Offaly Senior Footballers 2024

[ah lethimoutwithit]

Agreed LS.

Put better than I could.
Lads need to be straight up with issues they have, not whinging but straight up.
I'm not defending current mgt at all costs , and if there isn't a meeting to set out how Offaly address the issues of the back end of the championship then no question, Declan won't see a third year, and if he or the players don't seek out that meeting with the county board then we are destined to failure.

[Anonymous1]

Keeping DK in place with a new backroom team would be akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Our stalwarts are all in the twilights of their careers and many likely won’t recommit under DK again.

The 2021 U20’s who were meant to be the backbone of the Senior team for the next decade have turned out to largely be a busted flush of a group with only a handful good enough at this level.

And as for this past years U20’s and minor teams… The less said the better.

Offaly football is heading into a very very dark period indeed unless something changes and fast… If not we could be in division 4 and stuck there permanently which would only further our demise as nobody in their right minds would want to play for us.

Jeez you are one miserable, doom merchant!! I would guess you're not involved in anything at club level and just sitting waiting to stick the boot in.
Of course its not perfect but strangely enough there are people all around the county trying to change things and improve.
Similar to Cork, coaching levels are not where they need to be. Declan Kelly was the best man for the job and as he is from Offaly of course he deserves a second year. However, he won't see a third if there is not some change in approach or additional support added to the back room team.

In relation to Wallace, that was a punt and didnt work, Richie Connor was not the man for the job and had only limited success at club, and can anyone tell me....dd Martin Murphy actually want the job this year????
My understanding was that he took it on to the end of the season after what happened and was not interested in taking it on.
So up to senior players to sit down and talk out the issues with mgt and co board, which should happen every year anyway and see what needs to change. Id be shocked if that isn't in the plan, or hasn't been done.

Why should being from Offaly make a blind bit of difference?

In any organisation that takes itself half seriously you hire the person who you believe would be best for the job not who lives nearest the workplace…

As far as Martin Murphy goes, my understanding is it was made clear to him in discussions with Michael Duignan that he wasn’t going to get the job so he walked the plank before he was pushed and I didn’t hear anybody arguing then that he deserved a second year because he was an Offaly man…

[One Time]

Keeping DK in place with a new backroom team would be akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Our stalwarts are all in the twilights of their careers and many likely won’t recommit under DK again.

The 2021 U20’s who were meant to be the backbone of the Senior team for the next decade have turned out to largely be a busted flush of a group with only a handful good enough at this level.

And as for this past years U20’s and minor teams… The less said the better.

Offaly football is heading into a very very dark period indeed unless something changes and fast… If not we could be in division 4 and stuck there permanently which would only further our demise as nobody in their right minds would want to play for us.

Jeez you are one miserable, doom merchant!! I would guess you're not involved in anything at club level and just sitting waiting to stick the boot in.
Of course its not perfect but strangely enough there are people all around the county trying to change things and improve.
Similar to Cork, coaching levels are not where they need to be. Declan Kelly was the best man for the job and as he is from Offaly of course he deserves a second year. However, he won't see a third if there is not some change in approach or additional support added to the back room team.

In relation to Wallace, that was a punt and didnt work, Richie Connor was not the man for the job and had only limited success at club, and can anyone tell me....dd Martin Murphy actually want the job this year????
My understanding was that he took it on to the end of the season after what happened and was not interested in taking it on.
So up to senior players to sit down and talk out the issues with mgt and co board, which should happen every year anyway and see what needs to change. Id be shocked if that isn't in the plan, or hasn't been done.

Why should being from Offaly make a blind bit of difference?

