U20 footballers 2024

[joey1001]

Very disappointing result and performance last night . Realistically and with no offence to the players this has to be the weakest playing group we have had at u 20 level in some time . Particularly in the forward division. They worked their socks but unfortunately the talent just wasn’t there . The mgt team will take the blame for the style off football we played and it was very defensive but I really do believe their hands were tied . Ken Furlong wouldn’t be known as a conservative manager he has won a lot of underage championships and u 20 championships with Tullamore recently racking big scores in these games . There is a few players on the U 20 hurling that would have made a big difference but unfortunately the dual player is no more
I think we are in for a few lean yrs at u 20 football looking at the talent around at the moment .
A previous poster has singled out one player by naming him I don’t think that's fair on the young man. He has gone thru a lot to be even playing with various knee injuries he sustained the last few yrs .

Agreed singling out a player is unfair and he's a fine footballer. I think it's harsh and unfair to tell this bunch that their the poorest we've had and are not talented considering they beat they reigning all Ireland champs at this grade last week, bit of an over reaction. The expectation set by an exceptional bunch of players a few years ago is really making it difficult for teams following and the supporters I think are part of it with unrealistic expectations. Would never read too much into U-20, it's difficult for players of that age, it's a time of big change more so than nearly any other time in life. Onwards to Saturday and hopefully more positive results.

[ah lethimoutwithit]

Bang out of order to call out the player.
Doon Exile is spot on,
FFS lads, we were in this back door competition that none of us knew about before a ball was kicked and we knew we had to kick on last night, particularly when the management saw the score at half time.
Our best footballer was in goals, and what I suggested was at half time stick David Dunican in goals who has played in goals for the last 2 years for U20 so no risk with him. Plus with our forwards playing in the backs mostly we were as well off replacing them with backs who could tackle. Also with forwards not scoring a couple of our backs who have kicked scores might offer more at that point.
Ridiculous dragging this on through another competition after getting 3 championship games. The brains in that is unbelievable. Especially when they disbanded the league for the U20s.

Anyway, as I said, not exactly a queue of coaches looking for the hassle involved in these gigs for little reward and manage a day job as well. It's an area of concern.

[joey1001]

Don’t reporters single out players all the time. Questions have to be asked. They aren’t u12.

No they don't single out players at this level for slating and criticism. And no they're not u-12, maybe you are? The players that took the pitch last night owe you nothing. And to tell u-20 players to hang their heads after a game is disgraceful

[The big hill]

Performances nowhere near good enough. Can someone explain Sean Afolabi Josephs role in the team for me please? Lots of running about without actually doing anything. In the 3 championship games did he touch the ball 6 times in total? If he was turning over ball maybe that would be some kind of explanation as to why he played every game, but he wasn't. There was a lot of talent there this year as there was last year but for some reason they seemed to be held back. Extremely frustrating to watch. Hope they go out next week against Carlow and take the shackles off a little. Talk is that there isn't much interest from the players... not sure if it's to do with the style of football or because of exams etc but would be nice to finish out the year with some positive play in this competition.

His role was a corner forward. He scored a goal in the first game probably the fastest player on the team with a bright future ahead of him.

[The big hill]

On another note give Melia a run outfield for championship ive always likes him he was nippy and crafty in minor and now hes gotten size to build on that

[jk1022]

Jaysus is there no one been to any games with this group.

Was at most of them. The writing was on the wall after the last 2 challenge matches before the championship opener. They didn't score in the second half against Roscommon and scored 1 point against Cork in the first half.

[Superhans75]

A trip to bagnallstown on Tuesday night it is
I wonder how many players will stay .
With the squad considering the latter phases
Of the competition are on at the same time as the talteaann cup .same dates .

[jk1022]

So the u20s aren’t allowed to train before the Carlow game. Why enter the competition and not allow them to train. Bit harsh on the group of lads after the effort they’ve put in since October.

[private joker]

Not allowed? By who?

[jk1022]

The county board. Told to train with their clubs. No get together since the Longford game.

[private joker]

Basically they view the year as finished for this group. Which it is.

[jk1022]

So if the seniors lose in 2 weeks is the season finished? Will they not bother training for the Tailteann cup?

[private joker]

Not from the county boards perspective in regards to the seniors as its the only realistic competition offaly can win after the national league. U20 b competition is not going to be taken any way seriously, especially if those players are in college with exams etc coming up.

[jk1022]

Not from the county boards perspective in regards to the seniors as its the only realistic competition offaly can win after the national league. U20 b competition is not going to be taken any way seriously, especially if those players are in college with exams etc coming up.

Can understand in some ways the logic, but an hour over the weeknd to prepare the team isn't much of an ask. Everyone giving out about teams not taking the B championship seriously. If they enter it then at least prepare for it.

[joey1001]

Not from the county boards perspective in regards to the seniors as its the only realistic competition offaly can win after the national league. U20 b competition is not going to be taken any way seriously, especially if those players are in college with exams etc coming up.

Can understand in some ways the logic, but an hour over the weeknd to prepare the team isn't much of an ask. Everyone giving out about teams not taking the B championship seriously. If they enter it then at least prepare for it.

I think it reduces the demand in these players, it also allows the clubs to have them back for training and league which will help the clubs and improve the standard in training and championship particularly for small clubs.