Offaly vs Clare - 2015 Senior Hurling Qualifier R1

[hopper82]

He must be must be given the guys a chance to redeem themselves after Laois is the only thing I can conclude from this .

I genuinely feel sorry or Whelahan he owes nothing to Offaly hurling , he stepped into the job that he wasn't qualified for , when Offaly came knocking he answered the call like he did so often as a player.

I have a feeling many supporters will hang around Tullamore tomorrow after the football so the support down in Cusack park could be bleak enough , it sounds like it could be a lonely place if Clare get a run on us early .

If that is the team that starts they owe Whelahan a favour for the loyalty he has showing them ,he must know hell be slated for going with the same team it would have been easier for him to make 6 or 7 changes or just threw in the towel after the Laois game .

Best of luck to the lads and in particular Brian , it will surely be his last game at the helm . Hopefully the CB have some sort of plan in place if Brian does decide to go , its a must that the next manager sees the remainder of the club championship.

[Toxicity234]

Hard to believe that team.
I trying to think of something positive to write.
At least Club Faithful are running a bus.

Ok. Lets look at this from a stats point of view and were even more screw than you could believe.
Over the league Offaly have given up on average 47 scoring chances to creating 28 scoring chance per game.

As the idea that this a chance for the lads to redeem themselves. I don't buy into.
What i do believe is the fact that Whelehan has checked out and we're going to take a hammering. Clare aren't an average team.
If teams like wexford and laois are creating 40+ scoring chance against us.
a full strength Clare team could take us to the cleaners.
But i don't think we see a full strength clare team on Saturday.

Really, Really worried about Saturday. This could go two ways. we could get a great start and give Clare a scare or Clare could hit the ground running and we could be on the wrong side of a 40 point hammering.

As for the manger after Whelehan was talking to a well contacted Clareen man last night and he told me that Johnny Dooley turn to be manager next. i thought he was joking but he wasn't.

But all this aside i be going into Ennis at 7 pm and best of luck to lads. I hoping for the best.

[Toxicity234]

Club Faithful Bus isn't going.

[onthefence]

First things best of luck to the lads on Saturday, for a player it cant be nice position to be in.

Imagine this, you are a player in with Offaly hurlers and everywhere you go or anyone u to talk to about the bad state of affairs Offaly hurling is in, giving out about the county board, the management and the players themselves. You have spent the last 7 or 8 months training 3 or 4 nights a week and moral is so low you feel no further along since last December, you have seen players and management walk off the panel over the past couple of months but you have stayed but you are asking yourself why did I not just walk away, sure it would have been easier just to go back to the club and be the same as the rest of d lads giving out about management etc.

You are facing in to playing Clare at home that will be out to prove a point that they are still genuine All Ireland contenders and will want to score goals early and there will be little support from Offaly at the match, Clare go 6 or 7 points up early on in the match and you turn to the player beside you for something, anything but his head is down so you look out to the line and you see management waving there arms up and down but saying nothing to inspire, up in the stands the Clare people are already starting to sneer, teamwork goes out the window its everyman for himself now, sure ill mark my own man and fuck everyone else or ill shoot from waay out the field no point in passing it inside......

I do hope im wrong and we go out and show that Offaly hurling isn't dead but im worried very worried

[Bord na Mona man]

Best of luck to Offaly anyway. They'll be up against but hopefully they'll acquit themselves well.

[Anfearban]

Best of luck to all involved with the Offaly panel and the supporters who travel. There is no denying it's a tough draw and Clare will be confident of an easy win. All we can ask as supporters is that you give everything as individuals and as a team and who knows how it might go. All the best.

[Kevin]

Good luck to all involved tomorrow.

A BIG ask, but we've shown some good play when things are clicking for us.

Take it to them.

UP THE FAITHFUL!!!!!!

[substandard]

Best of luck to the team, panel and management tomorrow, and safe travel to all going.

[Up The Faithful]

I feel the need to reiterate the point that was mentioned earlier that Brian Whelehan owes absolutely nothing to Offaly hurling. As an Offaly man Brian is regarded as one of the best in the history of the game. Brian has 4 all stars, 2 hurler of the year awards and was on the team of the milllenium in 2000 DON'T FORGET THIS!!! Just like through his playing days Brian gave everything to Offaly hurling and when he approached for the managerial vacancy yet again he didn't turn his back on the county.

The criticism this group of players and management is getting is not deserved in my opinion. These 15 lads and subs have gave full commitment to the county since before christmas when they started there strength and conditioning programmes. This group have trained 3/4 times a week, had early gym sessions in the morning, followed strict nutritional guidelines, very rarely got out to socialise aswell as juggling family education and work commitments they deserve better. The same goes for the management they have got fitness coaches, nutritionist and giving their commitment aswell as juggling work and family commitments.

Yes results havent been what we have been looking for but realistically are we gonna win the all ireland. Im not saying it was ok to lose to laois it wasnt, but thats in the past we need to move on and hope for a good result with clare.

