Twenty-nine years after their last championship meeting at the venue, Offaly and Kilkenny return to O’Moore Park for Sunday’s Leinster championship semi final. However, none of the ten Leinster final meetings or the two All-Ireland final meetings between the two in the intervening period will be recalled when assessing Sunday’s prospects. No, the only formguide used will be that of the last semi-final meeting, that which took place two years ago, the ‘meltdown match’ when Offaly crumbled meekly in the face of the onslaught of a hungry Kilkenny side seeking to regain the Leinster crown they surrendered to Wexford in dramatic circumstances eleven months earlier.
As far as Offaly are concerned, keeping Kilkenny from scoring goals is paramount. Kilkenny thrive on goals like no other team in the country and, like two years ago, will look to strike early and often in that regard. Notice how former Cork bainisteoir Donal O’Grady always says that, when preparing Cork teams to face Kilkenny, one of the principal factors they concentrated on was keeping Kilkenny from scoring goals.
So how can Offaly hope to shut Kilkenny out? It goes without saying that Offaly must be ultra-competitive in all areas of the park. There can be no standing on ceremony. Tight man-to-man marking in defence is crucial. Not just standing beside the man when the ball is at the far end of the field, but tracking every move and being aware of where their markers are at all times. The Kilkenny attack is very mobile, and they take up superb running angles (rugby-like) breaking defensive lines and always giving options to the ball carrier varying the line of the attack. They have led the hurling revolution this decade in this regard. They are also very slippery at ‘ghosting’ away on the defender’s blindside and popping up on the edge of the square. In particular, Kilkenny regularly use the ploy where the full forward runs out to the edge of the ‘D’, the long ball is played in over his head for the in-running corner forward to pounce and score. Communication is the key. All Offaly players (especially the goalkeeper, who should be the spare pair of eyes for his full back line) need to keep on the alert, and give each other a shout to help a colleague who may have lost his man.
Each defender must take responsibility for their own marker, covering runs, attempting to hook, block etc. There will be no ‘covering off’ or marking space on Sunday, as, given any latitude, any Kilkenny attacker can be a match winner and they can’t be left unattended for an instant. Also - only one Offaly tackler at a time. There should be no running in to help out a team-mate as to do so will leave a loose Kilkennyman on an Offalyman’s blindside somewhere who will create an overlap.
I would expect Kevin Brady to pick up the rangy Martin Comerford should he line out at wing forward. Comerford is especially adept at gaining possession and doesn’t waste much – he either takes a good score or distributes wisely. Brady, is good in the air as we know, and has ‘filled out’ considerably this winter (he’s 24 this year). David Kenny is also good in the air and likes the scrap. He has recovered well following a league campaign that was cut short by injury. On the other hand, he needs to be more decisive in his striking than he was against Laois. Ger Oakley may be the man to pick up Eddie Brennan should Brennan line out at 10. Of course, Kilkenny may opt to rearrange their whole attacking unit following their league final defeat at the hands of Waterford.
Paul Cleary looked uncomfortable under the dropping ball against Laois which led to some ‘Hail Mary’ defending at the Arden Road end. Kilkenny will no doubt have noted this. They may look to exploit the young full back by placing Martin Comerford (or perhaps Shefflin) on top of him. Brendan O’Meara might do OK on Aidan Fogarty while I feel the Offaly management may opt for David Franks’ experience in the other corner given the opposition and his greater knowledge of them garnered from his club hurling with Carrickshock.
Despite the depressing nature of Offaly’s collapse that day two years ago, there were some positives to take from it. The Offaly half forward line won a decent amount of their own puckout during the first half that day, mainly through the Hanniffys, despite being opposed by a Kilkenny half back line of Mullally, Barry and Delaney. Derek Molloy who is also decent in the air joins them in the half forward line this year and Offaly also have the option of bringing Joe Bergin outfield for a while. In addition, Offaly scored eleven first half points that day including some fine scores from play from distance and were awarded a number of hard-won frees. The second half collapse can be attributed partly to a chance in puckout strategy at half time where they changed to placing the ball low resulting in confusion in the Offaly attack and total Kilkenny dominance. I would have no fear of taking on Kilkenny on the traditional route. Having a half forward line that are strong in the air also gives an outlet for any rushed clearances from defenders under pressure.
