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Full credit to westmeath for their win and maybe it's a case of westmeath improving a lot and offaly going the other direction but it's tough to understand how a county can fall from grace so spectacularly in such a short space of time. We the 80s and 90s just an exception and now offaly hurling is back at its normal standard or has something happened? Should they have kept their games in Birr? Is there any hope at underage? Must be depressing for people who remember the glory days. hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 01/05/2016 19:26:32 1851185 Link 0 |
The last time Offaly played Westmeath in the championship was 1976 in Croke Park. Westmeath won four years later Offaly won their first Leinster twelve months after their first All Ireland. This is a derby game and sure Westmeath have improved and Offaly gone back but there was never that big a difference jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1445 - 01/05/2016 20:14:17 1851193 Link 0 |
Fair play to Westmeath but it is a travesty what has happened to Offaly. Hurling needs more teams and to see the decline of Offaly is very disheartening. They have little talent coming through so these days are likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Sad times. LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2474 - 02/05/2016 08:41:25 1851206 Link 0 |
It is sad to see Offaly's decline but Offaly were never a strong hurling county until they won their first Leinster title in 1980.It took them 96 years to land that trophy and Offaly went on to enjoy 20 fruitful years winning four All Irelands and numerous Leinster titles.Unfortunately they have disappeared off the radar and it doesn't look like those heady days are coming back. cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 02/05/2016 10:25:32 1851229 Link 0 |
Given what has happened in Wexford in the past 10 years I cant exactly sing from the pulpit on this one, and our minors play there in 2 weeks time which is a mighty banana skin. But overall I think we have arrested our slide in a way Offaly have not, at least we are competing at least at most grades of underage with some success at U21 in particular. Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 02/05/2016 10:57:15 1851239 Link 0 |
Full credit to westmeath for their win and maybe it's a case of westmeath improving a lot and offaly going the other direction but it's tough to understand how a county can fall from grace so spectacularly in such a short space of time. We the 80s and 90s just an exception and now offaly hurling is back at its normal standard or has something happened? Should they have kept their games in Birr? Is there any hope at underage? Must be depressing for people who remember the glory days. uibhfhaili1986 (Offaly) - Posts: 1296 - 02/05/2016 13:17:54 1851308 Link 0 |
Pinkie, keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 02/05/2016 14:54:42 1851339 Link 0 |
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/interview-paudie-butler-former-national-hurling-coordinator-318391.html roundball (Tipperary) - Posts: 2514 - 02/05/2016 15:29:01 1851355 Link 0 |
Can anyone be really that surprised westmeath beat offaly. Offaly are on a downward spiral for 10 years now or more....its true what they say..the 99 semi final vs cork was the last hurrah of a great naturally gifted team. Westmeath on the other hand have been putting a lot of work into underage hurling, good consistent minor teams for the last 5 years or so and in that time coul preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 733 - 02/05/2016 16:25:10 1851372 Link 0 |
Can anyone be really that surprised westmeath beat offaly. Offaly are on a downward spiral for 10 years now or more....its true what they say..the 99 semi final vs cork was the last hurrah of a great naturally gifted team. Westmeath on the other hand have been putting a lot of work into underage hurling, good consistent minor teams for the last 5 years or so and in that time could count themselves unlucky not to get to a leinster final or two. The u21s are not far off either. I think offaly are at their lowest ebb ever and I think it will improve for them. They are too proud of a hurling county with 4 all irelands,to let it die. Westmeath will have a few good years, they must be coming into their peak in the next year or two and will be awkward opponents for anybody. preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 733 - 02/05/2016 16:30:03 1851374 Link 0 |
Preddan, keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 02/05/2016 16:34:12 1851376 Link 0 |
Winning by double scores is not a big deal in hurling.If a team gets on top of another it doesn't take long to rack up a score.Westmeath beating Offaly is not a surprise.Kerry beating Offaly was not a surprise.The only surprise is some people are surprised. cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 02/05/2016 16:44:29 1851379 Link 0 |
Keeper 7 preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 733 - 02/05/2016 16:47:47 1851382 Link 0 |
Get a grip, lads. Westmeath are a division below Offaly & have been for a few years. Don't pretend that the scoreline isn't shocking. keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 02/05/2016 17:31:10 1851394 Link 0 |
I think its true what Ger loughnane said they should get funding like the Dubs did a couple of years ago get somebody in to get the show on the road, Offaly were allways competing but . johnwhite12 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 306 - 02/05/2016 17:43:53 1851400 Link 0 |
Can anyone be really that surprised westmeath beat offaly. Offaly are on a downward spiral for 10 years now or more....its true what they say..the 99 semi final vs cork was the last hurrah of a great naturally gifted team. Westmeath on the other hand have been putting a lot of work into underage hurling, good consistent minor teams for the last 5 years or so and in that time could count themselves unlucky not to get to a leinster final or two. The u21s are not far off either. I think offaly are at their lowest ebb ever and I think it will improve for them. They are too proud of a hurling county with 4 all irelands,to let it die. Westmeath will have a few good years, they must be coming into their peak in the next year or two and will be awkward opponents for anybody. hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 02/05/2016 17:48:46 1851402 Link 0 |
The last great display I can remember of all the old skills of hurling ie overhead pulling ground hurling etc was Offaly in the 2000 ai semis final against Cork. I will never forget that fantastic display of every hurling skill. Since then ground hurling has been lost along with offaly hurling. What a pity on both counts. ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 693 - 02/05/2016 19:01:53 1851420 Link 0 |
Here's a crazy idea... manfromdelmonte (UK) - Posts: 541 - 02/05/2016 19:10:44 1851424 Link 0 |
That's an excellent idea.The Meath hurling area is mostly bordering Westmeath.I wouldn't think the likes of Gerry Mcentee would be delighted. jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1445 - 02/05/2016 20:40:33 1851447 Link 0 |
I dont think anybody is surprised Offaly lost, but I think people are sad to see their decline. Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 03/05/2016 09:15:06 1851475 Link 0 |