The Intermediate Championship
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 12:21 am
The Intermediate Championship- The Preview
Here’s a nice little Monday morning read for the board. Enjoy!
With St. Brigids resounding opening success fresh in the memory( 0-17 to 0-5 against Raheen) and Bracknagh getting off to a disappointing start against a Clara second string -minus Kieran O’ Meara*- Silken Thomas previews the three main championship contenders and informs the board on these Senior aspirants...
Walsh Island
Last Year:
Beaten by a ravenous Edenderry crew despite overcoming them in the group stages. Won the division 2 league title comprehensively against a disinterested Erin Rovers team to guarantee a better standard of football.
Key Man:
William Mulhall- A developing forward with a keen eye for the posts.
Player to watch:
Brian Connor- An Offaly minor with a famous surname to live up to.
Best Players:
Alan and William Mulhall, Gary Comerford, Rory Connor, Gary O’ Connor and Ross Connor.
Silken’s Summary:
Managed by the legendary Richie Connor this is no doubt a monumental year for the maze like parish of Walsh Island. Division 1 football will inspire them but a leaky defence and lack of a major ball winner will weaken their hand. Walsh Island though have an embarrassment of attacking riches and with the prodigal son that is Gary Comerford in their ranks will push hard to regain former glories.
Weaknesses:
Full back line and strength in depth
Doon
Last Year:
Demolished wannabee contenders Raheen in the semi-final before being reeled in by the glorious reds in the O’ Connor park showpiece. Had to give second best to the upcoming Walsh Island marauders in the division 2 league semi-final replay.
Key Man:
James Coughlan- Tidy and exciting Offaly panellist who takes and creates scores with poise.
Player to Watch:
Adrian Egan- An industrious half back who gets involved in the play
Best Players:
James Coughlan, Trevor Phelan, Fintan and Donal Ryan, Paul Heavin, Damien Hunt( Will he return?)
Silken’s Summary:
Have fallen from the dizzying heights of senior semi-finalists in 2003 but still possess the wherewithal to challenge this September. With the two exceptional Ryans in tow, Doon play an exciting edge of your seat brand of football. Lack the midfield tools required despite the elevation of Desmond Egan to the Offaly panel. Seem to struggle to field fifteen really competitive players but are marshalled well by the caustic Paul Heavin.
Weaknesses:
Midfield ball winners and especially the concession of soft goals.
St. Brigids
Last Year:
An uncharacteristic lack of spirit and fight led to St. Brigids really struggling to compete throughout the whole of 2007 culminating in being outmuscled by St. Rynaghs in the senior relegation playoff despite Luke Dempseys assistance.
Key Man:
Seán Casey- Rock solid physical presence with an enviable ancestry. Pacey and composed a guaranteed Offaly starter in the current climate in this writers eyes.
Player to Watch:
Shay Hannon- An impressive wing back with the right build for senior football
Best Players:
Ken and Seán Casey, David Egan, Enda Egan, James Carroll, Anthony Foy
Silken’s Summary:
Reknowned for their verocious but legitimate hits this proud East Offaly bastion will try and regain senior status as a minimum aim this year. Croghan contain a plethora of battling half backs and midfielders but are extremely light on even Intermediate standard forwards- let alone senior. Their hopes will be pinned on the prince of Offaly football that is Ken Casey and with their masterful ability to win breaks and hussle the opposition will endeavour to supply him at every opportunity.
Weaknesses:
Lack of forwards and any substitutes of note
* To Magpie and others;
Why is Kieran O’ Meara not featuring? A very solid club footballer...
By the way...
Who the hell is gonna win the bloody thing???!!!
Here’s a nice little Monday morning read for the board. Enjoy!
With St. Brigids resounding opening success fresh in the memory( 0-17 to 0-5 against Raheen) and Bracknagh getting off to a disappointing start against a Clara second string -minus Kieran O’ Meara*- Silken Thomas previews the three main championship contenders and informs the board on these Senior aspirants...
Walsh Island
Last Year:
Beaten by a ravenous Edenderry crew despite overcoming them in the group stages. Won the division 2 league title comprehensively against a disinterested Erin Rovers team to guarantee a better standard of football.
Key Man:
William Mulhall- A developing forward with a keen eye for the posts.
Player to watch:
Brian Connor- An Offaly minor with a famous surname to live up to.
Best Players:
Alan and William Mulhall, Gary Comerford, Rory Connor, Gary O’ Connor and Ross Connor.
Silken’s Summary:
Managed by the legendary Richie Connor this is no doubt a monumental year for the maze like parish of Walsh Island. Division 1 football will inspire them but a leaky defence and lack of a major ball winner will weaken their hand. Walsh Island though have an embarrassment of attacking riches and with the prodigal son that is Gary Comerford in their ranks will push hard to regain former glories.
Weaknesses:
Full back line and strength in depth
Doon
Last Year:
Demolished wannabee contenders Raheen in the semi-final before being reeled in by the glorious reds in the O’ Connor park showpiece. Had to give second best to the upcoming Walsh Island marauders in the division 2 league semi-final replay.
Key Man:
James Coughlan- Tidy and exciting Offaly panellist who takes and creates scores with poise.
Player to Watch:
Adrian Egan- An industrious half back who gets involved in the play
Best Players:
James Coughlan, Trevor Phelan, Fintan and Donal Ryan, Paul Heavin, Damien Hunt( Will he return?)
Silken’s Summary:
Have fallen from the dizzying heights of senior semi-finalists in 2003 but still possess the wherewithal to challenge this September. With the two exceptional Ryans in tow, Doon play an exciting edge of your seat brand of football. Lack the midfield tools required despite the elevation of Desmond Egan to the Offaly panel. Seem to struggle to field fifteen really competitive players but are marshalled well by the caustic Paul Heavin.
Weaknesses:
Midfield ball winners and especially the concession of soft goals.
St. Brigids
Last Year:
An uncharacteristic lack of spirit and fight led to St. Brigids really struggling to compete throughout the whole of 2007 culminating in being outmuscled by St. Rynaghs in the senior relegation playoff despite Luke Dempseys assistance.
Key Man:
Seán Casey- Rock solid physical presence with an enviable ancestry. Pacey and composed a guaranteed Offaly starter in the current climate in this writers eyes.
Player to Watch:
Shay Hannon- An impressive wing back with the right build for senior football
Best Players:
Ken and Seán Casey, David Egan, Enda Egan, James Carroll, Anthony Foy
Silken’s Summary:
Reknowned for their verocious but legitimate hits this proud East Offaly bastion will try and regain senior status as a minimum aim this year. Croghan contain a plethora of battling half backs and midfielders but are extremely light on even Intermediate standard forwards- let alone senior. Their hopes will be pinned on the prince of Offaly football that is Ken Casey and with their masterful ability to win breaks and hussle the opposition will endeavour to supply him at every opportunity.
Weaknesses:
Lack of forwards and any substitutes of note
* To Magpie and others;
Why is Kieran O’ Meara not featuring? A very solid club footballer...
By the way...
Who the hell is gonna win the bloody thing???!!!