Richie Connor's first team selection

[Lone Shark]

Tis a fairly quiet time of year all told, but I'd say that this was worthy of mention - Richie Connor has selected his first team, albeit picking without any under 21 players, and not including any Rhode, Brigids or Birr players due to their clubs' runs in Leinster. The team is:

Mulhall; Evans, McManus, Brady; Flannery, Quinn, Mitchell; Smith, Carroll; N Coughlan, Guinan, Rafferty; Deehan, Reynolds, J Coughlan.

Obviously any team picked at this time of year will have no shortage of experimentation attached, however my first reaction is positive. One of my biggest criticisms of Pat Roe was that there was no thinking outside the box in terms of resolving our key positional problems. Now I have no idea whether McManus will be ideally suited to minding the shop at full back, indeed I wouldn't have considered it myself, but it's nice to see something different being tried. Likewise a few players who could make a real contribution to the team have been included - I'm thinking the likes of Evans, Mitchell, Quinn and Guinan here. Obviously it's highly unlikely that all of these players will still be lining out against Kildare next May, but they all strike me as a lot more likely to nail down a position than any of the players Roe brought in.

I'm going to presume that Rafferty won't actually play left wing forward, instead moving back as an extra defender - if so, fair play. When in doubt, tighten up the defence and see what happens from there. Also, it'll be interesting to see which of the obvious alternatives in the full forward line steps up and delivers in the absence of Niall.

[Blue and White]

Is that Conor Carroll? I've only seen him play twice but must say was impressed. Very strong physically and hope he goes well. Also glad to see Flannery getting a run. No idea if he's county standard but any time I've played against him he has caused us all sorts of trouble. Who is Mulhall in goals?

[bazza]

I'd agree with you LS in that its good to see the likes of evans, mitchell, quinn and young Carroll getting a chance but there is only so many times i can pay 10 or 15 euro to go in and watch rafferty, reynolds, scott brady and neville coughlan running around in O'Connor park. Its been going on for 5 years now and to be honest i'm genuinely pissed off Richie Connor hasnt got rid of a few of them and started trying other lads.

[Lone Shark]

Tis Conor Carroll indeed, and Alan Mulhall is the keeper.

Regarding Carroll, I haven't seen enough of him to come up with a strong opinion one way or another, but that's not really the issue here - the point is that an unknown quantity is getting a chance to stake a claim for one of the positions which is very definitely up for grabs - which is a pleasant change from going back to the same tired old faces again.

I agree that there are a few older faces there too, but with so many names unavailable to Connor, he was always likely to have to bring in a few older heads. Being honest, I wouldn't be writing off the likes of Ger Rafferty or Neville Coughlan either - these lads still have plenty in the tank. I have more reservations regarding Brady and Reynolds, however there is a lot more value in trying out younger players alongside experienced county players. Rory Guinan will learn a lot more with the likes of Neville Coughlan beside him giving a few pointers than he would if there was another raw face in there.

I think Flannery needs a year of intense gym work myself, but he can only improve for the experience. Certainly the Dubs, even a shadow team, will bring plenty of physicality to Tullamore and will give us a real clue as to whether these lads have potential or not.

[D Corner Flag]

Delighted there is a change about it, looking forward now to seeing how they fair out,
my initial views are....

Mulhall; - Yes, worth a shot, good kick out and big
Evans, - Delighted to have back- can make it his own
McManus, - I think this will work, strong and fast and can power out of defence
Brady; - hopefully will use his reading of the game and stay out in front
Flannery, - needs to be confident and use his speed going forward, very light if on a big man
Quinn, - not sure but will be good under breaks, maybe better on the wing
Mitchell; - should sit in no problem again needs to use his ability going forward to nulify his man
Smith,- should be here all year and contine developing
Carroll; - Happy there is experimentation but not sure if he has enough football
N Coughlan, - dont think this will go well
Guinan, - I dont think he is suited to heavy ground but is a class footballer again right call
Rafferty; - bit mad, but why not- obviously there to win breaks and hit lads
Deehan, - needs to forget about 2008
Reynolds, - As above!
J Coughlan - Like to see him make it his own has been there for years now without a real good run of games

Does anyone know what kind of subs are listed? as the new rules are in too...

