Offaly Hurling 2026

[private joker]

Very good win, could have gone either way. Was very even right up to the 55th minute. In the end offaly could have by even more and could easily had two more goals. Might finish 3rd and kilkenny could be knocked out.

[PullHardPullOften]

I’ll start with the negatives and get them out of the way - over the 70 mins I don’t think we were the better team. Handling was poor which is fair enough in them conditions but some of the decision making was awful, ballooning it down to a spare man. The red card probably got us out of jail.

In saying that, you make your own luck and our lads certainly did that through hard work and perseverance. They very easily could’ve dropped the heads and taken a loss but they have an awful hunger for piggery which is the least any of us can ask.

They were a useless shower when losing and the best thing since sliced bread when winning according to the gobshite next to me - we need to come away from that, we have an extremely likeable group, they may not be a limerick, cork or Galway, or even a Kilkenny, but they work their bollox off for 70 mins every game and have earned our support winning or losing.

[Offaly Hero]

I’ll start with the negatives and get them out of the way - over the 70 mins I don’t think we were the better team. Handling was poor which is fair enough in them conditions but some of the decision making was awful, ballooning it down to a spare man. The red card probably got us out of jail.

In saying that, you make your own luck and our lads certainly did that through hard work and perseverance. They very easily could’ve dropped the heads and taken a loss but they have an awful hunger for piggery which is the least any of us can ask.

They were a useless shower when losing and the best thing since sliced bread when winning according to the gobshite next to me - we need to come away from that, we have an extremely likeable group, they may not be a limerick, cork or Galway, or even a Kilkenny, but they work their bollox off for 70 mins every game and have earned our support winning or losing.

I would disagree with this in that I felt we were the better team ability wise overall but our first 50 minute performance was very, very poor. We could have been much further behind only for all of Wexford's wides. I’d imagine the video review of that first 50-55 minutes will make for painful viewing. Albeit, to that point, it was a poor stop start hesitant game in greasy conditions.

After the sending off however, we opened up, the crowd opened up and the players showed more of their skill and potential.
Time will forget how the result was achieved, what matters is that it was achieved. A first win over Wexford since 2012, our first win this year, our first win over a top 10 team since god knows when, Leinster status secured and an outside shot at finishing third (if we win and Dublin beat Kilkenny).

Add to this that the game was at home - when was the last time the Offaly senior hurling team at scenes like that in Tullamore at full time? So overall, a great day and well may they enjoy it. But not too much because there is a big game to come next week!

[faithfulfanatic]

We were hurling against a massive wind in the first half, we did well to be within 4 or 5 points.

We started slow in the second half, which wasn’t helped by Wexford’s negative tactics and time wasting.

If ye think Offaly weren’t the better team over the course of the game, then I hope ye see things a bit better at yer second game of the year next weekend

[Anonymous1]

Brilliant win. Eoghan Cahill was absolutely outstanding.

However, the Dublin result has sapped some of the air from things.

Barring another Dublin win over KK, we'll be finishing our year against an already relegated Kildare and bowing out on 6 points.

[PullHardPullOften]

We were hurling against a massive wind in the first half, we did well to be within 4 or 5 points.

We started slow in the second half, which wasn’t helped by Wexford’s negative tactics and time wasting.

If ye think Offaly weren’t the better team over the course of the game, then I hope ye see things a bit better at yer second game of the year next weekend

Wexford were the better team for 50 mins. Wind or no wind. We had a much better 20 mins than they had 50 mins. Whether that would’ve been the case without the sending off I’m not sure but I do think if it was a day where both teams were humming, Offaly would be the better of the 2.

[Bord na Mona man]

Yes, Wexford mostly had it their way for 50 minutes. Offaly's end product was frequently poor - forwards spilling ball and butchering chances.
At the other end, Wexford got plenty of joy with runners and support play. Their first goal was text book of this - the corner back starting the attack from deep and not getting tracked before he arrived to finish the move, 60 metres upfield.

But, Offaly looked the better unit. Wexford played to their max, whereas Offaly had problems - which, if fixed in time, you knew would get the upper hand.

The penalty and black card was a big swing. But it wasn't a moment in isolation. Wexford accumulating yellow cards was down to Offaly's quality and pressure. And eventually it toppled them. While Stack enraged us with some calls, he didn't shy away from brandishing cards at those who crossed the line.

Admittedly Offaly's play against 14 men was more frantic rather than surgical, it was the sheer force of will that made sure Wexford never smelt a comeback.

Notable too that several Wexford players pulled up with injuries and were gassed well before the end.