Against this, however, the Offaly full forward line may struggle on Sunday. Brian Carroll needs to read the incoming ball better and to get out in front of his man. Damien Murray needs to put up his hand and catch the ball, and not to be batting it down for a covering defender to gather and clear. I would expect Noel Hickey and J.J. Delaney to dominate this sector (should they line out at 2 and 4 respectively), though Murray’s accuracy from frees will be welcomed. The clash of Joe Bergin and whoever is full back will be interesting. Some day Bergin’s knack of adjusting his positioning behind the full back under a dropping ball will pay dividends.
We got a good look at Kilkenny during their league run, though they were in experimental mode for much of this. P.J. Ryan was given an extended run in goals in place of James McGarry, and Brian Hogan lined out at full back while Noel Hickey was moved sideways to corner back. Whether they persist with this is unclear. There is a more settled look about them further up the field, where the only doubt is whether James Fitzpatrick will line out at midfield (from where he hurled his way to ‘young hurler of the year’ last year) or in the forward line. The forwards tend to move around quite a lot and we can expect that Henry Shefflin and Martin Comerford will be particularly troublesome. All a defender can do against these is to tackle hard and let them know you’re around, all the while hoping the Offaly forwardline can slow down the delivery somewhat. Offaly’s midfield combination of Teehan and Murphy is mobile and works hard. They will need to be, as Derek Lyng and whoever his midfield partner is will cover every blade of O’Moore Park grass. The recently returned Michael Cordial looked eager when introduced against Laois. If he can reproduce this if and when introduced on Sunday he would be a huge asset.
Offaly will also look for the referee to patrol the area under the dropping ball. Kilkenny were aggrieved that Seamus Roche consistently blew then for shoving and mauling under the high ball during the league final. This is an area they have been afforded some latitude this decade and some strong refereeing will again be required.
Two persistent failings haunt this Offaly team. Failure to perform in the second half of a match when the intensity is ratcheted up and an inability to hurl when there’s no ‘r’ in the month! This match will be played out at a fierce intensity, the likes of which some of these Offaly hurlers will not have experienced before. On the ball, they need to be quick and incisive. If they run onto a breaking ball in space, lift it up and drive long. Don’t whip on the ground in these situations – chances are it will fall to a loose Kilkennyman! This is where we need our forwards out in front.
It is expected that Offaly will have noted some of Kilkenny’s more notable recent defeats such as the dramatic 2004 defeat to Wexford and Galway’s equally sensational semi final win a year later and how each of those went about that despite both having forwards who were at a physical disadvantage to the Cats’ defence.
Offaly need the boost of an early blockdown, perhaps from Ger Oakley, or David Franks (if he starts) to lift Offaly spirits and lay down a marker. If they can do this, and keep the Kilkenny attack at bay, they can go a long way to restoring pride in Offaly hurling. As Eddie O’Sullivan remarks at the end of the recently released DVD on the Irish rugby team – “failure is a great excuse for doing something better next time.” However, everything is predicated on keeping out the feared Kilkenny goals. If we have a repeat of the early scoreline from two years ago, which read 2-1 to 0-3 Offaly can forget about it. We can also forget about Kilkenny being complacent. This Kilkenny team under Cody don’t do complacent and they will look to go for Offaly’s jugular from an early stage. There will be plenty of nervous energy in the Offaly dressing room on Sunday which needs to be channelled correctly. No need for dramatic fist pumping or starting rows. Offaly need to meet Kilkenny with a quiet determination. Hopefully the Faithful Men can keep them at bay sufficiently to restore Offaly pride. A win is probably beyond wildest dreams (though Galway and Wexford have done it following some harrowing defeats at the hands of the Cats) but a decent performance would be a welcome confidence boost for the qualifiers and the busy month of July to come.
Offaly v Kilkenny preview
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Plain of the Herbs
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Lone Shark
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Quality work sir. I can't match that for technical analysis, but here's my alternative take on it anyway, formed after a trip to Kilkenny last night .....