[black and red exile]

Thrilled to see Rory Guinan start on Sunday, without doubt the best freetaker in the county by a country mile. Don't know what to make with Mac at full back, I suppose we might have some idea by 3.30 on Sunday. Conor Carroll is a very good club midfielder, I've seen him a fair few times over the years and he is very steady but I would have my doubts if he will make it at this level. Raff will obviously drop back as a third midfielder/ extra defender and as LS said it's refreshing to see our new boss experimenting with his first 15 of the year, god knows after the last couple of years something different is well overdue.

[redser]

Mulhall; - Ive heard hes a dcent keeper. A good back up for Kelly
Evans, - Had a great year with Plunketts in Dublin, uses the ball very well, can becaught out badly by times but good see him back
McManus, - Id love to see this work but time will tell. Need his energy further out the field though.
Brady; - He is worth a place on the panel anyway. big strong player like him is what is needed.
Flannery, - Cant understand this at all. Really dont think hes that good at all.
Quinn, - Maybe better in full back line
Mitchell; - More a central player as he not that quick
Smith,- Best of last years team
Carroll; Dont know anyhing of him
N Coughlan, - Good to have him back. He should be a starter this year
Guinan, - Had a great year with college and Ballycumber.Would be great if he makes an impact with county now. Has the skill and size.
Rafferty; - Not a forward anyway but despite his critics deserves to be in line for place in backline
Deehan, - Will always kick scores but has to lose the cockiness.
Reynolds, - Disaster.
J Coughlan - Very good footballer, definately worth a good try in corner or maybe at full.

[Bord na Mona man]

It is always worth experimenting this time of year.
There is a danger that you can do too much of it and learn nothing by sending out a chaotic line up.
However most of the changes are in the backline and we should have a cohesive enough forward line to do the job.

McManus at full back is a biggie.
He would definitely be the man to try and mark a Kieran Donaghy or Tommy Walsh. How he will cope with full forwards trying to drag him around the place and give him the slip is another matter?
Will he feel restricted having to mind the square when his natural inclination is to cover ground?

It is worth a look anyway. Offaly football needs committed leaders like McManus to show example to the next generation.
If his career can be prolonged by a few years with this move, then by all means give it a try.

In the long term, an Evans, Brady and McManus in a full back line would be vulnerable to lightning fast forwards though.

[Lone Shark]

In the long term, an Evans, Brady and McManus in a full back line would be vulnerable to lightning fast forwards though.

That would be a concern of mine too, however I would assume that pace will be added after some cobination of the above three plus Rafferty make two of the jerseys their own. The absence of Nigel Grennan this year leaves no real front runner for this role though - perhaps Ger Dunne or Gerry Grehan could be given an opportunity bearing in mind their decent form at under 21 last year?

[Bord na Mona man]

The absence of Nigel Grennan this year leaves no real front runner for this role though - perhaps Ger Dunne or Gerry Grehan could be given an opportunity bearing in mind their decent form at under 21 last year?

In recent times Offaly have tended to picked more central players in the corner back positions.
i.e. Scott Brady, Barry Mooney, Shane Sullivan, James Keane, Nigel Grennan etc. Ones who I don't believe are natural corner backs, but to be fair have made a good enough stab at the position.

These are more all round footballers than corner backs. If there was an All Ireland skills or point kicking competition for corner backs, Offaly would probably have the pick of them.

I think we should be trying to pick out more specialised players particularly for this position. Pure man markers and ball winners. Once they can hand the ball to a team mate, it doesn't really matter what other strings they have in their bow.

These would be players who don't necessarily stand out as headline grabbers in the club scene, but do a very effective (if often unseen) job. Most of the time the naked eye doesn't even realise that the corner back is doing a brilliant job in tying up his man. When the half forward looks up and sees no forward loose, we tend to attribute the extra solo he has to take, or the aimless kick for a point as bad decision making on his part.

