Offaly U20 footballers 2023

[Superhans75]

Actually we never have any big lads in our teams
Must need some fresh DNA.
Clare had some huge fellas when they played against us
In the first game..
Lads mature quicker nowadays so not too many growing taller past 18/19 .

[Doon Exile]

i was it, the team that was out last night you could see are really built for what's ahead in a couple of months time ,when the ground is drier and moving quicker ball into the forwards, general support play was good, when they got into a rythem there was at most times plenty of options, like the senior team we don't have too many big lads on the team, but at this level one would think you can get away with that.

To be fair John Furlong made a huge difference when he came on at half time. It was only 7-6 at half time and furlong seemed to really drive them on. The goals came in quick succession and a missed Tipp penalty followed by a quick goal by Offaly meant game over then.

A few stand out performances and overall we were pretty good. Harry Plunkett was very good from frees too. Whilst Cormac Egan didn’t trouble the scoreboard much, he put in a serious shift with tackling and tracking back - he looks in terrific shape and obviously has a lot of S&C done. He will only get better. Marcus Dalton and Keith O’Neill to come back in too (not sure who else).

[Anonymous1]

We got out of jail tonight, 6 points down with 5 minutes to go and we managed to score two late goals, we’ll take it because we didn’t deserve a draw.

Only scored one point from play and it was in the 57th minute. With the wind in the first half, we scored two points, both from frees. Hard to see this team going too far this year, just don’t have the quality forwards we had in previous years.

[Bord na Mona man]

Any sense that Offaly can push on and improve and maybe some of the injured players will be back to strengthen things?
Louth should have beaten Offaly last year as well, except Offaly rattled them for some killer goals.

[Doon Exile]

Wasn’t at the game tonight so can’t comment.

Can anyone advise of who the injuries are. Cormac Egan is one and no idea what’s the story there as he was flying a few weeks ago. Not even on the panel this evening. Marcus Dalton - no info on him. Keith O’Neill- was told at the game on Sunday that he is out for the year.

[Behindthegoal]

Cormac egan broke his finger in a challenge game recently? Marcus Dalton out for 6 months with a really bad hamstring tear
Keith O’Neill has never got hip right since a year back still out
Injuries really are a complete disaster, almost every player from the 20s all-Ireland have gotten some type of long term injury.

[Superhans75]

we Got out of jail last night but weather and conditions awful.
Not too sure about the performance as we were very average at best .
I think we should concentrate on the Wicklow game
Dublin will be a different kettle of fish .
Mind you Leinster gaa should look into some of these grounds being used because there not fit for purpose.
At this level ..
I'm off to get myself dry still soaking wet lol

[ah lethimoutwithit]

There were few places fit for purpose for the game last night, and unfortunately sitting on top of a hill was prime location for galeforce winds! But all I encountered were friendly folk doing their best to accomadate a game.

As for the game, pure robbery. Fair play to the lads for keeping at it, at 9-3 it was over. We struggled in every sense, physically, tactically and despite the injuries the team was not set up right with a couple of strange selections.
We finished with a stronger team and maybe that was the managements choice to have something in reserve to come on.

But lets face it, overall its unfair to throw stones at the management, injuries are a disaster, 3 forwards from last year missing, (huge), Tom Hyland impacted with injury since last year, and John Furlong only getting his fitness back. David Dempsey played 2 years minor and hasn't kicked a ball in anger since last summer. Tell me any Offaly team that could handle that? Alex Egan did well when he came on but he has beeen in and out of form and with injury also.

Louth were decent and had a big number of players from last year, we struggled over them in 2020 with a narrow win and last year also was a very tight game.
Wicklow with a late goal kept Dublin honest last night, Laois beat Carlow and were lucky to do so, with Westmeath beating Kildare by 6 points.
Yet, last night will have felt like a win, and 2 home games to come. There has to be an improvement in performance from last night and in approach to the game. They have potential to improve and they will have learned a lot from last night as was a huge step up for many of the in their first championship start.

[Superhans75]

I'm not calling the effort of Strabbon Gaa .
They we're excellent.
It's like playing hurling on knockshe!
As they use to say in shinrone ..
Hopefully the minors put a good show on Saturday against Dublin .
Will be cheering them on

[greenairfield]

Does anyone know how they are shaping up?
I heard they got a few right trimmings earlier in the year and wouldn't be the strongest group of players we have had at this age group

[jimbob17]

As good a group as we have had in long time incl u20s in 2020. At full strength we would be very strong but unfortunately it's not the case and won't be. Could have won minor in 2020 and were as good as Meath, losing by point in leinster final to Meath team that won All Ireland. Beat Cork in challenge recently apparently. Injuries are having huge impact. Cormac Egan, Tom Hyland and Keith O Neill who all played on u20 2021 All Ireland team are all injured, are huge losses and might not play in remaining games. Marcas Dalton who started in 2022 would be a strong player and is also injured while John Furlong and Geordie O Meara who also would be key players are only just back from injury. Few more injured also who might even start, particularly Chris Kenny. Will struggle to beat Dublin without the lads but could beat Wicklow to get out of the group. After that, would depend on draw. At full strength the group would be strong enough to win Leinster but won't be case this year unfortunately I'd imagine.

[greenairfield]

Very good I was referencing the comment before about minor hurlers on this thread.
Where did hyland play in the u20 all Ireland final?

[Doon Exile]

Very good I was referencing the comment before about minor hurlers on this thread.
Where did hyland play in the u20 all Ireland final?

Full back

[Bord na Mona man]

Edged out by a very late Wicklow point. Offaly were ahead by 4 points early in the first half, Wicklow hit back with 2-4 on the trot to lead at half time by 2-6 to 1-3. Offaly staged a good second half comeback to draw level in injury time.

[Fairplayalways]

In trouble now in this group, Dublin to come next..