Offaly vs. Tipperary NHL Round 7 (18/04/2010)

[Bord na Mona man]

Liam Sheedy culls six from Tipp panel

Tuesday, 13 April 2010 11:16

Tipperary hurling manager Liam Sheedy has wielded the axe by dropping six players from the panel ahead of the championship opener against Cork on 30 May.

2009 captain Willie Ryan is one of the sextet as Sheedy fine tunes his preparations for the summer, starting with the League match against Offaly this weekend.

2005 All Star nominee Micheál Webster has also been dropped from the Premier County squad, along with John Devane, experienced defender Diarmuid Fitzgerald, Pa Bourke and Tom Stapleton.

Webster and Ryan had hoped to push for attacking places.

Bourke and Stapleton were both members of the 2006 Tipperary All-Ireland MHC winning team, which was managed by Sheedy.

[leinsterman]

Offaly Team for Tipperary match

1.James Dempsey
2.Mick Verney
3.Paul Cleary
4.Stephen Egan
5.Dylan Hayden
6.David Kenny
7.Derek Morkan
8.Rory Hanniffy
9.Shane Kelly
10.Daniel Currams
11Joe Brady
12.Derek Molloy
13.Cathal Parlon
14. Joe Bergin
15.Shane Dooley

Its good to see Stephen Egan back on the county team, also his club mate Shane Kelly getting a run out as well .
I still think Dylan Hayden should have got a run in the half forward line. Paul Cleary at full back and kenny at centre back
are in their right places now.

I wonder will tipp put out a strong team on sunday, with Paul Kelly out for a while and nothing to play for on sunday
i think Liam Sheedy will put out a young side. won't want to lose anymore player's before the big one with cork.

[Plain of the Herbs]

An interesting lineout, where Stephen Egan gets to make a deserved first NHL start. Shane Kelly too gets a chance to impress. Statistically one is more likely to make a NHL debut in either the first or last round of the league, but not in the middle rounds.

Will be interesting to see how the full back line of Verney, Cleary and Egan get on against the Tipperary full forward line. David Franks, James Rigney, Ger Oakley (again!), Conor Mahon and Brian Carroll are notable absentees. Watch out for who’ll be captain – the Offaly captain is the one who was vice-captain the previous year, so whoever goes up for the toss on Sunday will likely be the captain next year.

Joe Brady is back at centre half forward. It’s a move I’ve been thinking needs to be made. Still no place for Kevin Brady though, which is a concern. Put it this way, if Offaly and Galway justify favouritism in their opening round matches and they meet each other in Croke in June – who’d be the best candidate to mark the in-form Ger Farragher? If the options are a) Dylan Hayden, b) James Rigney, c) Kevin Brady then my money would be on Brady.

Of course it’s a glorified challenge match except – Tipperary don’t do challenge matches, not against Offaly at any rate. I recall they couldn’t beat Offaly by enough at Shinrone’s Official Opening last year.

Offaly (NHL v Tipperary): James Dempsey; Michael Verney, Paul Cleary, Stephen Egan; Dylan Hayden, David Kenny, Derek Morkan; Rory Hanniffy and Shane Kelly; Daniel Currams, Joe Brady, Derek Molloy; Cathal Parlon, Joe Bergin and Shane Dooley.

Tipperary have named just seven of their All-Ireland team, including the full-back line en masse, Conor O’Mahony at centre back, Shane McGrath at midfield and Seamus Callanan and Eoin Kelly in the forwards. I suppose if they get into bother they can spring Benny Dunne!

Tipperary (NHL v Offaly): Darren Gleeson; Paddy Stapleton, Padraic Maher, Paul Curran; David Young, Conor O’Mahony, Michael Cahill; Hugh Maloney and Shane McGrath; Seamus Hennessy, Seamus Callanan, Jody Brennan; Eoin Kelly, Darragh Egan and Michael Heffernan.