I'd see no harm in Grehan or Dunne getting a run. I'd say Grehan has the sort of determination needed. I don't ever remember seeing Dunne play at corner back?

Maybe Stephen Egan of Tullamore or Declan Murphy of Rhode are players who may have potential.
There are probably 3 or 4 other players in the county who could do a very effective job for Offaly too.

[Lone Shark]

Couldn't agree more. It's hard to think of another county where lads like Barry Mooney (in particular - very skilled all round footballer, not really a marker though) would be asked to play in the corner. The problem here is that it takes a lot of knowledge to be able to identify that "corner back" type of footballer - everyone at our end of the county was screaming for Saran Butler to be given the nod for years, but it never got listened to and now he's down in Clare. Off the top of my head I'm not sure who other candidates are - Stephen Egan is probably a good call, while Jack Kilmurray had a great year for Rhode, he mightn't be among the youngest lads out there but I'd still be inclined to let him have a run or two.

I don't know if Ger Dunne has played that far back myself, but it was that same criterion - pure determination - that suggested to me that he'd give it a fair go. He definitely has the right attitude, and if a corner pack takes that kind of doggedness onto the field with him, he'll become a real nuisance to his opponent in most cases.

[redser]

Yes totally agree with LS in that the county lacks quality corner backs. For me the best two at present in the county consistently have been Egan of Tullamore and Kilmurray of Rhode. Question marks over Kilmurray on the county stage as i think he struggles to last the full game and i think thats why Rhode left him as the spare man in leinster final when he was slowing up. But he is without doubt the type of defender needed. Egan is good defender, very fast and good attitude.

I wouldnt be too keen on seeing Butler playing. I never thought he was much of a footballer even at club level. He certainly knows how to thread a thin line when it comes to fouling but i wouldnt rate him at all. Ger Dunne is one for maybe a year or two time. He could be a better forward if the truth be known. Ive seen him play in the backs and he isnt that tight a marker but he tries very hard and maybe thats what Offaly county teams are lacking. Grehan is a bit small for county level. you see the Dubs, the northern teams and Kerry have big tall players who can move. Thats what Offaly is lacking.

The question is who would you try. What would that Keenaghan lad from Ferbane be like as a defender, big strong mobile player who might be good at attacking the ball from corner back. Declan Murphy has also had a good year for Rhode. Joe Quinn of Clara has played some very good football in full back line but needes to be left there and given time to settle into the role with two other good solid players in full back line. Id like to see Keenaghan, Quinn, and Rafferty tried there. Rafferty has his critics but he still gives it his all and takes no crap on the field. Matt Mitchell could be tried there too but i dont no about his pace, he has plenty of football and reads the game well. Sean Casey also deserves a shot in full back line.

[Bord na Mona man]

I wouldnt be too keen on seeing Butler playing. I never thought he was much of a footballer even at club level. He certainly knows how to thread a thin line when it comes to fouling but i wouldnt rate him at all.

That is the trick, he doesn't need to be a footballer at all to be an effective back.
Francie Bellew gave same great displays fro Armagh where he never kicked the ball in the entire 70 minutes.
I don't remember him going on any jinking solo runs upfield either.
You don't even need to be the first cousin of a footballer to be a good corner or full back!

[Silken Thomas]

I wouldnt be too keen on seeing Butler playing. I never thought he was much of a footballer even at club level. He certainly knows how to thread a thin line when it comes to fouling but i wouldnt rate him at all.

That is the trick, he doesn't need to be a footballer at all to be an effective back.
Francie Bellew gave same great displays fro Armagh where he never kicked the ball in the entire 70 minutes.
I don't remember him going on any jinking solo runs upfield either.
You don't even need to be the first cousin of a footballer to be a good corner or full back!

And I never thought Saran Butler was a dirty player!

On the topic of dirty players with little football in them I would have to say I would be partial to a bit of Paul Heavin from Doon. A PhD in the dark arts.