder of the offensive division - Mahon, Egan, Molloy and Healion - are far too alike, and limited, to be contained in the one team. Of these Molloy is by far the best and is worthy of a place. The remainder less so.
4: Following on from the above - Dylan Hayden really is needed in the forwards. There are plenty superior defensive alternatives in the panel - let him home.
5: For those giving out about Ger Healion though - fair enough - but on what evidence could anyone have expected anything different? Honestly, if he was playing centre forward for KK against your club would you be worried? Enough said.
6: For a debutant, Eanna Murphy impressed. He has bags of talent - whether he makes the most of it is up to him.
7: I'm not convinced with Kenny at full back. In a sense he's too good a hurler - he'd be some centre back though.
8: Michael Verney had a great game - the kind his application and dedication deserves.
9: Our woeful record of sending off's continues. The second yellow was harsh -ish. The flick across the hand, classic Offaly. The first however, a minute before the second, was needless and it is there Molloy can have no complaints.
10: Our woeful record of poorly hit 21's/penalties continues.
All said Dublin were disappointing and played only in fits and starts. Psychologically, it was a big step for them though. Had we our full team....who knows. Here's hoping we avoid Cork in the first round qualifiers. This team and the injured, need more games and more time out of 2011.
offaly hurlers (great effort)
-
GreatDayForTheParish
- All Star
- Posts: 471
- Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:12 pm
-
Plain of the Herbs
- All Star
- Posts: 3504
- Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2004 4:47 pm
- Club: Lusmagh
Re: offaly hurlers (great effort)
Cheers for that, GreatDay. You’re on top of your game lately 
Just a few things to add to that. Absolutely Offaly’s best performance of the year. Only the win over Wexford in Tullamore comes close. Feck hurling in Birr. It takes Croke Park to get them to lift their game?
Offaly were aided by there being so much breaking ball, especially in the middle third. Offaly had the hunger to battle for the loose ball. Witness the amount of times hurlers were able to ‘tap’ the ball out of a ruck using the boot. The dinosaurs should not the only two times Offaly used that feckin’ ground hurling led to Dublin scores on each occasion.
It was a game of low intensity which suited Offaly too. Simply, Dublin weren’t up for it. I feared Dublin might wake up after the ‘dust-up’ but they didn’t. They were there for the taking. That Offaly didn’t nail them is disappointing, in a way. The converse of that is - what would happen if Offaly (even at full strength) were to meet a fired-up Dublin in a year or two with Dublin coming in on the back of a poor performance?
Sometimes when you’re complacent, the worst thing to happen is to get an early goal. That reinforces the complacency. Molloy’s sending off had a similar effect on Dublin, and actually suited Offaly. The Dublin management added to the laziness - making a string of substitutions (especially taking off Alan McCrabbe) was the signal to the team that the job was done.
Offaly did very well to keep the ball away from McCaffrey who I think was the free man for some time. Only one rushed clearance fell to Keaney which I think led to the blasted goal.
Perhaps, had Carton not got that goal, Offaly may have scored another point to reduce the gap to the minimum. Possession from the puckout might have drew the ’free to make a draw of it’. Such are the ifs and buts of hurling.
I do think Molloy can have few complaints about the sending off. He was quite a distance from connecting with the ball. In all fairness we can’t condone that while doing handstands over the chop that cost Rory Hanniffy the chance to line out.
At the risk of being accused of raining on the parade, I do think Offaly will get it very hard to lift themselves for the qualifier match. I’m thinking of last year when they couldn’t perform against the Limerick 2010 model. Obviously Cork would probably be a bridge too far, but a low-key match against Antrim or Carlow (either home or away) and a low-key performance befitting a match played at 2pm on a Saturday could leave Offaly vulnerable.
Just a few things to add to that. Absolutely Offaly’s best performance of the year. Only the win over Wexford in Tullamore comes close. Feck hurling in Birr. It takes Croke Park to get them to lift their game?
Offaly were aided by there being so much breaking ball, especially in the middle third. Offaly had the hunger to battle for the loose ball. Witness the amount of times hurlers were able to ‘tap’ the ball out of a ruck using the boot. The dinosaurs should not the only two times Offaly used that feckin’ ground hurling led to Dublin scores on each occasion.