In any organisation that takes itself half seriously you hire the person who you believe would be best for the job not who lives nearest the workplace…

As far as Martin Murphy goes, my understanding is it was made clear to him in discussions with Michael Duignan that he wasn’t going to get the job so he walked the plank before he was pushed and I didn’t hear anybody arguing then that he deserved a second year because he was an Offaly man…

Martin walked of his own accord because he didn't want the job, not because Michael duignan told him he wasnt getting it. The old bit of hearsay needs to stop methinks, lot of second hand "info" going around. The manager in question has won a lot and has won with a lot of the players that are/will be on this squad. The players shouldn't be dictating, the manager needs to set out what he wants and how he is going to go about it and you're either on board with it or you're not. Player power has been a continous issue in offaly for many a year now with many a different manager.. I know one player personally, (and this is not hearsay, im tellin you what i was told by a member of the panel who left the panel (lack of game time anf injury but no issue with same or with Declan Kelly, he just wasnt goin well enough) I told him I'd read/heard rumours etc.. his thoughts on it were that there is a few members of the squad who think they know it all, want to dictate trainin and pick the team and are driving any unrest that is in the camp. Seems to be a lot less unrest than lads are making out..He said Kelly can be hard to work with like a lot of managers and he didn't like some of his training methods or team selections but he said he's manager at the end of the day and the least he deserves is the respect of all the players and opportunity at least to manage the team and implement what he wanted to do or at least have that opportunity to do so.. seems as if like many time in the past some players are causing hassle. I'd suggest the lack of sentiment towards experienced members of the squad eith kelly instead choosing to integrate new and young players was a big part of the issue, surely that's the manager's prerogative and I'd tend to agree with that strategy, you need to start getting new and young players bedded into the team early and build, depending on lads well into their 30s isn't the way to go at that level, if I'm 23 and not gettin a chance because a lad 10 years older is staring because he has given great service down the years, I ain't gonna sit around waiting, it's a sure way to lose players. I'm not saying get rid of all the auld lads but you need to get new players involved game time and build a team. Saw a post there about "players that should be there" same sentiment with a lot of the same players every year a lot of who have half committed to an odd year here and there and some of whom are past their prime. Usual lads mentioned that are no use to us, Joe Maher, Jamie Evans, lawlor, Tierney, if they wanted wanted be in there they would be but they simply haven't ever committed to the offaly team and the first pre requisite to being there is 100% commitment and buy in. The idea that all these lads are better than a chunk of this years panel is just silly. It's worth remembering its not the first offaly team to down tools for a secondary competition also and tales of impending doom and division 4 wooden spoons are a little bit exaggerated. Results against Louth and meath last year will tell you there is talent and ability there.. also seen a comment saying that we were nowhere near tailteann top 4, we literally disposed of one of the finalists in the championship with minimum fuss 2 months ago.. wicklow, clare, Sligo have hardly shamed themselves in the championship since we played them in the league either. Agree that our "stalwarts" are kicking on and I'd respectfully suggest that given that's the case that the impact of them leaving won't be as bad as people think (and that's not being disrespectful), some lads have been incredible down the years but worth remembering as incredible as they have been we've achieved very little with them. The manager needs to come in, set out his stall, pick his team and panel and manage the team and the players need to buy in 100%.

[ah lethimoutwithit]

Keeping DK in place with a new backroom team would be akin to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Our stalwarts are all in the twilights of their careers and many likely won’t recommit under DK again.

The 2021 U20’s who were meant to be the backbone of the Senior team for the next decade have turned out to largely be a busted flush of a group with only a handful good enough at this level.

And as for this past years U20’s and minor teams… The less said the better.

Offaly football is heading into a very very dark period indeed unless something changes and fast… If not we could be in division 4 and stuck there permanently which would only further our demise as nobody in their right minds would want to play for us.

Jeez you are one miserable, doom merchant!! I would guess you're not involved in anything at club level and just sitting waiting to stick the boot in.
Of course its not perfect but strangely enough there are people all around the county trying to change things and improve.
Similar to Cork, coaching levels are not where they need to be. Declan Kelly was the best man for the job and as he is from Offaly of course he deserves a second year. However, he won't see a third if there is not some change in approach or additional support added to the back room team.

In relation to Wallace, that was a punt and didnt work, Richie Connor was not the man for the job and had only limited success at club, and can anyone tell me....dd Martin Murphy actually want the job this year????
My understanding was that he took it on to the end of the season after what happened and was not interested in taking it on.
So up to senior players to sit down and talk out the issues with mgt and co board, which should happen every year anyway and see what needs to change. Id be shocked if that isn't in the plan, or hasn't been done.

Why should being from Offaly make a blind bit of difference?

