Lone Shark wrote:Ladbrokes have stepped into the breach now with SFC odds as well. Odds against about Rhode and a few bigger prices that might be worth keeping an eye on for those so inclined.
Rhode 11/10
Clara 15/8
Tullamore 10/1
Shamrocks 12/1
Ferbane 16/1
Gracefield 16/1
Walsh Island 16/1
Erin Rovers 20/1
Tubber 20/1
Ballycumber 33/1
Edenderry 33/1
St Brigids 40/1
A fool and his money is easily parted so for that reason alone its safe to say Ladbrokes are giving nothing away...
A new format, A new contender but will it be a new dawn for Offaly football?
As the odds suggest...
The worrying aspect for a County supporter must surely be Tullamore´s tag as third favourite. 2007 never seemed as far away. The elephant in the room heavily hints that the blues resources will be stretched to breaking point, in both codes across all teams, mediocrity surely beckons?
To champion Walsh Island anymore must almost seem like idolatry, considering other Intermediate winners fate, but I doubt i´m alone in the position. The boys that were pushed aside years ago will look to turn the tables on the establishment. The Shamrocks of 10 years ago? Or the ´Bridge of 20? Spot a pattern? If the attitude remains, so will the results.
To discuss the championship without another mention of Rahan would be controversial but not exactly essential. Time waits for no man. Maybe its geography but without unity, no team goes far. A championship too requires grit, ignorance, ruthlessness and above all belief. Manager upheavels, expanding waistlines and heavy legs don´t necessarily mean everything but a true ball winner does. It´s fantasy but Dave Kavanagh, Dinny Kelly or Padraig Dunne would be the difference.
If Neville Coughlan is worried about ever meeting a certain Mr. Dowling then Karl Slattery will surely know the feeling. Hope springs eternal but who here likes the vibes? A championship can never be won in April or May but it can be lost. Haphazard in preparation, Gracefield´s personnel are forever evolving but the end product will remain.
If tradition alone won a championship then Ferbane would have added to their stylish dozen by now. In a group of quality though, 2010 won´t be the year. Ferbane´s peerage include WI, G and B/C but on what basis?. Scoring forwards were ten a penny many moons ago but can someone show me one now?
Though in the weaker group, and still not in the descent, Ballycumber can justifiably wonder at their exclusion from the top table. 33/1 is value in any mans eyes. Size and skill are in abundance but a championship cannot be won with one cultured left foot, even if its as sweet as ever.
Favourites is a tag worn well by Rhode for the best part of a decade and rightly so. In a County where most Senior teams average 60-70 trainings annually, the green and gold are routinely breaking the Century. It´s a tad unfair!. The best panel, player, forwards, style, underage and defence but still in pursuit of invincibility.
The last contender is obviously the worthy champions. The link between Pat Flanagan though and success is impossible to ignore. With the players sated by victory and its architect distracted, can the hawks put together back to back titles? Early signs are promising and with the seeds of underage success blossoming it seems a distinct possibility.
Though our championship lacks the makeweights of yesteryear, it´s demeaning in itself, let alone to the ignored, to celebrate teams who simply havent the tools to carve out a glorious year.
It´s a straight shootout so. Anyone else expecting a big dog to fall?
The world is a stage, but the play is badly cast.
