townman wrote:don't know about carlow did you see the beating offaly gave them last year in minor
. . . to this . . .
townman wrote:yes poor result but sure you have to keep it going who are we to look down at any team.
. . . all in the same sentence. For fuck sake!
Incidentally I heard over the weekend that there exists a programme from a Tony Forristal or Nenagh Co-op tournament from the recent past which lists almost every county's panel that was taking part. Almost. The Offaly page is blank as the management didn't know their team at the time the programme went to press. That Offaly team was managed by a former Offaly hurler, the holder of two All-Ireland medals and four Leinster medals. 'Shur, ask the men with the medals', as they say.
well sure the man your were looking for to take over a few years ago, John Leahy k/k no medals there still the same result . what happen to Johnny Flathery and Ronnie Brynes plan for underage
hurling
The County Board should really notify the U21 Hurlers of what is happening. Very unfair to not show respect to these lads who have devoted their time to the county - at great expese to themselves even to their education - all would have travelled from Colleges over the years and were loyal to the County. Now where are they - not even thought about!!!! having trained and played given their life to hurling down the years. As I have already said we have some great hurlers not doing much hurling this year - not good for Offaly's Hurling future! AND WILL THEY NEED THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
As far as I can make out, U21 quarter-final fixtures are as follows-
Saturday 22nd March
Kilcormac-Killoughey v St Rynagh’s at Rath at 2pm
Cúchulainn Gaels v Ferbane-Belmont at Crinkill at 4pm
Tuesday 25th March
Tullamore v Coolderry at Ballinamere at 8pm
Saturday 29th March
Shinrone v Seir Kieran Óg at Carrig at 2pm.
The tie of the round is undoubtedly the K-K v Rynagh’s one. Repeat of the Minor Final of three years ago. The winner of this quarter-final not going on to win the title would be a considerable surprise. It would have made for a great Final.
K-K will be led by the Geraghtys, Dylan Murray, Con Mahon, Enda Grogan. Rynagh’s will be led by Conor Clancy in goals, Niall Wynne, Joey O’Connor, Seán Dolan, Simon Lyons and Ethan Mannion.
K-K's win in that 2011 Minor Final points towards a K-K win here.
Cúchulainn Gaels were decent in their first round win over St Brendan’s. Stylish as could be. A decent number who hurled Senior for Kinnitty and Lusmagh last year too. F-B won the Minor ‘B’ title three years ago, beating Shinrone in the Final. Leon Fox, David Kelly, Darragh Corbett and Joe Maher have all played Senior for Belmont. Gaels' first round win, hard fought as it was, might give them an edge over F-B who received a bye in the first round.
Hard to know how Coolderry v Tullamore might go. Coolderry's 2-10 to 3-4 win over Shamrocks doesn't scream confidence or anything. Tullamore's extra-time win over the Ballinamere/Brosna Gaels combination does, however. Still, tradition, and all that. Coolderry, just.
Defending champions Shinrone have lost a number of leaders of last year's side (Michael & Seán Cleary, Shane McKelvey, Dónal Morkan are all overage) but do retain Joe Cleary, Damien Murphy, the Doughans and Jason Sampson which should be enough to see them clear the first hurdle presented by the Clareen/Drumcullen combination (for whom Keith Mullally will be a key player) on Saturday week.
Pat Donegan. Signed out of respect for players and all involved with Offaly.
Two goals in a minute midway through the second half turned this tie on its head and sent Cúchulainn Gaels into the semi-final draw. The first a brilliant solo effort from Paul Kinsella, the second from Graham Lynch turned 1-9 to 1-5 into 3-9 to 1-5.
Gaels’ first goal was also opportune, I think it was Seán Gardiner who finished it as half-time approached, after taking some punishment on the way in, and Gaels had some breathing space with a 1-7 to 0-2 half-time lead. It was a scraggy, scrappy game of winter hurling, with Cúchulainn Gaels reduced to 14 men when Willie Molloy was sent off midway through the first half. Dropping ball, the Belmont man caught it, Molloy pulled but connected late with the man’s arm. Molloy’s arms instantly shot up apologetically but Declan Cooke must have (harshly) adjudged the blow to be deliberate and showed a straight red.
Cooke was much more lenient with some wild pulling in rucks for the remainder of the game.
With wind assistance Ferbane-Belmont came into it and when they scored a goal about ten minutes into the second half the deficit was down to three points (1-8 to 1-5) and it seemed the match would go the distance. Gaels’ second and third goals secured was a character-building win for the combination side.
Kevin O’Connor was sound in goal, the Rigneys and Andrew Browne were best of the defence while Seán Gardiner, Paul Kinsella and Alan Kelly did well in attack and Graham Lynch had a big influence when introduced.
Ferbane-Belmont had too many grip-changers and while they looked to play a passing-type game their touch wasn’t sharp enough to control the ball when they needed to.
Pat Donegan. Signed out of respect for players and all involved with Offaly.
Jimbob as much as i would love to hear that i wouldnt be too optimistic about it happening. They have the backroom team set up already but they cant find a manger to fill the void
Any person who saw the Kilcormac/Killoughey Under 21 "star-players" last Saturday will realise the huge task that awaits the Offaly Under 21 Hurling management when they are eventually appointed. Even at this late stage every effort should be made to get the best manager & allow that person pick their own management team. Having selectors "in place" with no manager appointed sounds like that we are back in the 1950's. Our young hurlers are entitled to the same opportunities/training facilities etc as our Under 21 footballers enjoyed. Hurling should not be seen as the poor relation and our hurlers should not be receiving the same "treatment" as Kilkenny's younger footballers continue to endure.
. . . all in the same sentence. For fuck sake!townman wrote:yes poor result but sure you have to keep it going who are we to look down at any team.