It was a game of low intensity which suited Offaly too. Simply, Dublin weren’t up for it. I feared Dublin might wake up after the ‘dust-up’ but they didn’t. They were there for the taking. That Offaly didn’t nail them is disappointing, in a way. The converse of that is - what would happen if Offaly (even at full strength) were to meet a fired-up Dublin in a year or two with Dublin coming in on the back of a poor performance?
Sometimes when you’re complacent, the worst thing to happen is to get an early goal. That reinforces the complacency. Molloy’s sending off had a similar effect on Dublin, and actually suited Offaly. The Dublin management added to the laziness - making a string of substitutions (especially taking off Alan McCrabbe) was the signal to the team that the job was done.
Offaly did very well to keep the ball away from McCaffrey who I think was the free man for some time. Only one rushed clearance fell to Keaney which I think led to the blasted goal.
Perhaps, had Carton not got that goal, Offaly may have scored another point to reduce the gap to the minimum. Possession from the puckout might have drew the ’free to make a draw of it’. Such are the ifs and buts of hurling.
I do think Molloy can have few complaints about the sending off. He was quite a distance from connecting with the ball. In all fairness we can’t condone that while doing handstands over the chop that cost Rory Hanniffy the chance to line out.
At the risk of being accused of raining on the parade, I do think Offaly will get it very hard to lift themselves for the qualifier match. I’m thinking of last year when they couldn’t perform against the Limerick 2010 model. Obviously Cork would probably be a bridge too far, but a low-key match against Antrim or Carlow (either home or away) and a low-key performance befitting a match played at 2pm on a Saturday could leave Offaly vulnerable.
Pat Donegan. Signed out of respect for players and all involved with Offaly.
-
GreatDayForTheParish
- All Star
- Posts: 471
- Joined: Fri Sep 26, 2008 12:12 pm
Re: offaly hurlers (great effort)
After the Galway game last year, I remember thinking that on Sunday too. Certainly Shane Dooley anyway although for a player of his skill it makes sense that the crispest surface in the country suits him.Plain of the Herbs wrote:It takes Croke Park to get them to lift their game?
A couple of other things:
1: Joe Bergin - Centre Forward. End of. That said, I can understand what the management were trying to do by loading him, Dooley and Molloy on top of a Dublin back three short their first choice full back. However given Joe's inconsistent performances from full forward over the last few years PLUS his great form at centre forward during the league PLUS Offaly's complete lack of a decent centre forward for the last few years PLUS his form when moved there last Sunday surely means that he should be given an extended championship run there. Hayden for the full forward line perhaps?
2: Well done Brian Carroll for the effort he made in trying to rehabilitate himself from the injury. I've a huge amount of time for him both as a hurler and for his unquestioned commitment and dedication to Offaly hurling. Hopefully he'll be fit the next day.
Re: offaly hurlers (great effort)
the view from kilkenny, what they make of our performances:
There has been but fitful discussion of this game, which is a bit odd, since the tie should acquire significance reaching well beyond this summer. If Dublin lose, they are more or less back to square one. Such a result would stack as further evidence of a brittleness that will prevent them ever reaching top table. If Offaly lose, and lose hard, it will plunge the county to nadir. It would be difficult, especially in light of relegation to Division 2, for them to become seriously competitive for a few years -- even though, so far as personnel goes, they are reasonably well fixed. A few observations:
1 The Dublin camp is on an all time high. Sober people within Offaly believe all is far from well in their camp. The absence of a talent like Diarmuid Horan indicates the jersey's diminished prestige. Recent (substantial) defeat to Limerick in a challenge inspires no confidence. Item: Offaly's qualifier loss to Tipperary in 2010 was pockmarked by a notable lack of self-belief on their part. Then there is the list of absentees: Joe Brady, Paul Cleary, David Franks, Rory Hanniffy, Brendan Murphy, James Rigney. Even given Joey Boland and Tomás Brady's unavailability for Dublin, Offaly look to have tripped into a jinx hole. Hanniffy would get on any team in Ireland and Rigney is an excellent young hurler. Murphy, on his day, is highly talented and Franks is terrifically experienced. This mix of factors would seem to elect Dublin -- and by a fair margin.
