Couple of points to this - it's not about Brian Connor carrying the Island as much as it is that he's a good fielder with a great engine, and while he's a long way from being a top intercounty midfielder yet - though I do think he has the tools to become one of the best if he continues to work hard - there simply is no-one in Offaly to mark him. In the group stages this year, he'll probably be marking Alan McNamee, Declan Kelly, Conor Connelly, Ciarán Mac and Richie Dalton. There are a lot of good players in there and as an overall player I'd certainly take McManus as the pick of the bunch (with Declan Kelly second incidentally!), but every one of those guys will struggle to deal with Connor as a primary ball winner.Frank Mcguigan wrote: I think Lone Sharks point that Brian Connor is one of very few men in offaly who can get up and field clean ball but I think it is a bit much to ask of a 20 year old to drag a senior club to senior success all on his own. It may be argued that he has talented players like his two brothers Ross and Rory along with Comerford and willie Mullhal around him but honestly how many of these would make the Rhode team.
Secondly, I've never been a fan of this logic of amalgamating two teams and whichever one has nine or more of the better individuals wins. Of course Rhode are a better team than Walsh Island and no-one would disagree with that, but the tone of the thread was would you pick Walsh Island or Tullamore - and in that I'd say all of those lads you named plus a few more besides would get into a blue jersey.