[Bord na Mona man]

Joe Brady is back at centre half forward. It’s a move I’ve been thinking needs to be made. Still no place for Kevin Brady though, which is a concern. Put it this way, if Offaly and Galway justify favouritism in their opening round matches and they meet each other in Croke in June – who’d be the best candidate to mark the in-form Ger Farragher? If the options are a) Dylan Hayden, b) James Rigney, c) Kevin Brady then my money would be on Brady.

I not sure about Hayden as a wing back at inter county level. Will he win enough primary possession against decent forwards?

[leinsterman]

Plain of the Herbs your right tipp don't do challenge game's. I remember John McIntyre first league game in 1996 in nenagh it was
the opening of Nenagh's new stand that day i think. well the abuse they gave McIntyre that day was unreal they went mad in the stand
after offaly beating them they are a sore crowd. and yes i remember Shinrone last year.

As you said there's still no place for Kevin Brady, but i think he is not going to be on the team come championship time
when you see Joe Dooley picking him at centre forward for the Dublin and Galway game's it doesn't look good for him.
Kevin Brady is a half back and a good one if he can't make it there there is no where else for him. he is not a midfielder
or a forward so it's unfair to play the man there. As for Joe Brady he is better coming on in the second half of game's
like the Dublin and Galway matche's.

Just as i though tipp put out a young side, we have a bad record again tipp the league semil-final win in 1991 and the win
in Birr 1995 and in Nenagh 96 and we beat them in Birr in 2004 i think thats about it. offaly would get it hard to beat a bad
tipp side.

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Still no place for Kevin Brady though, which is a concern. Put it this way, if Offaly and Galway justify favouritism in their opening round matches and they meet each other in Croke in June – who’d be the best candidate to mark the in-form Ger Farragher? If the options are a) Dylan Hayden, b) James Rigney, c) Kevin Brady then my money would be on Brady.

Kevin Brady is a good hurler but he reminds me of Leinsters upcoming opponents in the Heineken Cup - "Too-loose". Ger farragher would have a field day with his long range shooting ability. Brendan Murphy would still have to be favourite for this position when fit again. Does anyone know his status? Although out of any offaly midfield pairing against Galway I would prefer to see Rory Hanniffy pick up Farragher.

P.s. - Apologies for the foreign sport reference on this most sacred of Gaa Boards!

[Bord na Mona man]

Knocknagow's Tipp v Offaly Preview on premierview.ie

Offaly v Tipp (18 04 2010)

Offaly and Tipp return to League action on Sunday with the last game of the group stages at 2.30 in O’Connor Park Tullamore on Sunday. The ref is James Owens of Wexford. The last meeting between the sides was in 2008 in Thurles. Offaly with Molloy and Murray goaling were 0-14 to 2-5 behind at the break. Tipp with goals from Eoin Kelly and Kerwick closed out the game in the last quarter to win by 2-25 to 2-8, (Offaly did not score for the last 27 minutes). The second last league meeting between the sides was the 2006 League Quarter Final also played in Thurles. Tipp got off to the better start with Eoin Kelly and Webster goaling in the first half for Tipp to lead 2-7 to 1-8 at the break. 2 Offaly goals, 1 from Brendan Carroll, levelled the game with 10 minutes to go. However late Tipp points from Webster, John O’Brien and Ken Dunne sealed a Tipp win 2-21 to 3-14. The last game in Birr saw Offaly win in the opening game of the 2004 league when a late Rory Hannify goal led to a 1-15 to 0-17.

