Offaly vs Wexford 2016 Hurling Qualifier - Saturday July 2nd
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2016 10:18 am
Away to Wexford it is.
Not the worst draw in the world. I think Eamon Kelly will be happy with that considering the result against them in the league. Wexford seem to be on a pretty low ebb at the moment. They looked totally off the pace against Dublin in Croke Park. Wexford will still be strong favourites but there is room for optimism here I feel.
Offaly started very well against Galway and if we can carry that forward it would be great. Egan getting sent off was a real sucker punch. It's hard not to feel hard done by considering what was going on between Dooley and Burke. But in spite of that I thought Offaly finished out the 1st half reasonably well by only conceding 2 more points and sticking over one of their own. Galway swept through us for the 1st 15 mins of the 2nd half and there was a danger of a whitewash. But in fairness to the lads they never gave up and gained a foot hold in the game again with 14 men and got the gap back to 6 points before Galway had a man sent off. I was disappointed that we couldn't make use of the initiative we gained from the goal and then being back 14 V 14 but Galway turned on the burners then again to ensure victory and their quality showed when they needed scores to put the result beyond doubt. I don't normally give out much about referees but there were some pretty harsh decisions yesterday I felt, particularly against Offaly.
There were definite positives to draw from yesterday all the same despite of a 10 point defeat. Offaly have done an awful lot of Hurling this year playing 14 games between Walsh Cup, League and Championship so far, which is great and will stand us in good stead for next year I feel. We have blooded a lot of players and given them some very tough hard games that will bring them on a lot.
Emmet Nolan coming on yesterday was good to see and I know some lads will not agree with him, Kevin Connolly, King and Kiely coming back into the setup because they weren't there from the start, but if they have genuine reasons and have demonstrated to Eamon Kelly that they are committed and that he is happy with that, and as long as they have been doing the best they can away from the squad, then I'm more than happy to have them on board to add more quality to our squad. I think Kelly himself has learned a lot and is seeing the best positions for his players also with every game. Bergin on the edge of the square is where he needs to be and I believe Kinsella and Murphy are improving with every game.
I really think we can trouble Wexford and lets hope that the year isn't over yet.
Esto Fidelis
Not the worst draw in the world. I think Eamon Kelly will be happy with that considering the result against them in the league. Wexford seem to be on a pretty low ebb at the moment. They looked totally off the pace against Dublin in Croke Park. Wexford will still be strong favourites but there is room for optimism here I feel.
Offaly started very well against Galway and if we can carry that forward it would be great. Egan getting sent off was a real sucker punch. It's hard not to feel hard done by considering what was going on between Dooley and Burke. But in spite of that I thought Offaly finished out the 1st half reasonably well by only conceding 2 more points and sticking over one of their own. Galway swept through us for the 1st 15 mins of the 2nd half and there was a danger of a whitewash. But in fairness to the lads they never gave up and gained a foot hold in the game again with 14 men and got the gap back to 6 points before Galway had a man sent off. I was disappointed that we couldn't make use of the initiative we gained from the goal and then being back 14 V 14 but Galway turned on the burners then again to ensure victory and their quality showed when they needed scores to put the result beyond doubt. I don't normally give out much about referees but there were some pretty harsh decisions yesterday I felt, particularly against Offaly.
There were definite positives to draw from yesterday all the same despite of a 10 point defeat. Offaly have done an awful lot of Hurling this year playing 14 games between Walsh Cup, League and Championship so far, which is great and will stand us in good stead for next year I feel. We have blooded a lot of players and given them some very tough hard games that will bring them on a lot.
Emmet Nolan coming on yesterday was good to see and I know some lads will not agree with him, Kevin Connolly, King and Kiely coming back into the setup because they weren't there from the start, but if they have genuine reasons and have demonstrated to Eamon Kelly that they are committed and that he is happy with that, and as long as they have been doing the best they can away from the squad, then I'm more than happy to have them on board to add more quality to our squad. I think Kelly himself has learned a lot and is seeing the best positions for his players also with every game. Bergin on the edge of the square is where he needs to be and I believe Kinsella and Murphy are improving with every game.
I really think we can trouble Wexford and lets hope that the year isn't over yet.
Esto Fidelis