2 Accordingly, the first half will be more than usually important. If Dublin can make early incursions, it could get real messy for the visitors. If Offaly can hold tight to halftime, their hosts could spook a bit. How wise was it of Stephen Hiney, speaking on The Sunday Game, to nominate his crowd as All-Ireland Champions in waiting? It was pleasing to see Dublin take the NHL title for 2011. But swift is the lapse of burning confidence, deprived of immediate new fuel, into ashy inhibition. If some of Dublin's early efforts at the posts go awry, the dynamic would tilt. Summarily, The Metropolitans' new standing has accrued from transmuting pots into shots. Tomorrow will be an audit on the durability of this alteration.
3 Seemingly, Éanna Murphy will replace Rory Hanniffy at centre-back. It is a massive ask for him to hold the centre against both Dublin's physical heft and pace. Equally, David Kenny is not fully fit. If he has to depart, there is no ready made replacement. Murphy will need to stay close to Kenny, denying David O'Callaghan -- who will surely start at full-forward, a placement that has re-invigorated him as a hurler -- the horseshoe-shaped pocket of space in which he thrives. Allowing Murphy to stay at home will require 70 minutes of punishing graft by Offaly's midfield and wing-forwards. These four men will have to pick up any extra bodies in the midfield so as to keep Murphy where he most needs to be: 20 yards from David Kenny.
4 The midfield contest -- face value, Alan McCrabbe and Liam Rushe versus Conor Mahon and Derek Molloy -- will be crucial. Here, The Midlanders are not badly served. If not yet an accomplished stickman, Mahon is admirably willing; by now, Molloy should have been at least an All-Star nominee. On known form, both men look to make ground by breaking the tackle. They might instead, early as possible in the contest, essay a few smart deliveries to the inside line. As of 2011, it is difficult to see many players besting Rushe, a rising star, in the tight. McCrabbe, though an excellent hurler, is another matter. The Faithful must hope that Mahon can raise his game and outmuscle McCrabbe for some key possessions. At his best, Molloy is well capable of discommoding Rushe. The Offaly wing-backs will need to be alert for handpasses from their midfielders.
5 There is a lot of speculation about the identity of Dublin's centre-back. I have thought for a while that their best option, in any case, might well be John McCaffrey. Personally, I would start him at 6. If he cannot cope with Ger Healion, it is a poor lookout. If McCaffrey is struggling, there is a natural switch with Rushe. Ryan O'Dwyer is likewise an option here, with Rushe heading to centre-forward. The percentages need to be parlayed. If McCaffrey looked the part at centre-back, it would be a big boost for the whole season and beyond, given that Dublin are not currently stuck for midfielders. They do lack an authoritative centre-back.
6 Offaly must be particularly worried about Michael Verney on any and all of the Dublin full-forwards. He hardly possesses the needful to stall their incisiveness and movement. Face value, Dublin have picked an imposing half-forward line. The redoubtable Derek Morkan aside, how well are the Offaly half-backs equipped to deal with this gambit? All in all, so long as wide-itis does not afflict Dublin and Paul Ryan continues his impressive freetaking run, there is scarce little reason not to anticipate them running up 20 scores.
7 Not much succour for Faithful followers in those observations. Do they have any chance? Where could they hurt these opponents? Answer: with their full-forwards. Peter Kelly, however replete with athleticism, is not one of nature's full-backs. Mostly, he is at a loss about how to mark the space. Given his grip, Kelly really struggles with a righthander striking off his left side -- the precise preference of both Daniel Currams and Shane Dooley. Niall Corcoran and Maurice O'Brien, the right side in defence, are hardly substantial intercounty figures. Offaly could get joy in these three positions. Nor is Shane Durkan, for all his improvement, a proven championship candidate. Oisín Gough is as tidy as they come but could struggle, as per Ollie Canning last June, in aerial combat. While Gary Maguire is fast becoming a top notch goalkeeper, goals for Offaly are not so unlikely a swerve.