Offaly, newly promoted from Division 2, played Cork in the opening round and went down by 1-22 to 1-11. They were well in the game but faded in the second half being too reliant on Shane Dooley’s place balls who scored 1-8. In the next round they lost 1-17 to 0-12 to Kilkenny. Kilkenny only led 10 to 7 at the break but a second half goal from Aidan Fogarty sealed their fate with Shane Dooley again top scorer with 9 points. They got an important victory in the next round with a 3-19 to 1-18 win over Dublin. First half goals from Joe Bergin and Dooley put the sides in level 2-9 to 1-12, however a second half Dooley goal, (2-10 in total), saw them power further away and win by 7. In Round 4 they lost 1-22 to 1-18 to Galway. Bergin and Dooley with 4 points as well as Brady 1-1 were top scorers in a game that Galway always comfortable. In Round 5 they faced Limerick and barely hung on for a 1 point win; 2-17 to 3-13. Offaly were 7 points clear with 13 minutes left. Offaly with goals from Ger Healion looked in control but had to survive a late Limerick charge. Shane Dooley with 10 points was again their top scorer with a win that guaranteed their top flight status for next year. In Round 5 they played Waterford and lost 1-19 to 1-16. Offaly were 1 down at the break and looked in trouble when Dan Shanahan goaled but an Offaly goal from Shane Dooley that put them ahead however Waterford got the last few scores to win. Top scorer for Offaly was Shane Dooley with 1-10.

Going into this game Offaly are in 6th place with 4 League points and Tipp are in 4th place with 7 points. Neither team can be relegated or get to the League Final so it appears that there will be nothing to play for. However both sides will be using this game to prepare for the Championship. Saying that Liam Sheedy will be using this game as a final trial for both team and panel places ahead of Tipp’s week long “warm weather” training camp in Portugal. Of his 3 years over Tipp this is the first time that he has not qualified for the League Final. Given the vast amount of injuries that Tipp had before and picked up during the Cork game and also with most players playing with their clubs Sheedy is sure to go with a much changed line up.

It has been reported in the papers during the week that the panel has been cut by 6 players to 29 with the following players dropped: Michael Webster, Willie Ryan, Pa Bourke, Tom Stepleton, John Devane and Diarmaid Fitzgerald. Given that both Willie Ryan, (last years captain), and Pa Bourke have not played during this years League through injury and illness it is no surprise that either of them are dropped as they have fallen behind Jody Brennan and Timmy Hammersley in the forwards pecking order. Although given how young Pa Bourke is I am sure he will have further opportunities to force his way back into the Senior picture. With Hugh Moloney seemingly the first choice as “wing back attempted to be turned into a centre forward” it was always likely that John Devane would be dropped. Of the 2 back men dropped Diarmaid Fitzgerald’s form has nose dived with injury and illness and he has rarely reclaimed the heights of form that saw him start the 2004 Munster Semi-Final as centre back at 21, and a less than impressive spell at full forward when Babs was in charge signalled his demotion in the pecking order. The excellent form of Michael Cahill has seen his chances of getting game time reduced further. Of the 6 dropped the 2 that I am most surprised with are Michael Webster and Thomas Stapleton. While Webster’s hurling is limited he causes problems for full backs, keeps them occupied, and never shirks a challenge. He is also an option for the high ball into the full forward line. I am also surprised that Thomas Stapleton is dropped. There are very few specialist centre backs on the Tipp team with Conor O’Mahony and Paudie Maher the only 2 to play there this year in the League. I know that Hugh Moloney and Hennessy have played there for their clubs and at underage for Tipp but an injury to Conor O’Mahony could mean some serious moving around of players to get a solution. Both Benny Dunne and Darragh Egan are lucky to be still on the panel.

On the injury front some good and bad news. Seamus Callanan came off the bench and scored a goal for Drom at the weekend. There was bad news with Paul Kelly breaking his ankle for Mullinahone and being ruled out for a number of months. Further bad news for Liam Sheedy came with Gearoid Ryan breaking a finger while playing with Templederry although it is hoped he will be back for the Cork game. While the panel is down to 31, the available players at the moment is only 26 with John O’Neill and James Woodlock both out as long term injuries; Paul Kelly and Gearoid Ryan out with recent injuries and unfortunately for Pat Kerwick this game coming a few weeks too early for him.

Darren Gleeson.

Paddy Stapleton, Padraic Maher and Paul Curran.

David Young, Conor O’Mahony and Michael Cahill.

Hugh Moloney and Shane McGrath.

Seamus Hennessy, Seamus Callanan and Jody Brennan.

Eoin Kelly, Darragh Egan and Michael Heffernan.