[jimbob17]

Think some are being extra hard on our lads. It was game of 2 halves - with and without the wind. We were within striking distance at HT after good 1st half. We were slow to get going in second but when we did, we were clearly better than them. Give our lads credit. We beat Wexford in Liam McCarthy for first time in years. Lads finding flaw are only nitpicking in my opinion. This result and the set of results this year is monumental. If you told us last year that we'd play Kilkenny Dublin and Wexford in Leinster Champ and not lose to any of them, would you take it? You'd have taken hand and all. Offaly are in contention to top Kilkenny in Leinster and reach an All Ireland q final going into last game! That is absolutely a huge feat, given where we are coming from.

Well done to lads today. Theyve worked really hard and were fully deserving of the win imo.

[PullHardPullOften]

Think some are being extra hard on our lads. It was game of 2 halves - with and without the wind. We were within striking distance at HT after good 1st half. We were slow to get going in second but when we did, we were clearly better than them. Give our lads credit. We beat Wexford in Liam McCarthy for first time in years. Lads finding flaw are only nitpicking in my opinion. This result and the set of results this year is monumental. If you told us last year that we'd play Kilkenny Dublin and Wexford in Leinster Champ and not lose to any of them, would you take it? You'd have taken hand and all. Offaly are in contention to top Kilkenny in Leinster and reach an All Ireland q final going into last game! That is absolutely a huge feat, given where we are coming from.

Well done to lads today. Theyve worked really hard and were fully deserving of the win imo.

Last thing I’ll say because I didn’t mean to be coming across as harsh, but rather the opposite. Wexford were on top for the first 50mins - which can happen - but our lads fought tooth and nail every step of the way to turn the tide. That was the point I was trying to make and full of praise for them for that.

I have nothing but respect for anyone that dedicates themselves to our county setup, especially those that did so in the Christy Ring and Joe McDonagh days, but it can’t be positive all the time.

Just also as an aside, it’s great to see some of the older stalwarts step up. That group of u20s have really raised the standards and the veterans of the team have risen to match them. I thought Ben and Eoghan were the standouts yesterday, but Ross Ravenhill also had a very good game and I nearly forgot Ciaran Burke was hurling which is exactly what I would want from my corner back. All in all, it was a very good win and hopefully we can kick on from here.

[Wingbackassassin]

Think some are being extra hard on our lads. It was game of 2 halves - with and without the wind. We were within striking distance at HT after good 1st half. We were slow to get going in second but when we did, we were clearly better than them. Give our lads credit. We beat Wexford in Liam McCarthy for first time in years. Lads finding flaw are only nitpicking in my opinion. This result and the set of results this year is monumental. If you told us last year that we'd play Kilkenny Dublin and Wexford in Leinster Champ and not lose to any of them, would you take it? You'd have taken hand and all. Offaly are in contention to top Kilkenny in Leinster and reach an All Ireland q final going into last game! That is absolutely a huge feat, given where we are coming from.

Well done to lads today. Theyve worked really hard and were fully deserving of the win imo.

Great win and finally competing etc but there's realistically now barely any chance we qualify. After todays results Kilkenny will likely hammer Dublin in the final game

[greenairfield]

On what grounds would they hammer Dublin?

[Anon444]

The story of this team is brilliant. The older lads are as impressive as our younger players, from Christy Ring to a potential All Ireland quarter final in a couple of years is remarkable. Great crowd as well, which this team has now well and truly earned for games going forward.

If I’m not mistaken, if Dublin don’t get the job done against Kilkenny, they will be knocked out of the Leinster final but still go through in 3rd? Basically, Dublin have to win, which is great for us. If they don’t, Kilkenny will leapfrog them and Galway will sure beat a Wexford side with nothing to play for. We have a chance anyways, which anyone would have took at the start of the year.

[Wingbackassassin]

On what grounds would they hammer Dublin?

Dublin already qualified and Kilkenny must win in order to qualify.

[Anonymous1]

On what grounds would they hammer Dublin?

Dublin already qualified and Kilkenny must win in order to qualify.

Dublin are not qualified for the Leinster final.

[Bord na Mona man]

Dublin will go all out to beat Kilkenny. They have plenty of motivation. This is their best chance of winning Leinster in years. Their 2013 Leinster title is still the only one they've captured since 1961.
Despite the Blue Wave in GAA in the capital, one Leinster hurling crown is a scant harvest. They moved up to next level of competitiveness over 15 years ago, and have been winning club All Irelands and having strong underage teams since then.
Another 3rd place finish would not be seen as progress.

They've seen off Galway regularly since making the step up, but Kilkenny are still a bogey team. 2013 after a replay is still their only win over the Cats with a team comprised of Dublin players.

Parnell Park is a big advantage to Dublin and Kilkenny being mostly poison this year leaves Dublin with a great chance to win.