Replying To Fairplayalways:  "look, he appears to to have stableized them and at least this league, upto Saturday, they were playing open attacking football, the fist couple of years of Maughans tenure were "Trapatoni" style with ferocious negative play and safety first which doesnt count on the scoreboard when the FT whistle blows..I sat down to watch Saturdays game and unfortunately another sporting issue I am involved in was ongoing and I was taking calls an whatspping as I watched. The bit I seen Offaly looked totally lost in Croke Park, and thats a strange thing for an Offaly man to say isnt it..the open space seemed alien to them and they appeared to struggle to even come to terms with it let alone master it and utilise it. Related it begs the question on the issue of lesse teams getting to play there and when they do, it can be a massacre. (12 points was a big defeat but not a massacre)

I seen Waterford many years ago too getting to a AI hurling semi final against the great kilkenny team, and hadnt been in CP in a few years, that particular team, and it rained before the game, apart from getting to grips with the huge spaces, Waterford players slipped and fell all over the place. Just saying how things can go wrong onto of every thing else. Kilkenny were used to CP week in week out and had no difficulties at all and won the game.

Maughan has done a nice job with Offaly, we got promoted, didnt think Ide see that at start of league based on other years, played nice football and ran up fairly decent tallies. Saturday, Derry were way more relaxex into the game, kicked on as if they played in CP on a regular basis, Offaly looked lost. I cant say Ide blame Johh Maughan for that, Derry havent been in CP too often either recently no more than Offaly. Derry had the players to win the game and adjusted well. Offalys 1-06 will not win you anything now a days nor wouldnt for the last 25 years or so...a bit of everthing happend Offaly...Divison 2 will be a test for them now next year..they have achieved their goal. THey were right to play the final, all divisons should have played their finals, its a joke with some teams not out for 3 weeks..."

Replying To supersub15:  "Offaly has made visual progress under John Maughan no doubt, he now has them in div.2 that's progress. Looking at them against Derry he has them built like little tanks, they are tenacious in key positions and Pacey, the bit I don't like in general is the blanket defence system with maximum possession as it can be counterproductive and I think it was at times.

I can only imagine the game with Louth will be a much tighter affair, in fact I wouldn't like to call it."

Replying To supersub15:  "Fairplayalways, commiserations on yesterdays result with Derry, I read on the HS home page where John Maughan is making "Offaly football great again." - can I ask in your own opinion what positives has he brought into the Offaly set up, is he the Messiah that Offaly football needs."

Replying To Fairplayalways:  "Offaly are all on about their forwards and fair enough, Louth have Sam Mulroy whom if he plays will probably score more on his own than 2 of Offalys current on form forwards...this man is capable of beating Offaly almost on his own on Sunday if things fall into place for him and Louth..this will be no easy game, no mistake about it."

Replying To MicktheMiller:  "Not a given win for Offaly in any way next Sunday. Big improvement needed."

Replying To MicktheMiller:  "Not a given win for Offaly in any way next Sunday. Big improvement needed."

Replying To CiarraiMick:  "Mick. Can you tell me what's the story with Cian Johnson. This lad was being talked up as the new Niall McNamee. He was an unreal talent but where is he gone?"

Replying To CiarraiMick:  "Mick. Can you tell me what's the story with Cian Johnson. This lad was being talked up as the new Niall McNamee. He was an unreal talent but where is he gone?"

Replying To MicktheMiller:  "Cian Johnson is recovering from an injury, involving surgeryI believe . He will be out of action for the championship. He is a great prospect."

Replying To sourmilk93:  "Think he could be injured or had been earlier this year"

Replying To Fairplayalways:  "He is or was to have surgery, to be honest Offaly people keep talking about him as if "when he comes back" type of thing, but the reality is, he is not on the panel now, so no point bemoaning his loss for now, I am sure 31 other counties have similar players, its quiet possible when he does come back he may not have the form he had a few years ago, and its heading a few years now since he played..he may never be the player he was through no fault of his own...people change, time moves on..talking about a fellah who wont feature this year from what I hear."

Replying To Fairplayalways:  "He is or was to have surgery, to be honest Offaly people keep talking about him as if "when he comes back" type of thing, but the reality is, he is not on the panel now, so no point bemoaning his loss for now, I am sure 31 other counties have similar players, its quiet possible when he does come back he may not have the form he had a few years ago, and its heading a few years now since he played..he may never be the player he was through no fault of his own...people change, time moves on..talking about a fellah who wont feature this year from what I hear."

Replying To MicktheMiller:  "All Offaly supporters would hope to see Cian Johnson back in the Offaly jersey, and wish him the best in his recovery."

Replying To Fairplayalways:  "Yes but this constant referring to him as if hes just around the corner as in comeback almost..yes we would dearly love to have him back, from what I hear it wont be in the near future, so no point bemoaning his absence all the time (not you MicktheMiller let me say) we can only work with who we have available now or likely to have for the championship...Cian J as far as I know will not feature even if we did go on a lenghty championship run...."

Replying To MicktheMiller:  "Hold on. I just wished him a speedy recovery, nothing about a return being imminent. Chill out man."