In any organisation that takes itself half seriously you hire the person who you believe would be best for the job not who lives nearest the workplace…

As far as Martin Murphy goes, my understanding is it was made clear to him in discussions with Michael Duignan that he wasn’t going to get the job so he walked the plank before he was pushed and I didn’t hear anybody arguing then that he deserved a second year because he was an Offaly man…

[ah lethimoutwithit]

Again you're found out Anonymous re Martin Murphy, its my understanding he walked also of his own accord as is his choice.
It does make a blind bit of difference if you can see past your nose as to how lads are treated if they are from Offaly.

We want guys (and girls!!!), to put their hands up to coach our teams from within the county, why? Because this needs to be an aspiration of coaches to puch on with their development. I've raised the point in posts that there is limited stock of coaches and its well known that Senior, U20 and Minor mgt were not jumping up and down for the jobs. Mainly because of the time involved and the crap that goes with it.
Players are hard work in smaller counties these days as its tough going for all parties with little reward.

Bottom line as I said a few weeks ago, and today is that there needs to be meetings had and discuss the first year.
We have to ensure that managers and coaches are supported as necessary, and players need to realise that they may need to bide their time. Some of them may decide to retire now, and some need to look at themselves and what they are offering.

[FerbaneInsider]

Jeez you are one miserable, doom merchant!! I would guess you're not involved in anything at club level and just sitting waiting to stick the boot in.
Of course its not perfect but strangely enough there are people all around the county trying to change things and improve.
Similar to Cork, coaching levels are not where they need to be. Declan Kelly was the best man for the job and as he is from Offaly of course he deserves a second year. However, he won't see a third if there is not some change in approach or additional support added to the back room team.

In relation to Wallace, that was a punt and didnt work, Richie Connor was not the man for the job and had only limited success at club, and can anyone tell me....dd Martin Murphy actually want the job this year????
My understanding was that he took it on to the end of the season after what happened and was not interested in taking it on.
So up to senior players to sit down and talk out the issues with mgt and co board, which should happen every year anyway and see what needs to change. Id be shocked if that isn't in the plan, or hasn't been done.

Why should being from Offaly make a blind bit of difference?

In any organisation that takes itself half seriously you hire the person who you believe would be best for the job not who lives nearest the workplace…

As far as Martin Murphy goes, my understanding is it was made clear to him in discussions with Michael Duignan that he wasn’t going to get the job so he walked the plank before he was pushed and I didn’t hear anybody arguing then that he deserved a second year because he was an Offaly man…

Martin walked of his own accord because he didn't want the job, not because Michael duignan told him he wasnt getting it. The old bit of hearsay needs to stop methinks, lot of second hand "info" going around. The manager in question has won a lot and has won with a lot of the players that are/will be on this squad. The players shouldn't be dictating, the manager needs to set out what he wants and how he is going to go about it and you're either on board with it or you're not. Player power has been a continous issue in offaly for many a year now with many a different manager.. I know one player personally, (and this is not hearsay, im tellin you what i was told by a member of the panel who left the panel (lack of game time anf injury but no issue with same or with Declan Kelly, he just wasnt goin well enough) I told him I'd read/heard rumours etc.. his thoughts on it were that there is a few members of the squad who think they know it all, want to dictate trainin and pick the team and are driving any unrest that is in the camp. Seems to be a lot less unrest than lads are making out..He said Kelly can be hard to work with like a lot of managers and he didn't like some of his training methods or team selections but he said he's manager at the end of the day and the least he deserves is the respect of all the players and opportunity at least to manage the team and implement what he wanted to do or at least have that opportunity to do so.. seems as if like many time in the past some players are causing hassle. I'd suggest the lack of sentiment towards experienced members of the squad eith kelly instead choosing to integrate new and young players was a big part of the issue, surely that's the manager's prerogative and I'd tend to agree with that strategy, you need to start getting new and young players bedded into the team early and build, depending on lads well into their 30s isn't the way to go at that level, if I'm 23 and not gettin a chance because a lad 10 years older is staring because he has given great service down the years, I ain't gonna sit around waiting, it's a sure way to lose players. I'm not saying get rid of all the auld lads but you need to get new players involved game time and build a team. Saw a post there about "players that should be there" same sentiment with a lot of the same players every year a lot of who have half committed to an odd year here and there and some of whom are past their prime. Usual lads mentioned that are no use to us, Joe Maher, Jamie Evans, lawlor, Tierney, if they wanted wanted be in there they would be but they simply haven't ever committed to the offaly team and the first pre requisite to being there is 100% commitment and buy in. The idea that all these lads are better than a chunk of this years panel is just silly. It's worth remembering its not the first offaly team to down tools for a secondary competition also and tales of impending doom and division 4 wooden spoons are a little bit exaggerated. Results against Louth and meath last year will tell you there is talent and ability there.. also seen a comment saying that we were nowhere near tailteann top 4, we literally disposed of one of the finalists in the championship with minimum fuss 2 months ago.. wicklow, clare, Sligo have hardly shamed themselves in the championship since we played them in the league either. Agree that our "stalwarts" are kicking on and I'd respectfully suggest that given that's the case that the impact of them leaving won't be as bad as people think (and that's not being disrespectful), some lads have been incredible down the years but worth remembering as incredible as they have been we've achieved very little with them. The manager needs to come in, set out his stall, pick his team and panel and manage the team and the players need to buy in 100%.

