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The Allianz HL Thread (for all Divisions)

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Replying To PortInFaithful:  "Any word on how Waterford, Tipperary and Galway are shaping? Callanan will miss most of the campaign with a back injury so he's a big loss for Tipperary. For Waterford, Shane Bennett is taking a break and it's been reported today that Tom Devine is gone for three weeks with injury."
Waterford beat us 0-22 to 0-13 in a challenge match.
I've hardly any info, apart from Oisín Kelly played, hit a line ball. Joe Bergin played, heard that on radio 3. Don't know how well he played.

LooseCannon (Offaly) - Posts: 86 - 22/01/2018 22:07:09    2069993

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A preview show for the 2018 Allianz Hurling League live from Croke Park. The show features John Meyler, Derek McGrath, Colm Callanan.
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SlipperyDodger (Cork) - Posts: 93 - 23/01/2018 16:59:17    2070159

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Waterford are not taking the league seriously in terms of wanting to win it. How many other teams will be like that? Possibly all. There may be some good individual games. I predict 90% of games to be high scoring, low intensity, no marking, sweeper-dominated, foul-ridden, stop-start bore fests... Hope I am wrong but most inter County stuff is like that these days up to say All Ireland semi finals stage.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 23/01/2018 18:34:43    2070186

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Replying To LooseCannon:  "Waterford beat us 0-22 to 0-13 in a challenge match.
I've hardly any info, apart from Oisín Kelly played, hit a line ball. Joe Bergin played, heard that on radio 3. Don't know how well he played."
I read your snippets on another forum, thanks! Great to see Bergin back he could be a big addition off the bench, still only 29. We have a good representation of players in the Fitzgibbon Cup with Padraic Guinan captaining UCD later today. Shane Kinsella also involved with the Belfield college.

PortInFaithful (Offaly) - Posts: 472 - 24/01/2018 10:34:15    2070284

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Replying To bennybunny:  "Waterford are not taking the league seriously in terms of wanting to win it. How many other teams will be like that? Possibly all. There may be some good individual games. I predict 90% of games to be high scoring, low intensity, no marking, sweeper-dominated, foul-ridden, stop-start bore fests... Hope I am wrong but most inter County stuff is like that these days up to say All Ireland semi finals stage."
Agreed, especially with the new championship structure. PoolSturgeon alluded to this in his post earlier in the thread. We can expect some damp squibs in the top divisions.

PortInFaithful (Offaly) - Posts: 472 - 24/01/2018 10:39:40    2070286

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I think Offaly have more or less reached their worst in the last few years...I think they are on the road to recovery, wont be challenging for all Irelands mind but the rot has stopped I think. Will be interesting match against Dublin, could give it a right go, although I could be completely wrong hopefully im not.

preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 736 - 25/01/2018 10:39:41    2070525

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i hope you are right,but has the rot stopped in offaly?i havent seen much at underage to say it has unfortunately.

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 25/01/2018 13:49:35    2070574

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Offaly hurling has been in dire straits at inter county level over the past eight years or so. I am upbeat about Croke Park on Saturday from what I seen against Kilkenny two weeks ago. The players seem to be buying into Kevin Martin and Damien Fox. A lot of work to do but it would be great if we could pull off a scalp or two this year.

PortInFaithful (Offaly) - Posts: 472 - 25/01/2018 15:27:31    2070601

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Offaly have approximately 20 clubs that field hurling teams. They have about 40 teams (according to their website). This is approximately double what Carlow and Kerry have and about half of what Kilkenny have. Approximate numbers. We know that Offaly have the resources to compete at the Kilkenny end of the spectrum. They did for years. However, now they are closer to Kerry and Carlow (no disrespect to them). They had very good underage teams in 1980s and early 1990s. They made hay then. I am with perfect10. I don't see what they are doing to warrant much optimism. Possibly, the club scene is competitive. That might be producing top players. I see Offaly struggling in the league (depending on how teams like Limerick and Galway test the competition) and I see them losing every championship game. I hope I am wrong of course. It is just an outside perspective

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 26/01/2018 08:51:41    2070702

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Replying To bennybunny:  "Offaly have approximately 20 clubs that field hurling teams. They have about 40 teams (according to their website). This is approximately double what Carlow and Kerry have and about half of what Kilkenny have. Approximate numbers. We know that Offaly have the resources to compete at the Kilkenny end of the spectrum. They did for years. However, now they are closer to Kerry and Carlow (no disrespect to them). They had very good underage teams in 1980s and early 1990s. They made hay then. I am with perfect10. I don't see what they are doing to warrant much optimism. Possibly, the club scene is competitive. That might be producing top players. I see Offaly struggling in the league (depending on how teams like Limerick and Galway test the competition) and I see them losing every championship game. I hope I am wrong of course. It is just an outside perspective"
We never had resources near Kilkenny's end of the spectrum. For years, lads didn't know where they'd be training until 5 the evening of the training.
The reason that we've a COE is because the CB had nothing to do with it.
We'll have a good minor team this year.(u17)

LooseCannon (Offaly) - Posts: 86 - 26/01/2018 15:05:19    2070815

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Would love to see Offaly back and hope they can be. Hurling needs everyone. Unfortunately, I don't think they have bottomed out yet either.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 26/01/2018 15:44:36    2070829

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Replying To Pinkie:  "Would love to see Offaly back and hope they can be. Hurling needs everyone. Unfortunately, I don't think they have bottomed out yet either."
Oh believe you me, we have.