8 End of day, you have to go with Dublin for their wider range of trumps. Offaly have nobody remotely of David Treacy's calibre on the bench. If Dublin start to perform from the off, the margin could be riffing emphatic. Still, on back of those doubts about their full-back line, a tight game -- on a scoreline of something like 1-20 to 3-14 -- is possible. But Dublin should do it -- and by seven or eight points, if they do it at all.
9 Something like 1-22 to 1-15.
and a second post i copied and paste!!
went in for a look at this. Main observations:
1. Offally could have won it if they had gone for long range points when they had 15 men instead of pumping long slow ball on top of their full forward which reaped virtually no dividends.
2. Oisin gough was outstanding at corner back for dublin.
3. Conor McCormack involved in more off the ball incidents again: was watching him closely and he was swinging back with the hurl continuously and got away with it. The Offaly man red carded (Derek Molloy?) was first booked for retaliating to one of these swings. Remember McCormack? Think back to the league final and the Larkin & Dalton incidents.
4. Dubs made excellent use of the ball when on top but were really rattled when Offaly got a run on them and didn't know what to do with the extra man until they brought Keaney back.
5. Ref gave alot of soft frees to Offaly.
6. Dotsy played very well: has the look of Damien Hayes about him (although he doesn't dive or fist pump like Hayes).
7. Liam Rushe excellent in first half but tired badly in second.
8. Ryan ODwyer can't strike the ball very well.
9. Peadar Carton with another great finish ( a bit like his u-21 final goal versus Offaly a few years back)
10. Daniel Currams and Parlon when he came on did well for Offaly.
11. Ciaran Hetheron should be banned to the stand for continuous entry onto the pitch. Have to admit I personally don't like him ever since he broke a hurl across me in a club game years back!
12. Dubs not as good as they looked in league final but they are getting there. It was a game they could have lost today but they dug in and pulled through. Can't see them beating Galway though.
what do ye think folks?
There has been but fitful discussion of this game, which is a bit odd, since the tie should acquire significance reaching well beyond this summer. If Dublin lose, they are more or less back to square one. Such a result would stack as further evidence of a brittleness that will prevent them ever reaching top table. If Offaly lose, and lose hard, it will plunge the county to nadir. It would be difficult, especially in light of relegation to Division 2, for them to become seriously competitive for a few years -- even though, so far as personnel goes, they are reasonably well fixed. A few observations:
1 The Dublin camp is on an all time high. Sober people within Offaly believe all is far from well in their camp. The absence of a talent like Diarmuid Horan indicates the jersey's diminished prestige. Recent (substantial) defeat to Limerick in a challenge inspires no confidence. Item: Offaly's qualifier loss to Tipperary in 2010 was pockmarked by a notable lack of self-belief on their part. Then there is the list of absentees: Joe Brady, Paul Cleary, David Franks, Rory Hanniffy, Brendan Murphy, James Rigney. Even given Joey Boland and Tomás Brady's unavailability for Dublin, Offaly look to have tripped into a jinx hole. Hanniffy would get on any team in Ireland and Rigney is an excellent young hurler. Murphy, on his day, is highly talented and Franks is terrifically experienced. This mix of factors would seem to elect Dublin -- and by a fair margin.
2 Accordingly, the first half will be more than usually important. If Dublin can make early incursions, it could get real messy for the visitors. If Offaly can hold tight to halftime, their hosts could spook a bit. How wise was it of Stephen Hiney, speaking on The Sunday Game, to nominate his crowd as All-Ireland Champions in waiting? It was pleasing to see Dublin take the NHL title for 2011. But swift is the lapse of burning confidence, deprived of immediate new fuel, into ashy inhibition. If some of Dublin's early efforts at the posts go awry, the dynamic would tilt. Summarily, The Metropolitans' new standing has accrued from transmuting pots into shots. Tomorrow will be an audit on the durability of this alteration.