Prepare to feel a little shiver down your spine – for the purposes of introduction, I’m forced to take you back to a memory that was hitherto buried amidst all those other nightmares that terrorise the soul. I refer of course to that horrendous June Sunday of two years ago, when Offaly hurlers suffered their infamous 31-point defeat at the hands of Kilkenny. The effect that gruesome day had on the psyche of both Offaly hurlers and supporters has probably yet to unfold to its full extent, but most hurling analysts would agree that it was a very significant watershed.
In contrast, barely a second thought had been given to the effect that very same game had on Noreside. After all most people would presume that it was just another day at the office for them. This weekend your writer was in the company of roughly a dozen Kilkenny friends and acquaintances, many of whom hurl competitively at club level in Kilkenny and all of whom retain a considerable interest in the fortunes of their county team and attend county matches throughout the calendar year. Yours truly, an Offaly interloper amidst these feline followers, raised the question of how many would be in attendance in Portlaoise for next Sunday’s Leinster semi final. Amidst furtive glances and furrowed brows, two of the group suggested that they were yet undecided, while the rest expressed no interest in watching their county hurlers go through a glorified training exercise while a once proud rival of theirs took another mortal blow.
Not alone was the possibility of an upset not entertained, neither was the possibility of a close game. In Kilkenny minds Sunday could not even be considered a good trial for their players, as a good individual performance against Offaly will convince very few observers of whether a player is capable of passing the bigger exams that lie ahead when their side comes head to head with the other big guns. In that two minute discussion, the effect of the 11th June 2005 on Kilkenny became clear – it was the day Offaly ceased to be relevant.
The unfortunate part about this from Offaly’s point of view is that there is no danger the Kilkenny players sharing this attitude. Brian Cody has guided his team to several provincial and national titles and is fast earning the title of the greatest manager in the history of the game. Above all he does not tolerate anything other than complete concentration and focus on the game at hand. The Kilkenny players that take the field next Sunday will be giving their absolute all, not because they believe for one second that they might lose to Offaly, but because they know that if their commitment falls to anything less than 100% there are several extremely able replacements on the sideline chomping at the bit to replace them and a manager very willing to call those replacements into action. Be assured that next Sunday Offaly will face nothing less than Kilkenny operating at full pelt, because they simply don’t know any other way.
So with all this dark cloud, where is the silver lining? The bookmakers are pitching this as a guaranteed whitewash, with handicaps (i.e. Offaly head start to make it an even bet) in the region of ten to twelve points. Stepping back from the clichés such as “hope springs eternal” and “you never know”, is there really any rationale for contesting their assertion, that Offaly will have overachieved if the final margin is a single digit number?
The answer to this lies in establishing the true credentials of this Offaly defensive unit, in particular with regard to denying Kilkenny’s main source of oxygen – goals. If the true form of Offaly’s back six is the six goals conceded against Limerick, then one shudders to think what these Kilkenny forwards have the potential to score. On the other hand if the true form is the six other competitive games this year where one goal was the most conceded in any single game, then there is perhaps cause for hope. At first glance it would be easy to say that in the light of those statistics the Limerick game was an anomaly, but this Offaly team is developing a worrying habit of experiencing these “anomalies” when the stakes are highest – witness the similar drubbing to the same opponents last summer when a place in the quarter finals was on offer.
Offaly need to contest this game aggressively throughout the match, with complete concentration and drive – this will not be possible if the team spirit is sapped by crucial concessions of goals. In order to prevent this, the players have to mature very fast and adopt the mantra that next Sunday’s opponents have adopted for some time now – “Thou shalt not pass”. Kilkenny, and several other teams who have chosen to ape their style, defend as hard as they can, but if the battle is lost and a player is breaking through with the likelihood of creating an overlap, he will be fouled. Damien Murray’s fine freetaking against Laois may have allayed fears about Offaly’s scoring from placed balls, but even so it’s hard to see Kilkenny abandoning their ultra-aggressive policy that has served them so well. Their fire can only be fought with fire, and Offaly’s half back line will do well to apprehend players like Eddie Brennan or Martin Comerford with all the gusto of a Texan prison guard if a line break looks likely.