LooseCannon (Offaly) - Posts: 86 - 26/01/2018 16:55:10    2070850

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On comparing both teams named, I'm confident of Offaly pulling off an upset in Croke Park later. Dublin have excluded some big names and we have a near full team. If the players can show the same fight and determination as they did against Kilkenny a few weeks ago we will be in with a shout.

PortInFaithful (Offaly) - Posts: 472 - 27/01/2018 13:36:20    2071038

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Replying To LooseCannon:  "Oh believe you me, we have."
Turns out they have!
Well done Offaly, I am delighted for them. I know it is first round of the league, but they look fit, committed, and gave Dublin a right hiding!
Hurling needs Offaly, but the only caution I would offer is that Dublin have a lot to come back. Still, a tonic for Offaly and I am absolutely delighted for them. Nobody in 1B will underestimate Offaly now, would love to see them upset the apple cart like we did last year!

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 27/01/2018 18:27:43    2071124

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Replying To PortInFaithful:  "On comparing both teams named, I'm confident of Offaly pulling off an upset in Croke Park later. Dublin have excluded some big names and we have a near full team. If the players can show the same fight and determination as they did against Kilkenny a few weeks ago we will be in with a shout."
Anyone who likes hurling will be delighted that you were proven right. It would be great to see a strong Offaly competing again at the top level. Disappointing for Dublin but I'm sure they will get stronger as the year goes on.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 27/01/2018 18:29:56    2071125

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Replying To Pinkie:  "
Replying To LooseCannon:  "Oh believe you me, we have."
Turns out they have!
Well done Offaly, I am delighted for them. I know it is first round of the league, but they look fit, committed, and gave Dublin a right hiding!
Hurling needs Offaly, but the only caution I would offer is that Dublin have a lot to come back. Still, a tonic for Offaly and I am absolutely delighted for them. Nobody in 1B will underestimate Offaly now, would love to see them upset the apple cart like we did last year!"
To be fair, we've a few as well. Paddy Murphy, Seán Ryan, Cillian Kiely, and a few more.
Fantastic win, nonetheless.

LooseCannon (Offaly) - Posts: 86 - 27/01/2018 18:54:30    2071134

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Replying To Pinkie:  "
Replying To LooseCannon:  "Oh believe you me, we have."
Turns out they have!
Well done Offaly, I am delighted for them. I know it is first round of the league, but they look fit, committed, and gave Dublin a right hiding!
Hurling needs Offaly, but the only caution I would offer is that Dublin have a lot to come back. Still, a tonic for Offaly and I am absolutely delighted for them. Nobody in 1B will underestimate Offaly now, would love to see them upset the apple cart like we did last year!"
Thanks Pinkie. I didn't make the game, but this was a great win, against the odds. Have to honestly say that I thought Offaly might give a good performance, in going down by a few points.
Limerick are up next, in Tullamore, hope for another win. It would be great to have Offaly competitive again in Leinster.

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1741 - 27/01/2018 18:56:44    2071135

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Replying To thelongridge:  "
Replying To Pinkie:  "[quote=LooseCannon:  "Oh believe you me, we have."
Turns out they have!
Well done Offaly, I am delighted for them. I know it is first round of the league, but they look fit, committed, and gave Dublin a right hiding!
Hurling needs Offaly, but the only caution I would offer is that Dublin have a lot to come back. Still, a tonic for Offaly and I am absolutely delighted for them. Nobody in 1B will underestimate Offaly now, would love to see them upset the apple cart like we did last year!"
Thanks Pinkie. I didn't make the game, but this was a great win, against the odds. Have to honestly say that I thought Offaly might give a good performance, in going down by a few points.
Limerick are up next, in Tullamore, hope for another win. It would be great to have Offaly competitive again in Leinster."]That's the fittest I've seen Offaly in 15 years.

Great to see them compete again.

Hope it continues.

carlovia (None) - Posts: 1517 - 27/01/2018 19:43:34    2071146

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Up the Faithful!!!!

Fantastic result.

PortInFaithful (Offaly) - Posts: 472 - 27/01/2018 21:50:05    2071191

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Well done Offaly. They can take confidence from the result. Little more unfortunately. The hurling season is farcical now. Dublin put out a shadow team. Don't want to ruin their buzz but I still think Offaly will lose all of their championship games. However, if they get some wins against other shadow teams in the league.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 28/01/2018 08:06:22    2071245

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