Joey please stop creating new accounts, it’s obvious to everybody here.

[SearingDrive]

Jeez you are one miserable, doom merchant!! I would guess you're not involved in anything at club level and just sitting waiting to stick the boot in.
Of course its not perfect but strangely enough there are people all around the county trying to change things and improve.
Similar to Cork, coaching levels are not where they need to be. Declan Kelly was the best man for the job and as he is from Offaly of course he deserves a second year. However, he won't see a third if there is not some change in approach or additional support added to the back room team.

In relation to Wallace, that was a punt and didnt work, Richie Connor was not the man for the job and had only limited success at club, and can anyone tell me....dd Martin Murphy actually want the job this year????
My understanding was that he took it on to the end of the season after what happened and was not interested in taking it on.
So up to senior players to sit down and talk out the issues with mgt and co board, which should happen every year anyway and see what needs to change. Id be shocked if that isn't in the plan, or hasn't been done.

Why should being from Offaly make a blind bit of difference?

In any organisation that takes itself half seriously you hire the person who you believe would be best for the job not who lives nearest the workplace…

As far as Martin Murphy goes, my understanding is it was made clear to him in discussions with Michael Duignan that he wasn’t going to get the job so he walked the plank before he was pushed and I didn’t hear anybody arguing then that he deserved a second year because he was an Offaly man…

Martin walked of his own accord because he didn't want the job, not because Michael duignan told him he wasnt getting it. The old bit of hearsay needs to stop methinks, lot of second hand "info" going around. The manager in question has won a lot and has won with a lot of the players that are/will be on this squad. The players shouldn't be dictating, the manager needs to set out what he wants and how he is going to go about it and you're either on board with it or you're not. Player power has been a continous issue in offaly for many a year now with many a different manager.. I know one player personally, (and this is not hearsay, im tellin you what i was told by a member of the panel who left the panel (lack of game time anf injury but no issue with same or with Declan Kelly, he just wasnt goin well enough) I told him I'd read/heard rumours etc.. his thoughts on it were that there is a few members of the squad who think they know it all, want to dictate trainin and pick the team and are driving any unrest that is in the camp. Seems to be a lot less unrest than lads are making out..He said Kelly can be hard to work with like a lot of managers and he didn't like some of his training methods or team selections but he said he's manager at the end of the day and the least he deserves is the respect of all the players and opportunity at least to manage the team and implement what he wanted to do or at least have that opportunity to do so.. seems as if like many time in the past some players are causing hassle. I'd suggest the lack of sentiment towards experienced members of the squad eith kelly instead choosing to integrate new and young players was a big part of the issue, surely that's the manager's prerogative and I'd tend to agree with that strategy, you need to start getting new and young players bedded into the team early and build, depending on lads well into their 30s isn't the way to go at that level, if I'm 23 and not gettin a chance because a lad 10 years older is staring because he has given great service down the years, I ain't gonna sit around waiting, it's a sure way to lose players. I'm not saying get rid of all the auld lads but you need to get new players involved game time and build a team. Saw a post there about "players that should be there" same sentiment with a lot of the same players every year a lot of who have half committed to an odd year here and there and some of whom are past their prime. Usual lads mentioned that are no use to us, Joe Maher, Jamie Evans, lawlor, Tierney, if they wanted wanted be in there they would be but they simply haven't ever committed to the offaly team and the first pre requisite to being there is 100% commitment and buy in. The idea that all these lads are better than a chunk of this years panel is just silly. It's worth remembering its not the first offaly team to down tools for a secondary competition also and tales of impending doom and division 4 wooden spoons are a little bit exaggerated. Results against Louth and meath last year will tell you there is talent and ability there.. also seen a comment saying that we were nowhere near tailteann top 4, we literally disposed of one of the finalists in the championship with minimum fuss 2 months ago.. wicklow, clare, Sligo have hardly shamed themselves in the championship since we played them in the league either. Agree that our "stalwarts" are kicking on and I'd respectfully suggest that given that's the case that the impact of them leaving won't be as bad as people think (and that's not being disrespectful), some lads have been incredible down the years but worth remembering as incredible as they have been we've achieved very little with them. The manager needs to come in, set out his stall, pick his team and panel and manage the team and the players need to buy in 100%.

