Offaly vs Limerick All-Ireland SHC Qualifier Phase 2 10/7/10

[uibhfhailiabu]

Offaly team named. Big surprise to see Parlon playing..

Derek Molloy returns to the starting 15 after missing the replay against Galway with an ankle ligament injury. Cathal Parlon also comes in at corner forward.

Stephen Egan and Michael Verney are both out with shoulder injuries sustained in the replay against Galway, while Kevin Brady drops to the substitutes.

Daniel Currams is still suspended after his dismissal in the drawn game against Galway.

Offaly (SH v Limerick): James Dempsey; James Rigney, David Kenny, David Franks; Dylan Hayden, Paul Cleary, Derek Morkan; Brendan Murphy, Rory Hanniffy; Brian Carroll, Joe Brady, Derek Molloy; Shane Dooley, Joe Bergin, Cathal Parlon.

http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/2010/0 ... -july-7pm/

[kinnittyman]

I posted this on anfearrua so I'll throw it up here aswell.

The Offaly team was named last night and is:

James Dempsey

James Rigney
David Kenny
David Franks

Dylan Hayden
Paul Cleary
Del Morkam

Brendan Murphy
Rory Hannify

Brian Carroll
Joe Brady
Derek Molloy

Cathal Parlon
Joe Bergin
Shane Dooley

I'm shocked with the inclusion of Cathal Parlon. During the Galway replay he was brought on and had a terrible wide and botched a quick line ball to Shane Dooley because he was fixing his socks (although I subsequently he heard that he fancis himself as a line ball specialist and thought he could have scored it-Joe Canning he isn't!) It really smacks of a selection influenced by Pat McLoughney and it's disappointing not to see Odhran Kealey starting. We all know what Parlon can do and it's time to give someone else a chance.

Also there is a lot of changes just to facilitate Stephen Egan's absence. If we just brought in a corner back e.g. Stephen Wynne, James Rigney could have been left at 5, Dylan Hayden at 10 and Carroll at 13. Better balance with that. Down the road against Tipp Rigney would be more influential at wing back. At least our best midfield has now been picked.

[leinsterman]

i don't know why joe dooley has picked parlon ahead of Healion or Odhran Kealey, what has Kealey to do to get
a game he done well again antrim, for the short time he was on again Galway in the draw game he won the few balls
that came his way.

there seems to be alot of changes in the back line because stephen Egan is out i would have put Dylan Hayden into the half forward line
Kevin Brady to right half back where he done all his best hurling for offaly and Rigney to corner back.

anyway i think this team should be to strong for limerick and if we hurl with the same heart and will to win as we did again Galway
i think we will win bye 6 to 9 points UP THE FAITHFUL

[GreatDayForTheParish]

I'm shocked with the inclusion of Cathal Parlon. During the Galway replay he was brought on and had a terrible wide and botched a quick line ball to Shane Dooley because he was fixing his socks (although I subsequently he heard that he fancis himself as a line ball specialist and thought he could have scored it-Joe Canning he isn't!) It really smacks of a selection influenced by Pat McLoughney and it's disappointing not to see Odhran Kealey starting. We all know what Parlon can do and it's time to give someone else a chance

Well put, I'll second that.
Ger Healion also has a right to feel aggrieved.

Also there is a lot of changes just to facilitate Stephen Egan's absence. If we just brought in a corner back e.g. Stephen Wynne, James Rigney could have been left at 5, Dylan Hayden at 10 and Carroll at 13. Better balance with that. Down the road against Tipp Rigney would be more influential at wing back. At least our best midfield has now been picked.

It's madness playing Hayden in defence, he's not a natural wing back, even at club level never mind on the inter county stage. Consider how many times he has been played there compared to opportunities at wing forward, his best position. Again and again the same mistake, it actually defies belief.
Kevin Brady at wing back makes infinitely more sense.

Anywho, given this managements penchant for bamboozling opposing camps with dummy teams, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see Hanniffy start at wing back with Hayden at midfield. Which, to put it mildly would be a pretty poor decision. As the second half of the first game against Galway proved, Hanniffy's best posting by far is midfield.


Finally, I hope the management aren't rushing back any of those who were injured two weeks ago. T'would be a bad indictment of them were we to see any injuries aggravated further.

[Offaly2010]

Carroll sounds rallying call


10 July 2010


Offaly captain Brian Carroll believes that the Faithful's impressive performances against Galway will count for nothing, if they can't beat Limerick this evening.

The Leinster side take on the Shannonsiders in the qualifiers and they go into this match as strong favourites mainly due to their performances against the Tribesmen.

In both matches, Offaly had chances of causing a major surprise and defeating Galway, but the fell short on both occasions, although Carroll admits they have taken great confidence from the games.

"Those performances against Galway will stand for absolutely nothing if we don't perform again on Saturday,'' he said. "Offaly traditionally have been very good as underdogs but now we have to try and turn that on its head. Limerick are being written off, very harshly in my opinion - a lot of those boys would have been playing for Limerick anyway this year," said Carroll.