3 Seemingly, Éanna Murphy will replace Rory Hanniffy at centre-back. It is a massive ask for him to hold the centre against both Dublin's physical heft and pace. Equally, David Kenny is not fully fit. If he has to depart, there is no ready made replacement. Murphy will need to stay close to Kenny, denying David O'Callaghan -- who will surely start at full-forward, a placement that has re-invigorated him as a hurler -- the horseshoe-shaped pocket of space in which he thrives. Allowing Murphy to stay at home will require 70 minutes of punishing graft by Offaly's midfield and wing-forwards. These four men will have to pick up any extra bodies in the midfield so as to keep Murphy where he most needs to be: 20 yards from David Kenny.
4 The midfield contest -- face value, Alan McCrabbe and Liam Rushe versus Conor Mahon and Derek Molloy -- will be crucial. Here, The Midlanders are not badly served. If not yet an accomplished stickman, Mahon is admirably willing; by now, Molloy should have been at least an All-Star nominee. On known form, both men look to make ground by breaking the tackle. They might instead, early as possible in the contest, essay a few smart deliveries to the inside line. As of 2011, it is difficult to see many players besting Rushe, a rising star, in the tight. McCrabbe, though an excellent hurler, is another matter. The Faithful must hope that Mahon can raise his game and outmuscle McCrabbe for some key possessions. At his best, Molloy is well capable of discommoding Rushe. The Offaly wing-backs will need to be alert for handpasses from their midfielders.
5 There is a lot of speculation about the identity of Dublin's centre-back. I have thought for a while that their best option, in any case, might well be John McCaffrey. Personally, I would start him at 6. If he cannot cope with Ger Healion, it is a poor lookout. If McCaffrey is struggling, there is a natural switch with Rushe. Ryan O'Dwyer is likewise an option here, with Rushe heading to centre-forward. The percentages need to be parlayed. If McCaffrey looked the part at centre-back, it would be a big boost for the whole season and beyond, given that Dublin are not currently stuck for midfielders. They do lack an authoritative centre-back.
6 Offaly must be particularly worried about Michael Verney on any and all of the Dublin full-forwards. He hardly possesses the needful to stall their incisiveness and movement. Face value, Dublin have picked an imposing half-forward line. The redoubtable Derek Morkan aside, how well are the Offaly half-backs equipped to deal with this gambit? All in all, so long as wide-itis does not afflict Dublin and Paul Ryan continues his impressive freetaking run, there is scarce little reason not to anticipate them running up 20 scores.
7 Not much succour for Faithful followers in those observations. Do they have any chance? Where could they hurt these opponents? Answer: with their full-forwards. Peter Kelly, however replete with athleticism, is not one of nature's full-backs. Mostly, he is at a loss about how to mark the space. Given his grip, Kelly really struggles with a righthander striking off his left side -- the precise preference of both Daniel Currams and Shane Dooley. Niall Corcoran and Maurice O'Brien, the right side in defence, are hardly substantial intercounty figures. Offaly could get joy in these three positions. Nor is Shane Durkan, for all his improvement, a proven championship candidate. Oisín Gough is as tidy as they come but could struggle, as per Ollie Canning last June, in aerial combat. While Gary Maguire is fast becoming a top notch goalkeeper, goals for Offaly are not so unlikely a swerve.
8 End of day, you have to go with Dublin for their wider range of trumps. Offaly have nobody remotely of David Treacy's calibre on the bench. If Dublin start to perform from the off, the margin could be riffing emphatic. Still, on back of those doubts about their full-back line, a tight game -- on a scoreline of something like 1-20 to 3-14 -- is possible. But Dublin should do it -- and by seven or eight points, if they do it at all.
9 Something like 1-22 to 1-15.
and a second post i copied and paste!!
went in for a look at this. Main observations:
1. Offally could have won it if they had gone for long range points when they had 15 men instead of pumping long slow ball on top of their full forward which reaped virtually no dividends.
2. Oisin gough was outstanding at corner back for dublin.
3. Conor McCormack involved in more off the ball incidents again: was watching him closely and he was swinging back with the hurl continuously and got away with it. The Offaly man red carded (Derek Molloy?) was first booked for retaliating to one of these swings. Remember McCormack? Think back to the league final and the Larkin & Dalton incidents.