The team shows 9 changes from the side that lost to Cork. With Ballybacon playing championship on Sunday evening in comes Darren Gleeson. In the full back line Paul Curran comes back in with Conor O’Brien losing out. In the half back line David Young comes in for Declan Fanning with Michael Cahill switching to wing back. Conor O’Mahony surprisingly is picked as Newport are playing Championship on Saturday evening and his knee has been heavily strapped for the past 2 League games.. In midfield Hugh Moloney partners Shane McGrath with Brendan Maher dropping out. In the half forward line; Gearoid Ryan is out injured, with Lar and Noel McGrath dropping to the bench; in come Seamus Hennessy, Seamus Callanan and Jody Brennan, (after injury). In the full forward line Paul Kelly is out injured and Timmy Hammersley is on the bench, (Clonoulty are down to play Championship on Sunday evening), so in come Darragh Egan, first start of the year, and Michael Heffernan for his first ever start.

I must admit that I am surprised that Tipp have picked such a strong team given the recent injuries and how heavily strapped a lot of them were in the Cork game and I would not be surprised if there were a few more changes before throw in. The full back line is as strong as we have, although Shane Dooley may cause Padraic Maher a bit of bother. I’m surprised that Shane Maher and Bonner Maher did not start. A new half forward line gets a chance to impress. Jody Brennan impressed off the bench and now gets a chance from the throw in. Hennessey needs a consistent 70 minutes and both he and Brennan know that there is s starting jersey there if they impress. There is a welcome return for Callanan who despite all the criticism of him, (totally unwarranted), is still the best option at centre forward for Tipp. After scoring a good point against Cork and with Webster off, Darragh Egan has to step up to the plate and deliver the goods on Sunday. Nenagh’s Heffernan get his first chance to start in the corner and given the weather conditions this game could suit him.

How do I see this game going? Given that Liam Sheedy is likely to trim the panel of probably 5-6 players whoever starts on Sunday will not be slacking off. Also this will be Tipp’s last competitive game until the 30th May. Sheedy will be looking for a strong defensive performance, especially on Shane Dooley, few frees conceded and the forwards taking the opportunities that present themselves. Despite the weakened side Tipp have picked I still think they will have too much for Offaly so Tipp to win by 4 points.

[leinsterman]

jesus we threw that away today to sick to say to much about it. same problem again die in the last quater.
the back's we great again Hayden.Kenny, Cleary were very good as was jame's dempsey in the goal.

Roll on the 30th may now again antrim, if this offaly team can put in a full 70 minute's in the championship they won't
be far away from getting to the leinster hurling final this year.

[bracknaghboy]

if this offaly team can put in a full 70 minute's in the championship they won't
be far away from getting to the leinster hurling final this year.

This is the problem, they are having serious difficulty putting 70 mins together. They won't be able to flick the switch and start playing for 70 mins come championship time. An almost identical fadeout today as the Waterford game last day out. It must at this stage be starting to mess with the heads of the players? I've just seen the Dublin/Limerick result (Dubs won by 31 points) and it worries me that all other teams in D1 hammered limerick but we hung on to a 1 point victory against them. Not sure what to make of it all anymore.....Well thats the end of the league and its been great to retain D1 status but we are falling short against the big guns due to the mysterious fadeouts and my gut tells me the lads will beat Antrim well but won't be able to stay with Galway in the Leinster semi (a game due to take place in Croke Park).

[Bord na Mona man]

Callanan's last-gasp blow floors Offaly resistance
Tipperary 1-18
Offaly 2-14

Monday April 19 2010

Tipperary snatched a dramatic victory over Offaly when Seamus Callanan fired a low free to the net three minutes into injury time in their Division 1 tie in Tullamore.

A good second-half comeback by Offaly looked like securing the league points for the home side but, with the last puck of the game, Callanan fired his shot through a crowd of players in the Offaly goalmouth and into the net to give Tipp victory by the narrowest of margins.

It was cruel luck on Offaly, who had dominated much of the second half. Two goals from Shane Dooley midway through the half gave them a five-point advantage but they failed to score in the final 16 minutes. Some great defensive work kept Tipp out until that late free proved decisive for the visitors.