We can only play with whats in front of us, if players dont want to play for their county unless they have a valid reason, fuck em.

All I know is 20 sumtin lads are travelling down to clare, and this shit saying they want any easy escape and just turn up (thats the height of bullshit) if you think the likes of brian carroll a great servant of offaly hurling is going down to ennis to make up the numbers you have another thing coming.

i wish the lads the best of luck tomorrow both teams. And I cant see us getting bet by what some people are saying will be a record beating. The rain is pouring down now and hopefully tomorrow evening it will cause that will slow down the clare game plan. As we could see when clare played limerick in munster quarter when you get stuck in to them they hide, one thing we cant let them do is let their forwards fun at us, backs have to be tight and disciplined. We have a very athletic midfield and they will have to do a lot of the hardwork tomorrow but those 2 lads will give 100%, in the forwards we have a very experienced inside forward line. we have great free takers in dooley and carroll and also some great fielders of the ball on their day. I heard from one of the offaly players during the week "that we have nothing to lose" thats what the lads need to do go out get stuck in cause this young clare team dont like that.

Best of luck to the lads and we need a few more positive posts on this page

[Toxicity234]

We can only play with whats in front of us, if players dont want to play for their county unless they have a valid reason, fuck em.

That a shitty comment. Players have committed and been treated poorly. Almost 50 players committed last years from November to March.
The change from last panel vs kilkenny with almost 20 change is a testament to the problem within offaly hurling. this isn't 1 or 2 players its almost 40 players over 18 months.
THAT 2 PLAYERS A MONTH YOU WANT TO FUCK.
At some stage its got to some else fault but 40 players is a huge number............................................

when you see that the management team doesn't want to stay. the answer must only point one direction and it isn't the players that you want to fuck.

i spoke to a player that left the panel last year this week and all he wanted was for Offaly to beat Clare.

You talk about Carroll and Dooley been committed. They get games no matter how badly they play. the true heros of Offaly hurling over last 8 years is Parlon and Colin Egan. they has been treated like a filler and they still turn up. That commitment. Parlon and Colin Egan is 10 times the committed hurler than Carroll or Dooley. Parlon and Colin Egan to me is a true legend of Offaly hurling.

[fifitrixiebelle]

I feel the need to reiterate the point that was mentioned earlier that Brian Whelehan owes absolutely nothing to Offaly hurling. As an Offaly man Brian is regarded as one of the best in the history of the game. Brian has 4 all stars, 2 hurler of the year awards and was on the team of the milllenium in 2000 DON'T FORGET THIS!!! Just like through his playing days Brian gave everything to Offaly hurling and when he approached for the managerial vacancy yet again he didn't turn his back on the county.

The criticism this group of players and management is getting is not deserved in my opinion. These 15 lads and subs have gave full commitment to the county since before christmas when they started there strength and conditioning programmes. This group have trained 3/4 times a week, had early gym sessions in the morning, followed strict nutritional guidelines, very rarely got out to socialise aswell as juggling family education and work commitments they deserve better. The same goes for the management they have got fitness coaches, nutritionist and giving their commitment aswell as juggling work and family commitments.

Yes results havent been what we have been looking for but realistically are we gonna win the all ireland. Im not saying it was ok to lose to laois it wasnt, but thats in the past we need to move on and hope for a good result with clare.

We can only play with whats in front of us, if players dont want to play for their county unless they have a valid reason, fuck em.

All I know is 20 sumtin lads are travelling down to clare, and this shit saying they want any easy escape and just turn up (thats the height of bullshit) if you think the likes of brian carroll a great servant of offaly hurling is going down to ennis to make up the numbers you have another thing coming.

i wish the lads the best of luck tomorrow both teams. And I cant see us getting bet by what some people are saying will be a record beating. The rain is pouring down now and hopefully tomorrow evening it will cause that will slow down the clare game plan. As we could see when clare played limerick in munster quarter when you get stuck in to them they hide, one thing we cant let them do is let their forwards fun at us, backs have to be tight and disciplined. We have a very athletic midfield and they will have to do a lot of the hardwork tomorrow but those 2 lads will give 100%, in the forwards we have a very experienced inside forward line. we have great free takers in dooley and carroll and also some great fielders of the ball on their day. I heard from one of the offaly players during the week "that we have nothing to lose" thats what the lads need to do go out get stuck in cause this young clare team dont like that.

Best of luck to the lads and we need a few more positive posts on this page

sid, if i was you i wudnt be bothered replying to anything on this site...

[Plain of the Herbs]

Personal circumstances mean I can't make the journey to Innis tomorrow (which is, probably, later today now!).

I do wish Shorty and the lads all the best and maybe we'll have another day out before 2015 ends.

Beir bua.

[Plain of the Herbs]

Great post, UTF.

This site has become a haven for pessimists lately. That's a debate for another day.

In recent years Offaly have hurled their best performances of the year in the qualifiers (Cork twice, Waterford, even Tipperary last year). Without the pressure and expectation of being at home - DRIVE into them!

