Plain of the Herbs wrote:Random thoughts -
That win was hugely significant. It keeps Offaly in the top five in Leinster. Moreso in the event the proposed ‘round robin’ in both Munster and Leinster gets adapted in time for 2018’s championship season. Offaly don’t want to find themselves outside that group. And provision for the four teams below that top five hasn’t been given any consideration at all yet. Will the winner qualify for the ‘super ten’? Or will the ‘second level’ teams compete for MacCarthy at all? No one has thought of that. I have the same query re the 2018 hurling championship, why just 5 teams in Leinster?
Again, Offaly came to play a league match on championship day. This time, they got away with it. But in that first half, Offaly played at league pace, allowed the opposition to dictate play and allowed them to dominate possession. Offaly half-back line played too far up the field and Westmeathwere able to find space on an exceptionally tight pitch. Shouldn’t happen. Only Westmeath dropping several balls into James Dempsey, and hitting wides from scoreable positions (unforgivable, given they were on their own home ground) allowed Offaly still be in touching distance at the change of ends. But beaten in the air, beaten in the scrums. On the odd occasion did make a run, it was at the wrong angle, didn’t have a support runner coming at the correct angle and the chance was lost. Offaly’s first half was such a disappointment.
Paddy Murphy’s influence on the game was crucial. That, and the breeze, which meant Paddy Maloney’s puckout couldn’t reach beyond half way. Joseph Bergin had a massive influence on the game’s key moments – I didn’t realise his role in the third and fourth goals until I saw them on TV last night. Stephen Quirke added a bit too, as did Liam Langton. Expect three changes to the front eight the next day.
Ben Conneely showed shades of Rory Hanniffy with his poise. Good in the air, comfortable in possession, confident. Dermot Shortt had arguably his best game in a tricoloured jersey to date. Seán Ryan – again – competed ferociously. Seems to hurl well in Mullingar.
While Oisín Kelly is a goal threat, his ability to ‘drive’ at a defence from a deeper position makes him a more likely candidate for right half-forward. Emmet Nolan probably has more to offer from an outfield position too. That being the case, a full-forward line of Quirke, Dooley and Bergin has potential. And forwards are going to alternate several times in the course of a game anyway.
On Shane, I didn't see much wrong with his work rate while he was operating at centre half-forward. Tracked back well. His opportunism for the winning goal was superb. He made up alot of ground on the goalkeeper too, who I don't think saw him. Maloney ignored an option to slip a pass too.
Great to see Offaly showing the heart, determination and courage to pull a game out of the fire like that. Something that they an Offaly team hasn't done since, oh, 2010 against Galway in Croke Park? Only Dempsey, Dooley and Bergin survive now. In such situations, chaps have to become leaders. And they did.
Seán Cleere handled he game well. His umpires didn’t. That Westmeath ‘point’ looked with from the terrace. Minutes later, an Offaly point looked wide. And it’s never a good sign when an umpire has to move over to ‘cover’ for his colleague, as happened about eight times in the second half at the end Offaly were attacking.
Programmes - why do Mullingar only sell programmes outside the stiles, only sending one seller around the terrace shortly before throw-in as an afterthought? That happened last year too, and I am told the same thing happened for their two home round robin games. How many more programmes would they sell if they sold them where people expect to be able to buy them - inside the gate?
No harm at all that Galway coasted their quarter-final. The lat st thing Offaly wanted was Galway to get a fright from Dublin, resulting in them being 'wired' the next day.
Atonement.
greenairfield wrote:LS Shane Dooley would not walk on to any team in the country..are you gone mad all together?
Plain of the Herbs wrote:Random thoughts -
That win was hugely significant. It keeps Offaly in the top five in Leinster. Moreso in the event the proposed ‘round robin’ in both Munster and Leinster gets adapted in time for 2018’s championship season. Offaly don’t want to find themselves outside that group. And provision for the four teams below that top five hasn’t been given any consideration at all yet. Will the winner qualify for the ‘super ten’? Or will the ‘second level’ teams compete for MacCarthy at all? No one has thought of that.
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