There was nothing at stake in the league for either side and that was evident for much of the opening period, which lacked the real competitive edge normally seen at this time of the year. The excitement levels did grow in the second half as Offaly made their fightback but the home side's hopes of victory came up just short.

There was little between the sides in the opening half hour when they were level on a couple of occasions. Tipp held a slight edge and when they scored four points in the final six minutes of the half, they went in leading by 0-11 to 0-7 at half-time.

They stretched their lead to five points early in the second half and Offaly had a fight on their hands. It was 0-15 to 0-11 after 12 minutes of the half but then Offaly began to get a grip and three points in a row left just one between them.

Offaly hit the front after 17 minutes when Shane Dooley took a pass from Joe Bergin to finish to the net and two minutes later he repeated the feat and Offaly were five points up.

The defence did well to restrict Tipp to two points from frees and one from sub Pat Kerwick over the remaining 16 minutes but then right at the death Callanan stepped up to fire home the winner for Tipp.

Both managers might have injury worries ahead of their championship games in six weeks' time as Tipperary's Eoin Kelly, David Young and Darragh Egan, and Offaly's Stephen Egan and Daniel Currams all went off injured during the game.

Scorers -- Tipperary: E Kelly 0-7 (0-3f, 0-1 pen, 0-1 '65), S Callanan 1-2f, S McGrath, S Hennessy 0-2 each, M Hefferan, Padraic Maher, J Brennan, D Egan, P Kerwick 0-1 each. Offaly: S Dooley 2-6 (0-3f, 0-1 '65), D Currams, J Bergin 0-2 each, C Parlon, R Hanniffy, B Carroll, S Kelly 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY -- D Gleeson; P Stapleton, P Curran, M Cahill; D Young, C O'Mahony, Padraic Maher; H Maloney, S McGrath; S Hennessy, S Callanan, M Heffernan; E Kelly, J Brennan, D Egan. Subs: Patrick Maher for Kelly (42), S Maher for O'Mahony (44 ), B Maher for Young (51), J O'Brien for Heffernan (56), P Kerwick for Egan (63).

OFFALY -- J Dempsey; S Egan, P Cleary, M Verney; D Hayden, D Kenny, D Morkan; R Hanniffy, S Kelly; D Molloy, J Brady, D Currams; C Parlon, J Bergin, S Dooley. Subs: J Rigney for Egan (11), C Mahon for Currams (22), B Carroll for Parlon (43), G Oakley for Molloy (68).

REF -- J Owens (Wexford).

[Bord na Mona man]

A disappointing way to lose the game - last puck of the day, however Offaly can be generally happy with their performance.

It was disappointing that Offaly were unable to close the game out. They hit the front by five points with to quickfire goals midway through the second half, but didn't score after that. Once Eoin Kelly was taken off Tipp didn't look like reeling in the deficit and were always going to need to work a goal.

The Offaly defence performed well. Cleary at full back and Kenny at centre back looks like a really good defensive spine. Having been second best early on, Offaly did well to get on top at midfield and in the half forward line. Though Tipp did take off two of the half backs early in the second half, which may have helped. The two goals were well taken by Shane Dooley, with the Tipp full back line in chaos for a few minutes.

Perhaps a bit more cuteness would have seen Offaly keep the scoreboard ticking over after that. For the last few minutes, Offaly started doing a lot of bunching, soloing and handpassing when they went on the attack. Had they kept their shape a bit better, they should have been able to create space for themselves to shoot.

Joe Bergin and Daniel Currams all showed up well at times in the forwards - Currams was unfortunate to go off with a hand injury. Joe Brady worked hard and laid on a couple of nice scores with good handpasses.

Overall, Offaly have shown improvement as the league has progressed. Learning how to close out games like this will come with experience. For the last few years Offaly have either been winning easily against Division 2 teams, or losing to Division 1 teams.

