Re: Offaly Hurling 2020
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 7:40 pm
Offaly missing or not being awarded a score is fair post to make, it happened (not exactly sure) but going to say mid 2nd half, it didnt happen in the last minute or 2...Offaly had enough of a lead at one stage, total control almost, but just died away, some of the subs were baffling, Brian Duignan, who I hope reaches his potential, shoots on sight, yeah, grand and all that but sometimes, as Eoghan Cahil in fairness does, spots a loose man in a better position, I dont know if this has been said to Duignan, as last two games, even when well ahead against Derry, he was shooting from rediculous positions out on the sideline, that should only happen in one game, not 2 in a row...without harping on, too many so called stars, particulary in our forwards, havnet raised a puff, and dont look like raising a puff, get rid and bring on these younger lads...I would be spring cleaning that panel, nothing too radical maybe but some are there too long with little or nothing to show for the pedigree they are talked up to be...sorry, but thats as I see it, they are adults, not kids....Bord na Mona man wrote: ↑Sun Nov 15, 2020 11:36 am First things first, Offaly were somewhat unlucky in having a valid goal from a penalty not allowed. Would Offaly have won if it was counted? It's hard to know, unfortunately I doubt Offaly would have pulled away.
For years now in games where Offaly play a 'lesser' team the game seems to follow a distinct pattern. Offaly get a lead of 3 or 4 points and then go into a holding pattern where they don't push ahead. Invariably they let the other back into the game. This is why underdogs love playing Offaly. The door will be left open for them.
Down of course played very well yesterday. They stuck with it right through and were worth their win. It's a mild surprise that Offaly lost, in no way is it a shock. The decision making and shot selection was poor throughout. For about 2 minutes of extra time Offaly played with clear headed precision and purpose, before reverting again.
I believe the management should be a given a proper chance. It looks obvious that Fennelly overestimated the qualities of the squad, mentally and hurling wise. Playing Tipperary in a challenge match recently showed over-optimism. He played for Ballyhale and Kilkenny who dominated their arenas, so he doesn't have a background in operating in struggling teams.
He will have learned a lot, even from a curtailed season. He should be allowed apply this and come back with a modified blueprint.
Watching the other games yesterday with Cork, Tipp, Galway and Kilkenny. It's a long way ahead of where Offaly are now.
The manner in which these teams move off the ball and bullet 30 and 40 metre stick passes to each other that go straight to hand.
Are usual this defeat will bring out the Pol Pots of Offaly hurling where the 'year zero' is 1980 and any advancement from then should be treated with distain and dismissed.
Those demanding that Offaly look to the past in order to move forward would do well to bear in mind that the top teams of this era would demolish any team from the past or any team playing old school hurling.