Offaly Senior Footballers 2025

[Fear Uibh]

Looking forward to Navan on Sunday, i think we have a really good chance, bookies i'm told ( by fellow workmates) are offering 11/4 on us, is this true ? you would think they'd have learnt their lesson after the league final. i see on Meath forum their expecting a 4-6 point win for the royals.

[faithfulfanatic]

Looking forward to Navan on Sunday, i think we have a really good chance, bookies i'm told ( by fellow workmates) are offering 11/4 on us, is this true ? you would think they'd have learnt their lesson after the league final. i see on Meath forum their expecting a 4-6 point win for the royals.

Pros for Meath:
Meath finished 3rd in division 2, a point off of promotion.
Home game for Meath in Navan.
Have a championship game under their belt.
Have been warned after we shocked them 2 years ago.

Pros for Offaly:
Rejuvenated under Mickey Harte.
2 of Meath’s coaches walked away in the last fortnight.
Faster ground should suit Offaly.

All in all, I think the bookies have it fairly right.
That hasn’t stopped me putting a tenner on our lads.
We are told constantly by the media that the Leinster championship is dead.
It definitely doesn’t help it when this big game between 2 evenly matches teams isn’t available to watch anywhere, only in person.

[aigne]

A shame indeed game is not on television, or even available to stream, for those of us who can't be there in person on Sunday.

[JimBwobb]

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[Bord na Mona man]

Both teams have strong evidence that they've improved from two years ago.
However Meath have an extra advantage of being in Division 2 all that time and being exposed to a higher standard.

The 2 selectors quitting is a sign of unrest in the Meath camp. If the players are unhappy with Brennan, they'll put him under the bus with bad displays at some stage. However, that will happen later in the year when they're being pulled asunder by Sam Maguire contenders. They'll try their best against Offaly, I'd suspect.

[greenairfield]

Lads excuse my ignorance but would Ruari not be a nailed on starter ? He is back fit a few weeks now I thought he would be one of first names on team sheet.

[Faithfully]

Lads excuse my ignorance but would Ruari not be a nailed on starter ? He is back fit a few weeks now I thought he would be one of first names on team sheet.

No. Great to have him back for much needed depth and he will definitely feature. But looking at the half forward line:
Flynn - excellent season, quick tempo, perfect for our style of play.
Higgins - much needed 3rd big man around the middle for kickouts.
O'Neill - one of our very best footballers, can't be dropped when on form.

[Doon Exile]

Lads excuse my ignorance but would Ruari not be a nailed on starter ? He is back fit a few weeks now I thought he would be one of first names on team sheet.

No. Great to have him back for much needed depth and he will definitely feature. But looking at the half forward line:
Flynn - excellent season, quick tempo, perfect for our style of play.
Higgins - much needed 3rd big man around the middle for kickouts.
O'Neill - one of our very best footballers, can't be dropped when on form.

I’d rate Ruairi very highly but I couldn’t disagree with any of the above. Flynn has been exceptional and just seems to be getting better and better.

But a great option to have on the bench. Good to see Cillian Bourke there too.

[Wingbackassassin]

Lads excuse my ignorance but would Ruari not be a nailed on starter ? He is back fit a few weeks now I thought he would be one of first names on team sheet.

I doubt the team named actually starts. Theres a good chance that Ruairi McNamee and/or Davey Dempsey start

[Anonymous1]

Lads excuse my ignorance but would Ruari not be a nailed on starter ? He is back fit a few weeks now I thought he would be one of first names on team sheet.

I doubt the team named actually starts. Theres a good chance that Ruairi McNamee and/or Davey Dempsey start

I think the named team will start unless there’s been an injury.

Dempsey is just back after a long lay off, he won’t be thrown straight into championship action.

And as was said above, Ruairi is a very good player but there’s just no spot for him at the minute.

[Bord na Mona man]

The balance of the forward line needs to be right. You could select a unit that's very effective running and shooting, but then leave yourself badly served on kick outs.
The Meath keeper will likely hit 20+ kickouts that need to travel. There's a good chance Cillian Bourke will be the first man subbed on if Offaly aren't winning enough of them.

[classof81]

Best of luck to the lads tomorrow. Playing great football. I think the weather will suit our style of play. Meath are definitely there for the taken. Would be great ti get another shot at Dublin just to see where we are at.

[Doon Exile]

Lads excuse my ignorance but would Ruari not be a nailed on starter ? He is back fit a few weeks now I thought he would be one of first names on team sheet.

I doubt the team named actually starts. Theres a good chance that Ruairi McNamee and/or Davey Dempsey start

I think the named team will start unless there’s been an injury.

Dempsey is just back after a long lay off, he won’t be thrown straight into championship action.

And as was said above, Ruairi is a very good player but there’s just no spot for him at the minute.

Yep agree. I’d be surprised if any changes to that team unless injuries force otherwise. It’s our best team at the moment. Bourke and Dempsey need a bit of game time to get back to starting 15 imo

[faithfulfanatic]

Fantastic first half from our lads, albeit with a strong breeze.

I feel our style of play will also be suited to playing against the breeze, running hard at the Meath defence.

However, Meath are very dangerous from long range and well adept at kicking 2 pointers, can’t give away any frees from 55 yards in.

Stronger bench today than any other day so let’s hope we can see it out.

[Superhans75]

On my way home due to work left 15 mins early
All I can say we. Had so many chances to score in the the first half overlapping players except. We thought we were better

Hopefully a lesson learned but two of that team are not inter county standard
I will not mention names it's unfair
Enjoy your week 4 weeks to the taliteann cup
Onwards and upwards