A chance for atonement - Westmeath v Offaly, Leinster SHC

[Plain of the Herbs]

So the round robin phase has concluded and the draw has ordained Offaly will travel to Mullingar in two weeks with a chance to atone for last year’s debacle.

Remember the day? Offaly a beaten docket probably even before half time, it finished 2-22 to 1-11. Outran, outhurled, outfought, outthought by the home side. A horrendous day.

Yet, Westmeath look on this as a favourable draw. Some Westmeath logic - It is a chance for them to emerge from the round robin for (at least) a year, they can put Offaly back into it, and they can advance to a Leinster semi-final. And even if Westmeath have regressed since that Mullingar May day massacre and Offaly have progressed since, the gap can hardly have closed by 14 points, can it? And Westmeath haven’t lost to Offaly since 1971. As I type, I see Kevin Egan tweet the fact the Westmeath PRO announced “we certainly won’t mind that”. Do ye hear that, Offaly?

For Offaly, 56 weeks after sending ‘Mayday’ distress signals from Mullingar, it is an early chance for atonement. Offaly will be the bookmakers’ favourites, but psychologically Westmeath are the hunted and Offaly are the hunters here. A big Offaly performance is needed to bridge a 14 point deficit. Time to show the Offaly pride that was absent last year. Let the buildup begin.

[shannonbanks14]

Yeh your right Plain Westmeath have regressed and were very average in the league, as well as strugglin to beat Meath today and having lost at home to Kerry. Very favourable draw for Offaly and probably our only potential winnable game in the championship.

[sam88885a]

Lads i agree its a chance for Offaly to restore pride but Westmeath have championship games behind them, where we are coming in cold .
There seems to be a decent spirit in the Offaly camp this year whereas last year guys were leaving .
We should have a few lads back from injury .Both teams will fancy their chances .

[private joker]

Big game for both teams. More than likely the only game realistically that either team will win this year.
Interesting that laois seem to be going really well with Kelly. Seems to have got a response from those players.

[manfromdelmonte]

Westmeath are progressing/building all year
3rd year syndrome for the manager Michael Ryan
lost to Carlow first day out in the league but won every game after that

the discipline seems to be a big issue in every game and I don't think they have replaced Murtagh at FF or CHF.

[ditchhurler]

Did they not lose to Kildare in the league too?

[Lone Shark]

Did they not lose to Kildare in the league too?

Don't underestimate Kildare this year - they brought in the two Reidys from Limerick and John Mulhall from Kilkenny, all of whom were missing for the game against Carlow in the Christy Ring cup due to club commitments when they were eliminated.

Westmeath aren't in the form that they were last year, they were no better than Meath yesterday in 90% of general play and only won because they had a far greater goal threat - but let's not pretend that Offaly are miles ahead of the Round Robin standard. Plus we know there's a lot more in Westmeath - Aonghus Clarke is leading them well, Alan Devine is nailing his frees, and Tommy Doyle is as good a full back as there is in Leinster in my opinion.

[SearingDrive]

Did they not lose to Kildare in the league too?

Don't underestimate Kildare this year - they brought in the two Reidys from Limerick and John Mulhall from Kilkenny, all of whom were missing for the game against Carlow in the Christy Ring cup due to club commitments when they were eliminated.

Westmeath aren't in the form that they were last year, they were no better than Meath yesterday in 90% of general play and only won because they had a far greater goal threat - but let's not pretend that Offaly are miles ahead of the Round Robin standard. Plus we know there's a lot more in Westmeath - Aonghus Clarke is leading them well, Alan Devine is nailing his frees, and Tommy Doyle is as good a full back as there is in Leinster in my opinion.

It won't be simple for Offaly in Mullingar. Westmeath have 3 games under their belt, and will fancy their chances v Offaly.

Michael Ryan in today's Independent is playing down their chances, saying Offaly have a winning tradition, a long time ago!
I expect them to put in a big display at home, and Offaly will need to be on their game from the start.
One problem Westmeath have to overcome is discipline, they finished with 14 players yesterday. Last year Offaly lost to Westmeath in hurling and football. Not something we want to see again.

[Plain of the Herbs]

Worth pointing out Westmeath lined out without defensive leaders in goalkeeper Paddy Moloney (goalkeeper), Tommy Gallagher (left corner-back) and Paul Greville (centre half-back) in their opening two league matches which they lost to Carlow and Kildare. Gallagher didn't start until round 4 against London. Later, they beat Antrim up in Cushendall. A tight knit squad, I make it only 19 started the three recent round robin matches.

Of their attackers, Aonghus Clarke, Alan Devine and Niall Mitchell have started each of their eight competitive games this year and Robbie Greville missed just one. Killian Doyle missed a good chunk of the league but has played in each of the round robin games. Derek McNicholas was in and out of the team, starting one day, left off and appearing as a sub the next. Aonghus Clarke and Gary Greville, who lined out at midfield yesterday, have started each of 2017's eight games though both spend some time in the half-back line. And for good measure, Conor Shaw, Killian Doyle and Niall Mitchell were on 2016's U21s.

Did they not lose to Kildare in the league too?

[manfromdelmonte]

I expect to see Niall O'Brien back in for them
a very good player when motoring

[Plain of the Herbs]

He is too.

Niall O'Brien is another who missed much of the league. He made his first appearance in the fifth round win over Antrim. Since then he's been in and out of the team, in when McNicholas is out and vice versa, so it makes sense that he would start with McNicholas likely to be suspended after his straight red against Meath.

I expect to see Niall O'Brien back in for them
a very good player when motoring

[Exiled in Connacht]

Game is on Saturday week, 27 May at 7pm, winners to play Galway or Dublin - http://leinstergaa.ie/competitions/lein ... ship-2017/

[SearingDrive]

Game is on Saturday week, 27 May at 7pm, winners to play Galway or Dublin - http://leinstergaa.ie/competitions/lein ... ship-2017/

Yom Kippur Day at weekend!

[Exiled in Connacht]

Game is on Saturday week, 27 May at 7pm, winners to play Galway or Dublin - http://leinstergaa.ie/competitions/lein ... ship-2017/

Yom Kippur Day at weekend!

Let's hope we don't witness an Offaly crucifixion

[SearingDrive]

Game is on Saturday week, 27 May at 7pm, winners to play Galway or Dublin - http://leinstergaa.ie/competitions/lein ... ship-2017/

Yom Kippur Day at weekend!

Let's hope we don't witness an Offaly crucifixion

And rise in 3 days? Think Yom Kippur is about prayer and fasting for a period, might need a lot of that.