A lot of sense there. Martin Murphy I believe left for his own reasons, he wasn’t disposed with.

Looking at the form shown by Sligo and Laois yesterday, makes you wonder what would happen if Offaly footballers committed to the Tailteann Cup.

[ruletheroost]

Why should being from Offaly make a blind bit of difference?

In any organisation that takes itself half seriously you hire the person who you believe would be best for the job not who lives nearest the workplace…

As far as Martin Murphy goes, my understanding is it was made clear to him in discussions with Michael Duignan that he wasn’t going to get the job so he walked the plank before he was pushed and I didn’t hear anybody arguing then that he deserved a second year because he was an Offaly man…

Martin walked of his own accord because he didn't want the job, not because Michael duignan told him he wasnt getting it. The old bit of hearsay needs to stop methinks, lot of second hand "info" going around. The manager in question has won a lot and has won with a lot of the players that are/will be on this squad. The players shouldn't be dictating, the manager needs to set out what he wants and how he is going to go about it and you're either on board with it or you're not. Player power has been a continous issue in offaly for many a year now with many a different manager.. I know one player personally, (and this is not hearsay, im tellin you what i was told by a member of the panel who left the panel (lack of game time anf injury but no issue with same or with Declan Kelly, he just wasnt goin well enough) I told him I'd read/heard rumours etc.. his thoughts on it were that there is a few members of the squad who think they know it all, want to dictate trainin and pick the team and are driving any unrest that is in the camp. Seems to be a lot less unrest than lads are making out..He said Kelly can be hard to work with like a lot of managers and he didn't like some of his training methods or team selections but he said he's manager at the end of the day and the least he deserves is the respect of all the players and opportunity at least to manage the team and implement what he wanted to do or at least have that opportunity to do so.. seems as if like many time in the past some players are causing hassle. I'd suggest the lack of sentiment towards experienced members of the squad eith kelly instead choosing to integrate new and young players was a big part of the issue, surely that's the manager's prerogative and I'd tend to agree with that strategy, you need to start getting new and young players bedded into the team early and build, depending on lads well into their 30s isn't the way to go at that level, if I'm 23 and not gettin a chance because a lad 10 years older is staring because he has given great service down the years, I ain't gonna sit around waiting, it's a sure way to lose players. I'm not saying get rid of all the auld lads but you need to get new players involved game time and build a team. Saw a post there about "players that should be there" same sentiment with a lot of the same players every year a lot of who have half committed to an odd year here and there and some of whom are past their prime. Usual lads mentioned that are no use to us, Joe Maher, Jamie Evans, lawlor, Tierney, if they wanted wanted be in there they would be but they simply haven't ever committed to the offaly team and the first pre requisite to being there is 100% commitment and buy in. The idea that all these lads are better than a chunk of this years panel is just silly. It's worth remembering its not the first offaly team to down tools for a secondary competition also and tales of impending doom and division 4 wooden spoons are a little bit exaggerated. Results against Louth and meath last year will tell you there is talent and ability there.. also seen a comment saying that we were nowhere near tailteann top 4, we literally disposed of one of the finalists in the championship with minimum fuss 2 months ago.. wicklow, clare, Sligo have hardly shamed themselves in the championship since we played them in the league either. Agree that our "stalwarts" are kicking on and I'd respectfully suggest that given that's the case that the impact of them leaving won't be as bad as people think (and that's not being disrespectful), some lads have been incredible down the years but worth remembering as incredible as they have been we've achieved very little with them. The manager needs to come in, set out his stall, pick his team and panel and manage the team and the players need to buy in 100%.