4. Dubs made excellent use of the ball when on top but were really rattled when Offaly got a run on them and didn't know what to do with the extra man until they brought Keaney back.
5. Ref gave alot of soft frees to Offaly.
6. Dotsy played very well: has the look of Damien Hayes about him (although he doesn't dive or fist pump like Hayes).
7. Liam Rushe excellent in first half but tired badly in second.
8. Ryan ODwyer can't strike the ball very well.
9. Peadar Carton with another great finish ( a bit like his u-21 final goal versus Offaly a few years back)
10. Daniel Currams and Parlon when he came on did well for Offaly.
11. Ciaran Hetheron should be banned to the stand for continuous entry onto the pitch. Have to admit I personally don't like him ever since he broke a hurl across me in a club game years back!
12. Dubs not as good as they looked in league final but they are getting there. It was a game they could have lost today but they dug in and pulled through. Can't see them beating Galway though.
what do ye think folks?
Re: offaly hurlers (great effort)
I agree with the Kilkenny observations by and large. Also I agree that in retrospect Offaly should have gone the long range point route with Bergin sited at centre half forward (ref great posts from Great Day for the Parish). Maybe they have found a new Offaly style in the last few minutes of the game - playing similar to Cork a few years ago (and still) by peppering the posts with long-range efforts. If so Shane Dooley will have to find another partner in the full forward line to play off or else move to the half-forwards.
It's all a bit "what if" and simplistic but it might solve the problem Offaly have with ball coming straight back out from the forwards. Lie deep and bypass the two lines by launching long-range strikes from Dylan Hayden, Joe Bergin, Del Morkan, Brian Carroll, Shane Dooley, Conor Mahon, Derek Molloy, Paul Cleary. By all means play the ball in more to the full forwards against the wind or if the opposition is pushing up to mark our shooters.
It's all a bit "what if" and simplistic but it might solve the problem Offaly have with ball coming straight back out from the forwards. Lie deep and bypass the two lines by launching long-range strikes from Dylan Hayden, Joe Bergin, Del Morkan, Brian Carroll, Shane Dooley, Conor Mahon, Derek Molloy, Paul Cleary. By all means play the ball in more to the full forwards against the wind or if the opposition is pushing up to mark our shooters.
-
corner back
- All Star
- Posts: 203
- Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:41 pm
-
Bord na Mona man
- All Star
- Posts: 4043
- Joined: Fri Nov 05, 2004 11:34 am
- Club: Clara
Re: offaly hurlers (great effort)
corner back wrote:one man's opinion (taken from another site):
http://anmoltoir-hurling.blogspot.com/2 ... g-and.html
Very much on the money.Offaly, who played a much more direct, but less directed, game, regularly playing the ball blind and giving away possession.
Re: offaly hurlers (great effort)
Thats an anorak version of my whinge on another thread ... the stats tell it all ..
Dublin were overdoing the link up stuff, particularily in the first half ..
"Despite the closeness of the final score, this game confirmed Dublin’s status as a top-tier hurling county. They regarded themselves as being superior to Offaly and played accordingly, acting cool and confident and always looking for the constructive pass. They made particularly good use of the directed long pass, 23 of which were completed, ten more than Cork who used this ploy to good effect in Thurles, and no less than twenty more than Offaly, who played a much more direct, but less directed, game, regularly playing the ball blind and giving away possession.
This is reflected in the enormous difference between the two teams in terms of number of plays (other than free pucks). In the first half Dublin played the ball 214 times to Offaly’s 150; in the second half the gap was not as great (187/138), giving overall totals of 401 for Dublin and 288 for Offaly. Yet, for all their possession and passing movements, Dublin still managed fewer shots at goal (33 to Offaly’s 35)."
Dublin were overdoing the link up stuff, particularily in the first half ..
"Despite the closeness of the final score, this game confirmed Dublin’s status as a top-tier hurling county. They regarded themselves as being superior to Offaly and played accordingly, acting cool and confident and always looking for the constructive pass. They made particularly good use of the directed long pass, 23 of which were completed, ten more than Cork who used this ploy to good effect in Thurles, and no less than twenty more than Offaly, who played a much more direct, but less directed, game, regularly playing the ball blind and giving away possession.
