www.uibhfhaili.com

LooseCannon wrote:Was sent on something by a mate of mine who follows Martin Bennett on Facebook or Instagram or the likes. He showed a video of the vast difference in warm ups in terms of intensity. Unfortunately, I didn’t attend but am interested to see people’s thoughts on this.
I’m not suggesting anything, just wondering if it bears any truth.

Plain of the Herbs wrote:(Don't forget - for the Saturday fixture, ye have until closing time tomorrow (Friday) night to buy your tickets at the reduced price. Tickets purchased on Saturday, even in a Centra or Super Valu, cost the full €20)

A few things: -

I’d prefer if management didn’t reel off the names of hurlers who weren’t on the field when doing media interviews. Doing so only sends a message to the lads who do line out that they are second class and will be replaced once the leaders return. Rather, these lads should be given the message that they are in possession of the jersey and it is up to others to take it from them.

If any of the more senior players are to return, don’t go pickling them in the announced team. Rather, give them no 17 or 26 or something, and let Leix figure it out for themselves. Leix will have the 26 for the programme anyway.

Having a plan would help. Not letting Leix dictate the game and doing what they like would be a start. Try to get on the ball and run at them. Remember Offaly outscored them for the period of time it was 15 v 13 at the same venue on a fine night two years ago. Because Offaly ran at them. Test their discipline.

Freetaking – Kevin Connolly is one of my favourite hurlers but his freetaking strike rate isn’t good enough, and longer term will affect his general play. Maybe let David Nally or Paddy Murphy take the frees. And select the six forwards with a freetaker in mind.

Some Leix fella on the Gaaboard went and listed the recent meetings of Leix and Offaly, and conveniently omitted the 2016 championship meeting in Tullamore. The one Offaly won rather well.

Plain of the Herbs wrote:They’re fierce excited about this one over in Laois. The Laoistoday site has even dragged a report recalling their 2004 NHL win over Offaly in Birr – they are still basking in the glow of relegating Offaly that day.

Come to think of it, the prospect of beating Offaly is really all that motivates Laois hurling. They all retired after beating Offaly in the championship in 2015. Job done, targets achieved, back to club hurling. Full value for their win that day, no complaints, but it would have been nice to see them drive on afterwards. But, two weeks after that breakthrough win, they caved in against Galway, playing with a five man full-back line.

Saturday is their All-Ireland. That, and May’s championship meeting.

Kevin wrote:Thanks for that perspective POTH!

Hoping we meet fire with more fire in that case.

Good luck to the players and all involved.

COME ON OFFALY!!!!

Plain of the Herbs wrote:

A few things: -

I’d prefer if management didn’t reel off the names of hurlers who weren’t on the field when doing media interviews. Doing so only sends a message to the lads who do line out that they are second class and will be replaced once the leaders return. Rather, these lads should be given the message that they are in possession of the jersey and it is up to others to take it from them.

LooseCannon wrote:Team for tomorrow’s game.

suckindiesel wrote:There are simply no top class players in either county aged 20-25, that is a fact and one that for some, hard to acknowledge.

Plain of the Herbs wrote:They’re fierce excited about this one over in Laois.

Saturday is their All-Ireland. That, and May’s championship meeting.

suckindiesel wrote:"They’re fierce excited about this one over in Laois. The Laoistoday site has even dragged a report recalling their 2004 NHL win over Offaly in Birr – they are still basking in the glow of relegating Offaly that day".

way over the top POTH....for what it is worth, this is easily the poorest squad Laois have had since the forgettable Fennelly days which culminated in the 10-20 defeat by Cork. This game is a dead rubber, because the two sides will meet again next month in the relegation play-off and that will be the game to win.

if you want the real truth, the strength in both Offaly and Laois club hurling is in the over 30s category, the backbone of Coolderry and even KK fell into the bracket. There are simply no top class players in either county aged 20-25, that is a fact and one that for some, hard to acknowledge. The pick of amalgamating Laois and Offaly together would not serve up a game at championship level to any of the big 5 in munster.

if you want a prediction, which will hurt, but may materialise.....in the joe mcdonagh, Laois and Offaly could finish bottom of the group....in my view Westmeath with the full compliment are now superior to Offaly and a long way ahead of Laois.....Kerry are no mugs and could easily topple both...and Antrim with the Cushendall lads back could be very dangerous. I don't see Laois winning any game in the McDonagh, which will result in relegation plus our senior club winners not allowed to compete in the Leinster Senior Club championship(Intermediate instead).

so...POTH....absolutely not excited about tonight...expect 5 star shi-ite to be on offer...a case of bad beating worst.