A lot of sense there. Martin Murphy I believe left for his own reasons, he wasn’t disposed with.

Looking at the form shown by Sligo and Laois yesterday, makes you wonder what would happen if Offaly footballers committed to the Tailteann Cup.

I think the players were commited to the Tailteann cup. I think the management just showed very little respect to London.
Three players started against London that hardly played a minute in the league or championship. Did they think it was going to be a walk in the park? It fairly backfired!

[ah lethimoutwithit]

Team v London
Offaly: Ian Duffy; Lee Pearson, David Dempsey, John Furlong; Cormac Egan, Rory Egan, Peter Cunningham; Eoin Carroll, Cathal Donoghue; Dylan Hyland, Cathal Flynn, Jordan Hayes; Cian Farrell, Keith O’Neill, Jack Bryant. Subs used: Jack O’Brien for R Egan (43 mins), Nigel Dunne for Flynn (45), Ruairí McNamee for Farrell (48), Nathan Poland for Donoghue and Dan Molloy for Dempsey (66)


Rule the Roost , which 3 were resonsible for the collapse and mgt showed scant regard for London because they started???

[ruletheroost]

Team v London
Offaly: Ian Duffy; Lee Pearson, David Dempsey, John Furlong; Cormac Egan, Rory Egan, Peter Cunningham; Eoin Carroll, Cathal Donoghue; Dylan Hyland, Cathal Flynn, Jordan Hayes; Cian Farrell, Keith O’Neill, Jack Bryant. Subs used: Jack O’Brien for R Egan (43 mins), Nigel Dunne for Flynn (45), Ruairí McNamee for Farrell (48), Nathan Poland for Donoghue and Dan Molloy for Dempsey (66)


Rule the Roost , which 3 were resonsible for the collapse and mgt showed scant regard for London because they started???

If you were a fan and went to all the games you wouldn't have to ask that question. I didn't say it was those players fault either. But why start 3 players that you had zero faith in in the league and championship proper? Just because it was London??

[Buttons]

I actually thought going near the later stages of the league we were going well, takes a while to work out the best players and thought we had a stable team. Team nearly picked itself near the end.

I do think division 3 could be one that providing what way fixtures start you could look at promotion with one eye and relegation with the other. I don’t think any team will fear anyone and will be hoping to defeat Leitrim.

I don’t know any of the players now but don’t think we are in that bad a position, 6-7 months time will tell a lot and hopefully a good championship opens the door for one or two new players to come in.

[ah lethimoutwithit]

Why not start them, if they are in there training and the gun is constantly being put to your head from all and sundry that x, y and z should be starting then why shouldn't he start them.
Put up or shut up, and you have others to come in off the bench.

Players never turned up, but ah fugg it, they'll turn up next year if we get another new manager. Same as went on after Padraig Nolan for years.
My final comment though is that there will need to be a change in approach and addition to backroom as we are too light there. if this doesn't happen then he will be in bother. Needs to be challenged from within and then we may see some more prgress (to go with league).

[del]

More progress. No progress whatsovet was made this year we have gone backwards . The blind faith in this manager is bewildering

[ah lethimoutwithit]

More progress. No progress whatsovet was made this year we have gone backwards . The blind faith in this manager is bewildering

Lot of personal bias it appears in many of the statements against him too it appears.

[del]

No personal bias on my behalf anyway . Just there is no defending what’s going. If it was an outside manager he would be gone it’s a result based gig and the results and level of performances have been atrocious
The level of prep this team has got too is way below standard old school running the shit outta players training with no science behind it no collective gym sessions iv said all this before but people still defend what went on this year. Anyway this forum won’t sway anybody or anything it’s up to the clubs and county board to sort the mess out
Best of luck to them