Tmacmahon wrote: ↑Sun Sep 11, 2022 6:33 pm Tullamore will be favourites for the final but I think Rhode have more than a pinchers chance. Sullivan fitness will maybe tip the chances from being really good to maybe if things went really well.
Both teams were pedestrian in their play and this appears to be a pattern over the last few weeks. Ferbane and Rhode was very similar yesterday evening as was edenderry and shamrocks in quarters.
The modern game is , being patient holding the ball on the outskirts of a 12 man defensive unit. Going wide stretching the defending team from one side then over to another, waiting for the chance to penetrate or for a looped run from a ‘shooter’ to take a shot at goal. This is fine and all the teams that are at this are correct to do it as it’s effective to a point.
I would argue there is room for players and coaches to be a little more innovative when trying to break this down. That is a different story for a different day.
From a spectator point of view it has definitely become a slow game that is hard to watch at times. No crowd engrossed in the game and supporters silence throughout the games this weekend was very noticeable.
I am not one of these who want to kick a ball in 50/50 and I really enjoy the modern game. When it’s done well it is really good, fast counter attacks coupled with crafty forwards makes for some entertaining games. Ferbane and Clara was a good game albeit naive. The problem then is teams will be pragmatic and play a risk free game,and from their viewpoint rightly so But it can be hard to stomach from the general ordinary punters eyes.
Tullamore were the better side today and were comfortable throughout. Hogan , Brazil , Maloney the plunketts and the few Egan’s are really good players and they are well set up, keeping width and play one touch. Today Tullamore turned over a mountain of possession but will learn from that. They were sloppy because the game slowed it.
Liam kearns has now seen a lot of players over the last month and I’m hoping he can extract as much as he can out of our best players. The below team is not who I think should be near county panel just a bit of fun based on club championship. Team of the senior club championship so far ( final can change all of this I know )
GK Ken Garry
2 Kevin nugent
3 Declan hogan
4 Lee Pearson
5 Leon fox
6 John Maloney
7 David nally
8. Jordan hayes
9 Michael Brazil
10 joe Maher / anton Sullivan
11 ruari Mcnamee
12 Diarmuid Egan
13 Harry plunkett
14 Nigel Dunne
15 Niall Mcnamee
Team of the year.
GK Ken Garry- kick outs excellent in the final especially the last one which lead to Niall’s mark and winning score. Assured throughout the championship. A vital cog in the never ending Rhode machine. Poty candidate.
2 Kevin nugent - defended well and supported the attack when needed. Played at midfield , half back and full back line.
3 Declan hogan - outstanding again this year , in his prime and now in his 30s has had his 3 best years for club and county. Held Niall scoreless from play again in a county final. Poty candidate.
4 Lee Pearson- won most of his battles this year. Has pace to burn and is aggressive in the tackle. Can score when the opportunity arises as well.
5 Leon fox- a driving force for Ferbane. The man to drive them forward. A brilliant transition player and a great athlete who’s football has improved.
6 John Maloney - outstanding again this year. The man who took the fight to Rhode all day in the county final.
7 David nally - this man has the heart of a lion constantly wanting the ball and constantly a threat. Balanced and direct . A brilliant year from David nally.
8. Jordan hayes - edenderrys best player and Offalys beat option in the middle of the park. Always willing and tremendous work rate.
9 Michael Brazil- strong and robust, offers so much to Tullamore.
10 anton Sullivan - a match winner in ye county final. Clever movement and option taking improved. Again in his 30s but appears like hogan to be going right well.
11 ruari Mcnamee- top scorer from play in the championship. A certain choice. A playmaker and scorer and a player who I now see his value.
12 Harry Plunkett- a breakout year for the young Tullamore man. Great shooting ability.a big future ahead
13 Aaron Kellaghan- gets in because on reflection Rhode would not have won the championship without him. His semi final performance was the performance of the year by any player and had big moments in the final.
14 Nigel Dunne - second top scorer in the championship. Scored freely from play and from frees. Has unique balance off both feet.
15 Niall Mcnamee- the best footballer in Offaly still. Top scorer in Offaly again. And could be poty again. Held scoreless in the county final but won the match winning mark for his team. Still the man.
Rhode- 5
Tullamore-4
Ferbane -3
Edenderry-2
Shamrocks- 1
Ken Garry POty - penalty saves in shootout. Kick outs tremendous under pressure.
YPOTY - Harry plunkett- progressing at a nice rate
Individual performance- Aaron kellaghan v Ferbane. And he only came on in that game. Super sun indeed.
Goal of the year - ruari Mcnamee, supers catch, then delivery and ruari composure to round the keeper. A massive moment in the 2022 final.
Game of year - Ferbane v Clara.
Old is but godlies- Alan Mcnamee , Niall Mcnamee, Nigel Dunne , anton Sullivan, John Maloney, Declan hogan. All in their 30s and super his 40s had brilliant seasons.
Relegation- Cappincur finally tan out of Rhode but they went down fighting. A brilliant example of a club who get every inch out of themselves. A credit to themselves and will be missed next year
Record breaker- the great all super Mcnamee won his 13th championship, Rhode their 31st. Alan won his first in 98 and was outstanding at MIDFIELD 24 years later winning his 13th. An incredible servant and an incredible achievement