2018 NHL

[kaiserchief]

Cant wait for Sunday now. First time I'm looking forward to a Offaly hurling game in a long time.

Pity it's not in Birr Boy we would have a great crowd

Heard's Kearns are doing a special to O'Connor map. You won't need your google maps or passport.

[Bord na Mona man]

This is all set up to be another let down for the programme flinging brigade!

[SearingDrive]

Big test on Sunday. Can last week's good form continue, or will Limerick upset the apple cart?

[Kevin]

Big test on Sunday. Can last week's good form continue, or will Limerick upset the apple cart?

Pity it's not in Birr Boy we would have a great crowd

This outfit will be stronger, but it will be good to see how we do playing the 'non damage control game' here.

Limerick have been warned so they will be ready, but no harm there. The teams stand in each other's road to progress.

On paper it's a game worth watching.

Good luck to the team and all involved.

COME ON OFFALY!!!!

[Plain of the Herbs]

A few thoughts on Sunday: -

Last Saturday was glorious. No one doubts that. The media attention will bring an additional pressure. But it’s a welcome pressure. Better have that pressure than have the pressure that negativity brings. The freshness and the positivity of the hurling was, for me, the most pleasing.

Limerick will be a step up in standard and it will be interesting to see how Offaly cope. Limerick certainly are forearmed now. But that’s okay. That’s hurling. Still, you'd like to see Offaly break the habit of old by adding consistency to their armour.

Limerick will have had quite a few hurling Fitzgibbon during the week. Offaly really only had Oisín Kelly and Eoghan Cahill. And the latter hurled in goal for Mary I yesterday. Which, with the league now played at this time of year, is a plus for Offaly. Albeit a short term one.

You’d expect Offaly to start the same team. A few things need to be tidied up. A few Offaly lads were beaten for pace, got turned and burned too easily. Dublin’s goal should have been cut out much further out the field. And the space afforded to Offaly around the middle third will not be afforded by Limerick. But that’s okay too. That’s part of the challenge.

Offaly will have to be just as competitive in the rucks, scrums and contests as they were in Croke Park. And if they are, well, anything is possible.

Sunday is promised dry. A day for the terrace. And remember you can get your ticket on tickets.ie, or in a Centra or SuperValu for €12 if you buy before midnight Saturday night. Otherwise, it will cost you €15 at the venue.

Best wishes to all involved.

[Killeighman]

Do we expect many changes to the team for Sunday? I’d start the same that started against Dublin barring injuries of course. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Shane Dooley start instead of Bergin but can’t imagine much more than that. Aaron Gillane is a lovely hurler and is a massive threat from play and places balls. I think Paddy Delaney must track him, Paddy is a very sticky hurler who is an out and out corner back and perhaps that’s the way it may go. Maybe paddy won’t even get a start. The team will be announced tonight or in the morning so let’s see!!

[DoingUntold]

Kevin Martin, Damien Fox, Aidan Hanrahan and Cathal Murphy have selected their Offaly Panel to play Limerick in the 2nd Round of the Allianz National Hurling League on Sunday 4th Feb at 2pm in Bord na Mona O'Connor Park.

1. Conor Slevin (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
2. Tom Spain (Brosna Gaels)
3. Sean Gardiner (Lusmagh)
4. Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's)
5. David O'Toole (Shamrocks)
6. Pat Camon (St Rynagh's)
7. Dermot Shortt (St Rynagh's)
8. David King (Coolderry)
9. Shane Kinsella (Kinnitty)
10. Damien Egan (Belmont)
11. Colin Egan (Belmont)
12. Dan Currams (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
13. Joe Bergin (Seir Kieran)
14. Conor Mahon (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
15. Oisin Kelly (Belmont)

16. Conor Clancy (St. Rynagh's)
17. Shane Dooley (Tullamore)
18. Paddy Delaney (Kinnitty)
19. Colm Gath (Drumcullen)
20. Dan Doughan (Shinrone)
21. Jordan Quinn (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
22. Paddy Rigney (Kinnitty)
23. Tommy Geraghty(Kilcormac/Killoughey)
24. Liam Langton (Clodiagh Gaels)
25. Cillian Kiely (Kilcormac/Killoughey)
26. Ciaran Cleary (Shinrone)

[greenairfield]

Disappointed with the team selection it's early in the year....We need our best team out in June he should be using these games to see more lads.

[private joker]

This is the summer for Offaly. if they are to win games it in the next few weeks. Come championshiop , Offaly will not be in the top 4 in Leinster of KK, Galway, Wexford or Dublin.

[frankthetank]

Disappointed with the team selection it's early in the year....We need our best team out in June he should be using these games to see more lads.

The only reason you’re disappointed with it is because there’s no-one from Birr on it.

Just come out and say it.

[greenairfield]

No frank Eoghan Cahill is the only one available while I would like to see him the goals there is a host of other players I would like to see given a chance you eejet.

It's the league we should be looking at more players!!

It's not kaiserchief your talking too.

[kaiserchief]

What are you on about greenairfield. Don't know why I got the special mention.

I agree with frankthetank.. not the best team cause no birr on the 15. Wonder what's your best team

For me this is the best team available to Martin for this game. Based purely on the list of players available and the game against Dublin.

Would like to see Cahill get some time in the sticks during the league but it looks like Slevin will be the number one.

I like that Martin made a change at wing back. Taught Paddy Delaney was poor against Dublin and out of his depth. Taught he would have went with Dooley over Bergin.

Greenairfield i hope you make it over to the other side safely tomorrow or are ya still on the hurling back to birr protest..

Looking forward to the game tomorro. Expect conditions and referee to be poor. Hopefully we get a good start, with a full hearted performance.

[Plain of the Herbs]

To their credit, this week's Birr GAA Club notes include "Get over to O'Connor Park and support the lads #uibhfhailíabú"

[Keyser Soze]

What are you on about greenairfield. Don't know why I got the special mention.

I agree with frankthetank.. not the best team cause no birr on the 15. Wonder what's your best team

I was talking to him over a pint earlier there. His best team is

1. Brian Mullins

2. Gary Cahill
3. Paul Cleary
4. Mick Verney

5. Brian Whelehan
6. Joe Errity
7. Niall Claffey

8. Barry Whelehan
9. Johnny Pilkington

10. Paddy Kirwan
11. Daithi Reagan
12. Rory Hanniffy

13. Eoghan Cahill
14. Declan Pilkington
15. Simon Whelehan

[LooseCannon]

To their credit, this week's Birr GAA Club notes include "Get over to O'Connor Park and support the lads #uibhfhailíabú"

They also did a me on it.
Misspelling Crinkill as Crinkle.