For too long Offaly have entered clashes with Kilkenny and tried to outhurl them, all the while failing to realise that Kilkenny imposed their physicality on a game first and then allowed their skills to do the talking. This is the challenge that John McIntyre and his men face on Sunday. If this challenge can be met, then it remains unlikely that Offaly will secure their first Leinster Championship win over Kilkenny in 12 years, but at least we’ll be relevant again. The Cat may have laughed last weekend, but hopefully he’ll at least be forced to brandish his claws next Sunday.
Prepare to feel a little shiver down your spine – for the purposes of introduction, I’m forced to take you back to a memory that was hitherto buried amidst all those other nightmares that terrorise the soul. I refer of course to that horrendous June Sunday of two years ago, when Offaly hurlers suffered their infamous 31-point defeat at the hands of Kilkenny. The effect that gruesome day had on the psyche of both Offaly hurlers and supporters has probably yet to unfold to its full extent, but most hurling analysts would agree that it was a very significant watershed.
In contrast, barely a second thought had been given to the effect that very same game had on Noreside. After all most people would presume that it was just another day at the office for them. This weekend your writer was in the company of roughly a dozen Kilkenny friends and acquaintances, many of whom hurl competitively at club level in Kilkenny and all of whom retain a considerable interest in the fortunes of their county team and attend county matches throughout the calendar year. Yours truly, an Offaly interloper amidst these feline followers, raised the question of how many would be in attendance in Portlaoise for next Sunday’s Leinster semi final. Amidst furtive glances and furrowed brows, two of the group suggested that they were yet undecided, while the rest expressed no interest in watching their county hurlers go through a glorified training exercise while a once proud rival of theirs took another mortal blow.
Not alone was the possibility of an upset not entertained, neither was the possibility of a close game. In Kilkenny minds Sunday could not even be considered a good trial for their players, as a good individual performance against Offaly will convince very few observers of whether a player is capable of passing the bigger exams that lie ahead when their side comes head to head with the other big guns. In that two minute discussion, the effect of the 11th June 2005 on Kilkenny became clear – it was the day Offaly ceased to be relevant.
The unfortunate part about this from Offaly’s point of view is that there is no danger the Kilkenny players sharing this attitude. Brian Cody has guided his team to several provincial and national titles and is fast earning the title of the greatest manager in the history of the game. Above all he does not tolerate anything other than complete concentration and focus on the game at hand. The Kilkenny players that take the field next Sunday will be giving their absolute all, not because they believe for one second that they might lose to Offaly, but because they know that if their commitment falls to anything less than 100% there are several extremely able replacements on the sideline chomping at the bit to replace them and a manager very willing to call those replacements into action. Be assured that next Sunday Offaly will face nothing less than Kilkenny operating at full pelt, because they simply don’t know any other way.
So with all this dark cloud, where is the silver lining? The bookmakers are pitching this as a guaranteed whitewash, with handicaps (i.e. Offaly head start to make it an even bet) in the region of ten to twelve points. Stepping back from the clichés such as “hope springs eternal” and “you never know”, is there really any rationale for contesting their assertion, that Offaly will have overachieved if the final margin is a single digit number?
The answer to this lies in establishing the true credentials of this Offaly defensive unit, in particular with regard to denying Kilkenny’s main source of oxygen – goals. If the true form of Offaly’s back six is the six goals conceded against Limerick, then one shudders to think what these Kilkenny forwards have the potential to score. On the other hand if the true form is the six other competitive games this year where one goal was the most conceded in any single game, then there is perhaps cause for hope. At first glance it would be easy to say that in the light of those statistics the Limerick game was an anomaly, but this Offaly team is developing a worrying habit of experiencing these “anomalies” when the stakes are highest – witness the similar drubbing to the same opponents last summer when a place in the quarter finals was on offer.