This is reflected in the enormous difference between the two teams in terms of number of plays (other than free pucks). In the first half Dublin played the ball 214 times to Offaly’s 150; in the second half the gap was not as great (187/138), giving overall totals of 401 for Dublin and 288 for Offaly. Yet, for all their possession and passing movements, Dublin still managed fewer shots at goal (33 to Offaly’s 35)."
-
ditchhurler
- Intermediate
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:40 am
Re: offaly hurlers (great effort)
It is on the Leinster GAA website that the Walsh Shield Final Replay is on Wednesday night in Portlaoise. Is anyone able to confirm this?
Re: offaly hurlers (great effort)
Yes its on wednesday night at 7.30 in Portlaoise!ditchhurler wrote:It is on the Leinster GAA website that the Walsh Shield Final Replay is on Wednesday night in Portlaoise. Is anyone able to confirm this?
Re: offaly hurlers (great effort)
I know that the Dublin game is well passed but i've just been reading some of the comments now and I have to agree fair play to the lads for not giving and kept fighting all the way to the end, but we have to be reaslistic Offaly were completely outplayed for about 80% percent of the match and for most the match Dublin had a comfortable edge on Offaly, always leading by 7-8 points in second half, they easily pulled away from Offaly and Offaly only got back into the game when Dublin decided to fall asleep and take the foot off the gas for the last 10-12 minutes. Galway at their best are probably the best team in the country as they proved against Tipp last year and are always the nearly team. However I do expect them to beat Dublin with a bit of luck on their side. As for Offaly, they'll be playing Cork and stand little chance of causing an upset. When Cork do comfortably ease away from Offaly it's unlikely they'll let them back in.
Good show against Dublin from what is an extremely limited Offaly side (who posess in Ger Healion and Colin Egan, two of the slowest men in the country) but lacking nothing in heart and determintion but were flattered to be within 4 points of Dublin in the end.
Good show against Dublin from what is an extremely limited Offaly side (who posess in Ger Healion and Colin Egan, two of the slowest men in the country) but lacking nothing in heart and determintion but were flattered to be within 4 points of Dublin in the end.
Re: offaly hurlers (great effort)
well joey if we had the players that were missing i can tell you we would have won by 5 to 6 points no problem, kilkenny weren't missing as many and Dublin hammer them.joe123 wrote:I know that the Dublin game is well passed but i've just been reading some of the comments now and I have to agree fair play to the lads for not giving and kept fighting all the way to the end, but we have to be reaslistic Offaly were completely outplayed for about 80% percent of the match and for most the match Dublin had a comfortable edge on Offaly, always leading by 7-8 points in second half, they easily pulled away from Offaly and Offaly only got back into the game when Dublin decided to fall asleep and take the foot off the gas for the last 10-12 minutes. Galway at their best are probably the best team in the country as they proved against Tipp last year and are always the nearly team. However I do expect them to beat Dublin with a bit of luck on their side. As for Offaly, they'll be playing Cork and stand little chance of causing an upset. When Cork do comfortably ease away from Offaly it's unlikely they'll let them back in.
Good show against Dublin from what is an extremely limited Offaly side (who posess in Ger Healion and Colin Egan, two of the slowest men in the country) but lacking nothing in heart and determintion but were flattered to be within 4 points of Dublin in the end.
as for Galway the best team in ireland at there best we should have beaten them the two days plus they weren't at the races again kilkenny in the leinster final and if they
had to be playing anyone other than westmeath they would be in the backdoor now Galway are way off all ireland winners.
-
kingscounty
- All Star
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:42 pm
Re: offaly hurlers (great effort)
agree with you there townman on offaly,but i think if galway get over dublin they could be the surprise team this year.every other year there always in top 3 or 4 and everyone is hyping them up.but this year people are less optimistic about them and this might just take some pressure off them and they could do damage.sport is strange tho it all depends on the day ,things go with you or against you