Offaly Senior Football 2026

[Bord na Mona man]

Anyone who was ventured near the border will know there's plenty of bitterness there. Offaly's golden generations nearly put some of them in the mad house, such were the jealousy levels. Many of them are fine too, let's keep it balanced.

However, Westmeath did the business in Leinster this year. No trips to the High Court, or dodgy scores this time. It was won on merit. And the way they grew in belief during the final, as Dublin wilted, is sport at it's epic best.

It's 20 years since a team of upper Division 3/lower Division 2 standard could contemplate winning a Leinster title and Westmeath seized the opportunity.

There can be no complaints from Offaly. We weren't in a position to capitalise. That's our own look out and our own doing.

[Bord na Mona man]

[Faithfully]

Westmeath have been operating at a higher level, on average, for the past few years. A few different markers of this - having won the Tailteann Cup, they drew with Tyrone and lost to Armagh by a point in that year's All Ireland Group Stage. They were pretty competitive the following year as well.

The funny thing about them is that, along with being chronically unable to close out tight games, they often seemed to match their level of performance to their opponents. They would be in a one score game vs a Div 4 team just as often as with a Div 1 team.

Their victory is great for football in Leinster. A truly hard earned path and nobody could say that they didn't deserve it. In light of the above team posted by BnM Man, I would note that 12 of our team that beat Kildare in the final of Div 3 last year are available for selection. Westmeath won their way through to the Leinster final without Luke Loughlin in large parts, Ronan O'Toole and John Heslin. Unquestionably their 3 best forwards of the past several years. Jonathan Lynam, a very impressive Sigerson footballer, was also missing. Whitaker missed almost all of the game vs Kildare.

Point is, the injuries that we were plagued with have cleared up to a decent extent. We are now missing no more than other counties. It shouldn't be used as a reason from here on out, so I would be hopeful of a spirited performance vs Down after picking up a fine win vs Clare.

Regarding any WH bitterness, that would be only natural. They saw Offaly rack up an improbable amount of Leinsters and All Irelands, whilst they won nothing. Even now, Offaly have 19 Leinsters and 7 AI titles. Compare that with their 2 Leinsters, 0 AIs. Include underage and we have 61 titles to their 11. They are celebrating and making the most of this triumph and they are dead right to do so.

It looks like Tubber is the most hostile front on the OY-WH border based on the below

https://www.hoganstand.com/County/Natio ... dex/340420

[G91]

Actually apologies

Offaly were dominant for a long time.

Westmeath caught up under paidí and then started to win games Vs Offaly.

I know that's a long time ago now.

The gap was not the big between the 2 , in one league game recent years in Mullingar Offaly were dominant up to half time and then fell apart

Certainly even as far as last year you wouldn't think Westmeath would win Leinster ,Offaly either.

Dominant for a long time it's 2026 lad they've beaten us every single time we've played for the last decade

If your going to be a clown on here and trying to be a "smart lad"at least do a bit googling I won't be responding to your nonsense after this

In the last decade Offaly have beaten Westmeath both in Leinster and in the O Byrne cup

Decade= 10 year period

11-01_2020 O Byrne cup Offaly 0.16 Westmeath 0.11

I believe that's a win for offaly.

[Faithfully]

Actually apologies

Offaly were dominant for a long time.

Westmeath caught up under paidí and then started to win games Vs Offaly.

I know that's a long time ago now.

The gap was not the big between the 2 , in one league game recent years in Mullingar Offaly were dominant up to half time and then fell apart

Certainly even as far as last year you wouldn't think Westmeath would win Leinster ,Offaly either.

Dominant for a long time it's 2026 lad they've beaten us every single time we've played for the last decade

If your going to be a clown on here and trying to be a "smart lad"at least do a bit googling I won't be responding to your nonsense after this

In the last decade Offaly have beaten Westmeath both in Leinster and in the O Byrne cup

Decade= 10 year period

14-05-2006 LSFC Offaly 0.15 Westmeath 0.11

I believe that's a win for offaly.

2006 is 20 years ago. That being 2 decades...

We did beat them in 2018 League in what was a dead rubber for them.

[G91]

At least majority on here can be respectful with replies and opinions

[oneshot]

lads ye are like two bald men fighting over a comb.

[biffinbanner]

wowser. what a win. credit to them. they have really turned it around.

[faithfulfanatic]

Fantastic win - probably now the 2 best teams left in it, so if we are to get to a final, it will probably be Down again.
Clare beaten by Longford, Laois beat London, Leitrim beat Carlow and Wicklow beat Fermanagh.

[greenairfield]

What is the full list of teams and how many games do we need to win to win it out ?

Savage win this evening fair play to them for turning it around.

If we were to win the tailtean cup where does it leave us next year.

[Offaly Hero]

Unbelievable win for Offaly.
I’m delighted for the players and management, not least because of the unrelenting negativity that has surrounded the team this year as typified by this forum.


I’ll never understand the attitude among counties that are in the Tailteann Cup towards the Tailteann cup. As if playing in it is beneath them/a waste of time etc.
When will people realise that’s it’s our championship and the chance is there within it to define a season.
Honestly, I actually think if they named it the Senior B All-Ireland Championship then finally the penny would drop with people.

Even the usually exceptional Bord na Mona Man posted in the aftermath of the Laois game:
‘Right now my feeling is that it's a pity Offaly have to limp onwards into the TC. This would have been an appropriate time to sign off with a management set up that had a productive 2025, but has now reached the end of the road’.

This is a view that I’m sure was shared by many. But just because then it seemed unlikely we would make an impact in the Tailteann Cup, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have taken the chance. Again, it’s our championship. I hope the players and management enjoy the victory.

[faithfulfanatic]

What is the full list of teams and how many games do we need to win to win it out ?

Savage win this evening fair play to them for turning it around.

If we were to win the tailtean cup where does it leave us next year.

We were in Round 2A, the winners round. Laois also won in that. Fermanagh v Wexford and Antrim Tipp tomorrow are also 2A.
Losers of 2A games play winners of the 2B games.
Winners of 2A games to go quarter final, except one who will be drawn to play New York.

Winners of TC guaranteed an All Ireland Championship spot the following year

[Faithfully]

Unbelievable win. Delighted for players and management. Literally nobody to fear in this competition now. Everyone deserves credit, but Hyland stepping up with the crucial 2 pointers at important times was key. The off the ground free he sliced from the 14 yard line on the terrace side was sublime.

[Anon444]

Some win, management and players have to be applauded for how they are approaching this competition. Hopefully a long summer

[Kevin]

Outstanding!

Had it on the radio. The boys were saying towards the end of the first half that Down were starting to control the kickouts and the change of ends would have us going into the wind.

The game tightened and I can imagine things got a little nervy.

Then we withstood the attacks and pulled away. Was a really great feeling.

So happy for all involved to see some success.

Drive on boys!!!!!