Offaly need to contest this game aggressively throughout the match, with complete concentration and drive – this will not be possible if the team spirit is sapped by crucial concessions of goals. In order to prevent this, the players have to mature very fast and adopt the mantra that next Sunday’s opponents have adopted for some time now – “Thou shalt not pass”. Kilkenny, and several other teams who have chosen to ape their style, defend as hard as they can, but if the battle is lost and a player is breaking through with the likelihood of creating an overlap, he will be fouled. Damien Murray’s fine freetaking against Laois may have allayed fears about Offaly’s scoring from placed balls, but even so it’s hard to see Kilkenny abandoning their ultra-aggressive policy that has served them so well. Their fire can only be fought with fire, and Offaly’s half back line will do well to apprehend players like Eddie Brennan or Martin Comerford with all the gusto of a Texan prison guard if a line break looks likely.
For too long Offaly have entered clashes with Kilkenny and tried to outhurl them, all the while failing to realise that Kilkenny imposed their physicality on a game first and then allowed their skills to do the talking. This is the challenge that John McIntyre and his men face on Sunday. If this challenge can be met, then it remains unlikely that Offaly will secure their first Leinster Championship win over Kilkenny in 12 years, but at least we’ll be relevant again. The Cat may have laughed last weekend, but hopefully he’ll at least be forced to brandish his claws next Sunday.
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black and red exile
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Offalys Future
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My own opinion of the game on Sunday is that Offaly havent a hope in hell.
I would go further to say that Sunday will be the biggest beating that Offaly have ever received from Kilkenny.
Its great that people send their best wishes on this form, but best wishes wont be worth anything come throw in time Sunday.
Remember
Fail To Prepare
Prepare To Fail
This is the worst prepared Offaly Hurling Panel in the last twenty years.
I have sympathy for the players that have put in the effort but absolutely no sympathy for the guys that havent and especially not the players that were out drinking after the Laois game.
Certain people have posted topics about each player looking after their own patch etc.
This is why Offaly is the way it is at present, no team work.
One on one against Kilkenny we will get destroyed.
McIntyre sould know this and should have a game plan to put nto place, but no that wont happen either.
i can see Kilkenny scoring close to thirty points and four goals.
Richie power missing gives Kilkennys attack alot more options as now, shefflin, comeford and larkin can hurl in any position in the forward line.
Plus larkin will be out to prove a point and has the capability to cause serious damage. Eddie Brennan is also in great form and expect him and larkin if he plays to do the serious damage.
Sunday will be a sad day for Offaly hurling, three years on and we havent made any improvement.
Sad
I would go further to say that Sunday will be the biggest beating that Offaly have ever received from Kilkenny.
Its great that people send their best wishes on this form, but best wishes wont be worth anything come throw in time Sunday.
Remember
Fail To Prepare
Prepare To Fail
This is the worst prepared Offaly Hurling Panel in the last twenty years.
I have sympathy for the players that have put in the effort but absolutely no sympathy for the guys that havent and especially not the players that were out drinking after the Laois game.
Certain people have posted topics about each player looking after their own patch etc.
This is why Offaly is the way it is at present, no team work.
One on one against Kilkenny we will get destroyed.
McIntyre sould know this and should have a game plan to put nto place, but no that wont happen either.
i can see Kilkenny scoring close to thirty points and four goals.
Richie power missing gives Kilkennys attack alot more options as now, shefflin, comeford and larkin can hurl in any position in the forward line.
Plus larkin will be out to prove a point and has the capability to cause serious damage. Eddie Brennan is also in great form and expect him and larkin if he plays to do the serious damage.
Sunday will be a sad day for Offaly hurling, three years on and we havent made any improvement.
Sad
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black and red exile
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Sydthebeat
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well i really hope all the doom and gloom forecasted doesnt materialise...
yes, i do not expect offaly to win, but i do expect them to have enough 'pride in the jersey' not to have a repeat of that mauling 2 years ago...
lets see...... i will still be there shouting them on till the final whistle anyway....
yes, i do not expect offaly to win, but i do expect them to have enough 'pride in the jersey' not to have a repeat of that mauling 2 years ago...
lets see...... i will still be there shouting them on till the final whistle anyway....