National Forum

Offaly v Waterford

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A really interesting game here.

People have been waiting for Waterford to collapse for years, as if it was inevitable but they're still there or therabouts. I wouldn't say they on the way down as the squad is exceptionally young. Only 5 of the team that started the game v Clare in 2012 were playing in the 2013 fixture. I can see them having a tough time of it over the next couple of years, but I don't see them falling away massively as they haven't too many lads about to retire or anything.

Offaly will be seriously energised by the Kilkenny game, and I'm sure they'll get a huge crowd which will give them a big advantage. The two teams are coming from opposite directions mentally. Offaly energised and looking to build on a good performance, Waterford possibly demoralised by the manner of their loss to Clare, or they could be out for revenge...

I'm going to say Waterford have more quality here, and will come out by a point or two in a really competitive game.

ringo (Wexford) - Posts: 384 - 13/06/2013 11:29:13    1405494

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The hurling championship has been intriguing so far (much more so than the football), even if most would say Kilkenny will ultimately win the All-Ireland. If Westmeath get the win in London, playing Offaly or Waterford in Mullingar would be massive!

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 13/06/2013 11:34:06    1405501

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I think Offaly will win this, there on the up and and maturing as a side. Waterford are very young yet.

crossfieldball (Galway) - Posts: 650 - 13/06/2013 12:01:25    1405540

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we are in a transition period. and will take a few years to get settled.
we still have some fine hurlers but they are young. Offaly have the more experienced players at this stage.

i dunno what happened us against Clare. we just collapsed in the second half. not to be taking away from Clare's performance they played lovely hurling. i can see us putting up a good show and once it's a good game ill settled for that

Nadeise (Waterford) - Posts: 5 - 16/06/2013 10:50:52    1407608

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Waterford should've beaten Cork last year which would've left them just 70 mins away from an All-Ireland final (again). This obviously has had a major hangover affect on the panel. Mullane & 1 or 2 more would still be there otherwise, I believe.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 16/06/2013 14:39:20    1407741

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Is it all-ticket?

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2581 - 17/06/2013 11:14:22    1408536

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I would be very wary of Waterford here,

They have had some underage suscess in recent years (a few Harty Cups) and are bringing some younger players through but still have great experience in the likes of Brick, Seamus P, the returning Noel Connors, D Fives etc and those last 2 are still young. a

We are marooned in Div 1A and not looking like escaping any time soon so we are facing a superior force who have been Div 1 for a long time.

The display v KK was encouraging but we need to improve on discipline (ref will hardly ever again allow what C Parlon got away with) and stop giving away silly and unnecessary fouls. If we can do that and vary the game a bit we could push this one close. Shane has to make some contributation from open play and if he does not I would consider subbing him after 20-30 mins.

Too often in the past we had too many small players who could be pushed around. Now we have a lot of big men but mobility is an issue.

Will travel in hope.

KELF (Kildare) - Posts: 775 - 17/06/2013 18:30:52    1409206

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Just seen Shane Walsh could be missing for Waterford....Not sure of how much of a loss he is. Have never seen him play unbelievably well...only ever seen him get the odd very scrappy goal. Will the teams be announced tonight??? they were announced for the Dublin Wexford match on the Tuesday beforehand...A bit ridiculous announcing a team that early but it will give us food for thought on both teams and see who is at least pushing for places, as Im sure there will be changes come throw-in

wing back (Offaly) - Posts: 116 - 19/06/2013 09:18:30    1410421

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Waterford team has been named. Shane Walsh was missing for the Clare game & IS a loss! Has a presence at full forward, capable of winning his own ball, always good for a couple of points & had a knack of getting opportunistic goals.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 19/06/2013 11:20:51    1410524

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Cathal Parlon is out for Offaly, broke his hand in the Kilkenny game. Del Morkan played the second half in a challenge last week but looked very rusty so I doubt he will start either. Would like to see Cleary come in at full back and let Kenny out to centre back where he is more comfortable. I would have Carroll and centre forward and try to drag Brick all over the shop. If you play a standard centre forward Brick will hoover it up no problem.

Very different proposition this week to the Kilkenny game. Everyone knew we would be beat so the players had no pressure but now there is expectation. Plus we won't get the lucky break we got for the goals the last day. On the positive side we should have 3 good finishers in the full forward line in Bergin, Dooley and Currams so half a chance and they will finish. I still have this nagging feeling though that Waterford will win by 3/4 points and Offaly will be left with another morale victory which has been the tale for the last 7/8 years

tonorio (Offaly) - Posts: 609 - 19/06/2013 11:36:43    1410544

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brick walsh is waterfords key man. the key to limiting his influence is not by marking him or putting someone on him that will drag him all over the place but as a previous post stated the key is to cut off any short hand passes or hurley flicks. this is because his striking is not the best.if offalys fullback line can deal with the high balls that will be coming in. having someone marking kevin moran that can match him physically will also be very important. isolate bergin on liam lawlor and he will do serious damage, shane dooley needs to offer more from play aswell.