I feel the need to reiterate the point that was mentioned earlier that Brian Whelehan owes absolutely nothing to Offaly hurling. As an Offaly man Brian is regarded as one of the best in the history of the game. Brian has 4 all stars, 2 hurler of the year awards and was on the team of the milllenium in 2000 DON'T FORGET THIS!!! Just like through his playing days Brian gave everything to Offaly hurling and when he approached for the managerial vacancy yet again he didn't turn his back on the county.

The criticism this group of players and management is getting is not deserved in my opinion. These 15 lads and subs have gave full commitment to the county since before christmas when they started there strength and conditioning programmes. This group have trained 3/4 times a week, had early gym sessions in the morning, followed strict nutritional guidelines, very rarely got out to socialise aswell as juggling family education and work commitments they deserve better. The same goes for the management they have got fitness coaches, nutritionist and giving their commitment aswell as juggling work and family commitments.

Yes results havent been what we have been looking for but realistically are we gonna win the all ireland. Im not saying it was ok to lose to laois it wasnt, but thats in the past we need to move on and hope for a good result with clare.

We can only play with whats in front of us, if players dont want to play for their county unless they have a valid reason, fuck em.

All I know is 20 sumtin lads are travelling down to clare, and this shit saying they want any easy escape and just turn up (thats the height of bullshit) if you think the likes of brian carroll a great servant of offaly hurling is going down to ennis to make up the numbers you have another thing coming.

i wish the lads the best of luck tomorrow both teams. And I cant see us getting bet by what some people are saying will be a record beating. The rain is pouring down now and hopefully tomorrow evening it will cause that will slow down the clare game plan. As we could see when clare played limerick in munster quarter when you get stuck in to them they hide, one thing we cant let them do is let their forwards fun at us, backs have to be tight and disciplined. We have a very athletic midfield and they will have to do a lot of the hardwork tomorrow but those 2 lads will give 100%, in the forwards we have a very experienced inside forward line. we have great free takers in dooley and carroll and also some great fielders of the ball on their day. I heard from one of the offaly players during the week "that we have nothing to lose" thats what the lads need to do go out get stuck in cause this young clare team dont like that.

Best of luck to the lads and we need a few more positive posts on this page

[bare biffo]

Great post, UTF.

This site has become a haven for pessimists lately. That's a debate for another day.

In recent years Offaly have hurled their best performances of the year in the qualifiers (Cork twice, Waterford, even Tipperary last year). Without the pressure and expectation of being at home - DRIVE into them!

I feel the need to reiterate the point that was mentioned earlier that Brian Whelehan owes absolutely nothing to Offaly hurling. As an Offaly man Brian is regarded as one of the best in the history of the game. Brian has 4 all stars, 2 hurler of the year awards and was on the team of the milllenium in 2000 DON'T FORGET THIS!!! Just like through his playing days Brian gave everything to Offaly hurling and when he approached for the managerial vacancy yet again he didn't turn his back on the county.

The criticism this group of players and management is getting is not deserved in my opinion. These 15 lads and subs have gave full commitment to the county since before christmas when they started there strength and conditioning programmes. This group have trained 3/4 times a week, had early gym sessions in the morning, followed strict nutritional guidelines, very rarely got out to socialise aswell as juggling family education and work commitments they deserve better. The same goes for the management they have got fitness coaches, nutritionist and giving their commitment aswell as juggling work and family commitments.

Yes results havent been what we have been looking for but realistically are we gonna win the all ireland. Im not saying it was ok to lose to laois it wasnt, but thats in the past we need to move on and hope for a good result with clare.

We can only play with whats in front of us, if players dont want to play for their county unless they have a valid reason, fuck em.

All I know is 20 sumtin lads are travelling down to clare, and this shit saying they want any easy escape and just turn up (thats the height of bullshit) if you think the likes of brian carroll a great servant of offaly hurling is going down to ennis to make up the numbers you have another thing coming.

i wish the lads the best of luck tomorrow both teams. And I cant see us getting bet by what some people are saying will be a record beating. The rain is pouring down now and hopefully tomorrow evening it will cause that will slow down the clare game plan. As we could see when clare played limerick in munster quarter when you get stuck in to them they hide, one thing we cant let them do is let their forwards fun at us, backs have to be tight and disciplined. We have a very athletic midfield and they will have to do a lot of the hardwork tomorrow but those 2 lads will give 100%, in the forwards we have a very experienced inside forward line. we have great free takers in dooley and carroll and also some great fielders of the ball on their day. I heard from one of the offaly players during the week "that we have nothing to lose" thats what the lads need to do go out get stuck in cause this young clare team dont like that.

Best of luck to the lads and we need a few more positive posts on this page

Reposting again because pessimism and negativity are easy options. And because Brian Whelehan is an Offaly., hurling and GAA legend and deserves nothing but goodwill.
Give the hardest rattle ye can and who knows. Whatever happens the most important thing will be the next game. Whatever it is.

[Exiled in Connacht]

Clare 3-26 Offaly 0-15 FT

Not much else to say really.