"Sure six or seven of them were there last year, the likes of Paul Browne, David Breen, Graeme Mulcahy - they're fine hurlers, and a few more have been knocking on the door for the last few years. Limerick will have 15 good hurlers going out on the field against us, and we won't be taking them lightly."

(taken from HS)

[uibhfhailiabu]

Well put, I'll second that.
Ger Healion also has a right to feel aggrieved.

It's madness playing Hayden in defence, he's not a natural wing back, even at club level never mind on the inter county stage. Consider how many times he has been played there compared to opportunities at wing forward, his best position. Again and again the same mistake, it actually defies belief.
Kevin Brady at wing back makes infinitely more sense.

Anywho, given this managements penchant for bamboozling opposing camps with dummy teams, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see Hanniffy start at wing back with Hayden at midfield. Which, to put it mildly would be a pretty poor decision. As the second half of the first game against Galway proved, Hanniffy's best posting by far is midfield.

Exactly, what has Ger Healion to do to get a start? Made a big impact when brought on in both games against Galway, especially the second game. If they were going to take the option of moving Hayden back, Healion could have easily been put in full forward with Joe Bergin in the corner.

But then obviously, as GDFTP pointed out, the best option would have been to play Kevin Brady at wing back which is more of a natural position to him than Hayden

[Kevin]

Offaly 1-19
Limerick 1-13

Final.

Mission accomplished.

[Offaly2010]

Offaly Hurlers March On With 6 Point Win
All-Ireland SHC Qualifier: Offaly 1-19, Limerick 1-13



Offaly hurlers progressed to the next stage of the All-Ireland Championship after four points in a row late in the second half finally killed off a whole-hearted Limerick challenge.



It was Offaly GAA’s second victory of the evening, with the footballers having ousted Waterford earlier.



Offaly would not have been complacent due to the fact that they only narrowly defeated Limerick at O’Connor Park in the National Hurling League this season. Even so, after their exertions against Galway, Offaly were slow into their stride.



Early goal chances by Joe Bergin did not result in a green flag, and it was 0-2 apiece in the 12th minute when Derek Molloy – now recovered from injury - fired to the net.



Cathal Parlon was impressive at corner forward with a couple of points from play and Shane Dooley was on the mark with frees.



Offaly, though, were pegged back with free-taker Thomas O’Brien chipping in with three frees and a ‘65’ for the visitors.



Gradually, Offaly improved and pulled six clear thanks to scores from Brendan Murphy and Derek Molloy. But Limerick got the last two points of the half to leave the score board reading 1-8 to 0-7.



Offaly enjoyed a slightly better start to the second half, with Brian Carroll (twice) and Shane Dooley (free) boosting Offaly’s chances. But Limerick didn’t lie down and Thomas O’Brien came up trumps again with three points, the third of which was from play. As a result, the score was 1-11 to 0-10 12 minutes into the second half.



Offaly looked in control when Brian Carroll, Shane Dooley (free), Joe Brady and Brendan Murphy left Joe Dooley’s men 1-15 to 0-11 in front.



But they failed to close out the game. Limerick hit 1-2 without reply with the ever dangerous Thomas O’Brien, by now at corner forward, slotting home a 59th minute goal.



With the score at 1-15 to 1-13 Offaly had to defend stoutly to prevent a shock Limerick lead. As it turned out, Offaly finished with a flourish as Cathal Parlon, Shane Dooley (free), Joe Bergin and Parlon again gave Offaly a 1-19 to 1-13 victory.



Offaly Scorers: Derek Molloy 1-2; Cathal Parlon and Shane Dooley (frees) 0-5 each; Brian Carroll 0-3; Brendan Murphy 0-2; Joe Brady and Joe Bergin 0-1 each.

Limerick Scorers: Thomas O’Brien (0-5 f, 0-1 ‘65’) 1-7; James V. O’Brien 0-2; Graeme Mulcahy, Nicky Quaid, Cathal Mullane and Peter Russell 0-1 each.

Offaly: James Dempsey; David Franks, Paul Cleary, James Rigney; Rory Hanniffy, David Kenny, Derek Morkan; Brendan Murphy, Dylan Hayden; Brian Carroll, Joe Brady, Derek Molloy; Cathal Parlon, Joe Bergin, Shane Dooley.

Subs: Kevin Brady for Hayden; Ger Healion for Molloy.

Limerick: Tadhg Flynn; Shane O’Neill, Cian Hayes, Kieran O’Rourke; Lorcan O’Dwyer, Bryan O’Sullivan, Paul Browne; Thomas O’Brien, Daniel Moore; James O’Brien, James V. O’Brien, Nicky Quaid; Richard McKeogh, Anthony Owens, Graeme Mulcahy.

Subs: Cathal Mullane for Moore; Andrew Brennan for James O’Brien; Michael Noonan for McKeogh.

(taken from Offaly gaa site)

[Offaly2010]

Good win lads,should have won by more but a win is a win at the end of the day. Hopefully we are drawn at home against Tipp and footballers get another home draw and we have another double header in OCP next Saturday.

BRING ON TIPP

[the bare biffo]

Thanfully the darkness has lifted, well done. Roll on Tipp.