hurlingexpert (Clare) - Posts: 1941 - 19/06/2013 13:14:58    1410678

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I like both these counties, but I have a feeling about Offaly, big powerful skilful players, should be a cracking game though. But I reckon Offaly will shade it.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4956 - 19/06/2013 15:05:51    1410787

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Would agree with you keeper7 that Shane Walsh has got some VERY fortunate goals....Throws his size around aswell...But would definitely refute that he is always good for a few points. Pretty sure he got roasted in both league games he played this year and was taken off half way through the 2nd half in both when the game was on the line....1 point in 2 games from your your full forward is hardly a loss.They're better off with Maurice Shanahan on the edge of the square altogether. Don't want to make this a slagging match about Walsh though.

Seen the Waterford team...pretty much as expected, would expect Sully to move out to midfield along side Moran. The half back line of Nagle, Brick and Fives is the strongest line and if Offaly can get a few breaks here from their own puck outs and get ball in to Egan, Bergin and Dooley, who I would expect to be in the full forward line for the faithful, they could set it up for a great game. Another major battle is Maurice Shanahan and David Kenny (if he starts at full back). Definitely Waterfords best forward...well able to get on the ball and likes to drive for goal when needed to. Prendergast is the work horse...thought he played well enough against Clare even when others were out of the game and was unlucky not to get a goal. He definitely commands respect as he has the experience, Ger Healion needs to really try and take control here.

Haven't heard the Offaly Line-up yet but heard Parlon is out. He was very lucky to stay on the field against KK but saying that he had a pretty good game...made a lot of clearances and hit in some lovely ball into the forwards. Got caught under the hight ball with TJ Reid a bit too much which ultimately led to a bad pull. He is a big loss as he was always an option to move to the forwards aswell. Heard Del Morkam played half a match last week but is very rusty...so can't see him being fit to start so would expect Paul Cleary to be drafted in or possibly David King of Coolderry who played well in the League.

The Bookies have it Waterford by 2......Can't argue with that really. Will see what odds are available on the day.

wing back (Offaly) - Posts: 116 - 20/06/2013 10:57:02    1411295

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Also does anyone know if this game will be telvised??? As this is the pick of the qualifiers I assumed it would be. Was hoping to record it and watch back again after going to Tullamore. Im asking this as I was very surprised that the Dublin Wexford replay wasn't shown. And was also annoyed that the Laois Galway Leinster Semi Final wasn't on the live either.

wing back (Offaly) - Posts: 116 - 20/06/2013 14:56:54    1411600

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No the game is not on tv. Hopefully it will bring out a bigger crowd

tonorio (Offaly) - Posts: 609 - 20/06/2013 15:36:11    1411637

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game not on TV. GAA have cut amount of games to be shown live by 10% (excuse is they want to address declining attendences) the new arrangement means that First round hurling qualifiers are not allowed to be shown live. bad form this is also why Kilkenny v Dublin and Cork v Clare were fixed against each other as GAA only wanted 1 of them to be broadcast live

Kenlim (Limerick) - Posts: 864 - 20/06/2013 15:44:51    1411646

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Can TV3 not show 1 game while RTE show 2 ??? Let people choose which they want to watch!

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 20/06/2013 17:06:29    1411721

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No terms of contract means that RTE and TV3 are not allowed to show games at same time

Kenlim (Limerick) - Posts: 864 - 20/06/2013 17:21:26    1411736

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Just seen the Offaly team...Looks a stronger line-up that what went out against Kilkenny. Derek Molloy is a definite plus ahead of Conor Mahon, as Molloy can actually hurl. The only thing I will say about Molloy is he needs to keep his cool and not get booked early on as he sometimes is a liability to get sent off. Was surprised to see Del Morkam being brought back into the frame so fast.... But he must be doing well in training, Paul Cleary will be called in here I suspect if Del isn't up to speed. Currams was always going to come in for Sean Cleary...But would not be surprised at seeing the young Shinrone man getting another run at some point as starting your 1st ever Ch'ship game against Kilkenny is a baptism of fire...deserves another shot, one for the future. Very Surprised Slevin got named again, the game totally passed him by against Kilkenny. Baker is sticking his neck out for him in my opinion and he would want to deliver, I hope he does. The rest of the team is pretty much named as expected and looks strong.

One man who I would love to see but for some reason or another he's not in with the county panel is Dylan Hayden. By far and away Birr's most gifted forward. Not sure on the reasons for his ommission from the panel but he would definitely contribute in a game like we have tomorrow evening.

wing back (Offaly) - Posts: 116 - 21/06/2013 09:57:22    1412013

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Call it lads.....Waterford not the team of old, but will be soar and out with a point to prove. But Offaly have some very big lads in the forwards who are very wristy hurlers to boot. Think we might get the goals.......Offaly by 4

Anyone else want to hazard a pediction???

wing back (Offaly) - Posts: 116 - 22/06/2013 17:48:55    1412875

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