Offaly Minor Hurling 2024

[The big hill]

Banagher College lads couldnt play on this team meaning a big chunk of players were missing. Westmeath schools had a full team

[Hasselhoff]

What lads from banagher were missing?

Why is the standard so poor?

What can we do to replicate the under 20 we have at the moment or was it pure luck that team came together.

[Faithfully]

To be honest, there is no such thing as replicating that team that are the best in the country at their age group. By dint of numbers, we won't be able to achieve those heights the vast majority of the time.

Beating Laois, Westmeath, Antrim etc and being competitive with the next tier of Dublin, Kilkenny, Wexford is what we need to target at underage.

The last 2 years at minor have done that, in fairness, despite not being anywhere near the level of the 2022 side. I suspect next year will be similar.

We have a decent crop of U15s, that's not to say that they are on the same level of the 2022 group, but they can certainly be highly competitive in Leinster in 2026.

[faithfulfanatic]

What lads from banagher were missing?

Why is the standard so poor?

What can we do to replicate the under 20 we have at the moment or was it pure luck that team came together.

Molloy and Scully from Rynaghs, perhaps some other Belmont, Lusmagh or Drumcullen lads. Plenty Lorrha, Kiltormer and Meelick-Eyrecourt players that would have been good enough to make the combined schools teams over the last few years but seems to have been decided by those in charge that just Offaly players would play. Cistercian and St Brendans would probably have a couple from outside Offaly good enough aswell.

Probably some Shinrone and Skenach lads that go to Colaiste Phobal Roscrea that can’t play. Other than that, most clubs would have full representation available.

[The big hill]

The last post I made was a bit conservative but from a critical standpoint when have Offaly last lost to Westmeath in underage and I thought the starting team wasnt great the goalkeeper doesnt play in goals and the lads on the bench looked better than the starting team

[faithfulfanatic]

Offaly come from behind with a goal last puck of the game to beat Meath in first round of the Leinster minor championship.

Have Antrim, Westmeath and Wicklow to come in the tier 2 group.

[JimBwobb]

Good to get the win but I would have to say the better team lost.

Had a third goal ruled out during their purple patch in the second half which I assume was for steps?

No one really stood out for Offaly bar Odhran Fletcher at times.

[Faithfully]

Certainly not outrageous to say the best team lost, although I think our lads were arguably worthy enough of winning what was a very scrappy affair.

Was pretty worrying when we were not further ahead at half time, given the breeze we were playing with. We seemed completely out of it between HT and about the 50th minute. Thankfully, Meath capitulated towards the end and were incapable of winning a puck out or of finding a solid out ball in the closing minutes.

We kept plugging away which was encouraging. A word of mention for young Fletcher, think he is a stylish hurler. Made something out of nothing in the closing stages which almost resulted in a goal, had the bounce on the rebound been kinder. Admittedly, the winning goal was possibly a little fortunate.

Anyways, congratulations to team and management on their victory. Hopefully tier 2 offers this group a chance to steadily improve. It's not always glamorous with big days out and All Ireland finals at underage hurling. Something that may have been easily forgotten in the last few years. Good to see recent Offaly hurlers involved.

[Glendassaun]

We got out of jail. But in saying that, for the majority of the first half we looked a much better side, however we squandered two clear cut goal chances and missed 4/5 points which would have left us in a relatively comfortable position at half time.

Failure to capitalise on errors at this stage can give a lift to the opposition and Meath certainly made the most of the scraps they had in the first half. What was most worrying, and an area to focus on, was our lack of ball winning around the middle third for much of the second half.

Meath made the most of the momentum and only for a late salvo from Offaly, would certainly have held on for the win. Replicating the success of the 2022 crop and the quality of teams between those aged 18-25 is always going to be difficult, and as previous posters have said, it’s about developing a couple of additional players each year.

Fletcher is a good an inside forward as any of the U-20’s playing at present, which is something not to be said lightly. Some key personal who we’ll see on this years U-20 side will have graduated from last years minors. A large cohort of last years U-15’s are making up the team this year, but need time to develop.

One area I am concerned about is the playing of certain players out of position, or in positions where judging by the flow of the game, they cannot have as big of an impact as they otherwise should. I’m also perplexed by the omission of Liam Mulhare (I’m not from Rynaghs), who to my understanding is an excellent prospect who needs exposure this year to truly blossom next year.

Hopefully some lessons will have been learned today, some confidence can be grown from the victory itself, and tactically we can get our best players in their best positions against Antrim and for the remaining rounds. Congratulations on the win, which was achieved against the odds in the second half. Onwards and upwards.

[greenairfield]

Good win considering where they were in the second half. I think if they can top the group and put up a good showing against a wexford or Dublin it will be a good year for this team.

[Plain of the Herbs]

I wasn’t there, but a few general points.

That Offaly were in a position to ‘nick’ the win in the manner they did demonstrates character and spirit. So well done to everyone involved.

Always pressure in a first round. First round nerves and all that. The involvement of Coláiste Phobal Roscré in the All-Ireland final will have hindered preparation too. But that’s behind them now. Remember Offaly beat Meath by a similar margin in 2024’s first round.

Saturday was such a horrible day for hurling. But Offaly will improve now as the weather improves and the ground gets firmer. No harm to have a fortnight before the next match. Antrim will bring its own challenges, but Offaly will improve.

[oneshot]

great win that all that counts showed great guts to keep going and get the win there's also great work going into meath underage hurling with lads from a number of clubs on the meath panel some from strong football club's .

[classof81]

Well done to our hurlers today. Played very well

[Hurleyman36]

Another good win, it was tricky going up there with tough windy conditions. It will give them good confidence going into next few games

[Wing Back]

Good win for the minors. 2 from 2 now. A nice momentum builder today.

Well done to players and management. Keep up the good work.