[Georgio1]

Well done lads, 1 point win would have done on evening like that.
First of all well done to Parlon, worked hard when others were not interested and 5 points was an excellent return. Shane Dooley for one was awful. But no harm, will have brought all back down to earth. Also Rory Hanniffy was excellent at centre back, and Rigney must be pushing for All Star nomination, (a Brian Whelehan hook in the first few minutes was vital). Cleary also was solid at full back.Molloy had a great first half but disappeared in the second. Carroll worked hard all through.

Lot of heads to be sorted for next week. We can win, but will need to make all chances pay, and half forward needs to keep their shape. Joe Bergin continues to amaze me, loads of ability but continues to miss vital chances.

Still great preparation for the Tipp game, they do not know if their changes for the WEx game have plugged the gaps.
With right atitude and good support we can do it. I wonder would Thurles nearly suit us better? We just dont hurl consistently in Tullamore?

[Bord na Mona man]

You didn't need to be a clairvoyant to call how this one would go. I'm just glad Offaly weren't stung for a couple of freak goals late on.
Offaly were able to lift their game for a few minutes and reel off the last few points when Limerick got it back to two. That suggests Offaly could have won handsomely had they been fully focussed.

It was a good move to pick Parlon, if he was picked on the basis that he always give it 100%.A few of the other lads were a bit casual, but they'll be back in the groove next week for Tipp....Hopefully!

[GreatDayForTheParish]

That was too close for comfort. Surprising? No. Frustrating? Immensely.

In many ways it was like the league encounter between the two teams, the only difference this time being Offaly tagging on three late points in injury time to close out the game.

The positives are few but Cathal Parlon was one. All effort, he topped it off some nice scores, albeit with a few wides thrown in. Doubted by many, myself included, he can be very happy with his days work.

The half forward line was cleaned, utterly cleaned, for periods in that second half. The Offaly response to the breaking ball was too slow, drastic improvement will be needed for next week.
The wides, ah the wides. No such thing as a good one but some of last night's were criminal. How many were shot by Offaly, 20? That makes two games in a row now where the wide count has been unacceptable. A continuation will not suffice next week.


That said, my main issue from last night is with the management.
Firstly, starting the game with Kenny at wing back and Hanniffy centre was utterly nonsensical. David Kenny is a brilliant centre back, the best in Offaly by a long long way - Belmont remain Senior largely due to his efforts. That's his station so starting him wing back (a position he's not comfortable with) on that basis alone is illogical, even less so when it's to accomodate Rory Hanniffy. It really is beyond belief, they start Rory centre back on the basis of 20 odd minutes in Portlaoise but yet ignore the second half in Croke Park when he was immense in midfield (along with years of hurling well there). Ridiculous, just ridiculous.

It matters not that Hanniffy played ok, that's not the point. However well he played, Kenny would have been better in that positon. In addition you're not getting the most out of your best players. For example, imagine Galway played Joe Canning at centre back. He'd undoubtedly be brilliant there but at whot cost, at what loss elsewhere? The same applies to Hannify's loss from midfield, the link he provides between protecting his half back line and initiating attacks.
With last night's injuries, Kenny centre, Brady wing and Rory midfield would have made infinite more sense.

In general, I'm a firm believer in the maxim 'Best Players in Best Positions'. For me thats a half back line of Rigney, Kenny, Del with a midfield of Hanniffy and Murphy. Win that sector, which those players would, and you build the team from there.

Also did anybody else feel they were a bit trigger happy with shifting lads around in the midfield and forwards? Joe Bergin started well last night, the two goal chances he missed were the result of a Limerick player on each occasion throwing themselves in front of the ball. That happens, and nine times out of ten either if not both of those shots go in. He also squared the ball sweetly for Molloy to finish to the net for Offaly's first goal. Despite that, he's shifted out to wing forward with Molloy heading inside. Decision reversed at the start of the second half. Carroll at one stage or another covered every positon on the half forward line and midfield while Shane Dooley also yo-yo'ed between the half and full forward lines. Confused? I was.

[bracknaghboy]

I wonder would Thurles nearly suit us better? We just dont hurl consistently in Tullamore?

Phase 3 games are at neutral venues. Offaly play Tipp in Portlaoise next saturday night.

[turk]

This match was poor enough!! There doesn't need to be a lot more said about it really, by me. I think we are a bit thin and watery. Lads can seem to play badly throughout long periods, and no subs are introduced. I don't think this sends a good message to the first team players or the subs. Can you imagine Brian Cody putting up with it and not making changes? I know we are not Kilkenny, but that is the direction we need to go. Get it right first time and every time.


Limerick have their problems and if they had maybe 5-6 of their 09 squad players back they would have won. When we got the goal we should have just sewed it into them from there. This has always been a problem for Offaly. Joe seemed to be happy to get the win, which is good to get but we have to have our targets and aim for them. It seems to be a case of "shur it didn't really work last time but we'll try it again and shur see what happens".

One final note - the recording of Amhrán na bhFiann played at O'Connor Park - it sound like something that was downladed from www.freemidiringtones.com (I made that up but it probably is a real site). Sort it out!! Get someone to sing it. I'll sing it myself if I have to!!

Onwards and upwards