[leinsterman]

Joe Brady is back at centre half forward. It’s a move I’ve been thinking needs to be made. Still no place for Kevin Brady though, which is a concern. Put it this way, if Offaly and Galway justify favouritism in their opening round matches and they meet each other in Croke in June – who’d be the best candidate to mark the in-form Ger Farragher? If the options are a) Dylan Hayden, b) James Rigney, c) Kevin Brady then my money would be on Brady.

I not sure about Hayden as a wing back at inter county level. Will he win enough primary possession against decent forwards?

i think hayden gave you your answer he is one of the best striker's of the ball on the offaly team.
still think he would do good job on the half forward line, he was very good yesterday

[Bord na Mona man]

Joe Brady is back at centre half forward. It’s a move I’ve been thinking needs to be made. Still no place for Kevin Brady though, which is a concern. Put it this way, if Offaly and Galway justify favouritism in their opening round matches and they meet each other in Croke in June – who’d be the best candidate to mark the in-form Ger Farragher? If the options are a) Dylan Hayden, b) James Rigney, c) Kevin Brady then my money would be on Brady.

I not sure about Hayden as a wing back at inter county level. Will he win enough primary possession against decent forwards?

i think hayden gave you your answer he is one of the best striker's of the ball on the offaly team.
still think he would do good job on the half forward line, he was very good yesterday

Striking the ball is one thing, winning it in the first place is another matter. I'd still wonder how Hayden would compete against a decent aerial target man?
I'd have no worries about his ability to gather up loose ball and clear it, but with some inter county half forwards you have to stop them catching ball at all costs.

Again, I don't know what the answer is, I just put it out there as a query.

[Pot Noodle]

Joe Dooley quote when asked after the match if he could put his finger on why this group of Offaly players consistently fail to close out games such as yesterday's:

"Well I thought we finished it out fairly well to be honest with you."

This after Offaly failed to score for last 18 minutes including injury time after Shane Dooley's second goal.

[Plain of the Herbs]

While disappointing to lose in that manner yesterday, the Offaly graph is moving in the right direction. I’d say management have a clear idea about twelve of the positions for Parnell Park, though a good number of hurlers have seen some decent game time against top opposition recently.

The hurler wearing the white helmet who did all that hurling in the half back line was David Kenny. Kenny demonstrated yesterday why he is the best candidate for the troublesome number 6 slot. See page 7 of the most recent issue of sliotar magazine on this.

Good performances by Verney and Cleary in the full back line and by a hungry James Rigney who made his stamp on the game when introduced for the unfortunate Stephen Egan early on. Derek Morkan continues to blossom and James Dempsey has taken another step to earning the gold number one jersey in Parnell Park.

Rory Hanniffy was classy as usual while Shane Kelly grew into the game and had a fine second half. Joseph Bergin came into it when moved to centre half forward and continued in that vein when restored to the full line for the restart. Joe Brady too came into it when he moved in the opposite direction. Brian Carroll too showed a good attitude when introduced and Shane Dooley has had a good league campaign. His partnership with Bergin has potential to cause some damage. Conor Mahon too had a decent match and up front only Derek Molloy never really got into it.

The worry, as usual, is that Offaly struggled to win ‘phase 1’ possession and took many of their scored from broken play. The standout were two plays which were worked upfield from the Offaly end-line, going through about five hands before being pointed.

I heard Joe Dooley interviewed on Radio3 both on Saturday and Sunday evening. Seems David Franks has picked up a hamstring injury. Odhran Kealey still has a hamstring injury (remember he first pulled up in the Walsh Cup versus DIT College), Fergal Daly recently broke a collar bone while Brendan Murphy has only recently resumed light training. On Sunday evening Dooley was asked if the way was open for Diarmuid Horan to return. He mumbled something incoherent – if anyone knows what he said they might share it with us.

Tipperary couldn’t be happy with that at all. They had plenty of time to claw back their four point deficit point-by-pointbut hadn't the composure to do so and needed a goal with the last puck to clinch it. With eight players on trial it looks like they plan to field as near as possible to their All-Ireland XV against Cork. They won’t have found anything among their trialists, not yesterday at any rate, so it looks like Benny Dunne remains first choice impact sub!