Offaly hurling folk hero urges minors to have fun but give it everything in pursuit of glory

THE sense of one that got away, rueful reflections on what might have been remained in the air but there was still a mood of satisfaction and optimism as Offaly minor hurlers were presented with their Leinster championship medals at a lunch in the Bridge House, Tullamore on Sunday afternoon.

Parents, friends and County Board officers gathered to pay tribute to an exciting young team who lit up the hurling world last year with the quality and intensity of their performances. They brought back fond memories of former glories during a sensational run to the All-Ireland final, with their victories over Laois in the Leinster final and Clare in the All-Ireland semi-final particularly pleasing.

It almost culminated in the ultimate as they had victory snatched from their grasp by Tipperary in a thrilling All-Ireland final in Kilkenny. Offaly were the better team on the day and within touching distance of glory when an injury time Tipp goal denied them in the most gut wrenching of circumstances.

Despite that, the squad of players brought so much joy and pride to Offaly and fittingly, one of the county's folk heroes and most skilful hurlers, John Troy was on hand to present their Leinster medals.

County Board chairman Michael Duignan spoke about the anguish of their loss as said he was “still devastated”. He grimaced: “I don't want to mention the All-Ireland final. I can't get over it. It broke my heart on the day and it is still breaking my heart but what ye did during the year, the journey ye brought us on, the crowds we had at our matches. . .”

John Troy told the players to give it their full commitment but to remember that it is a sport and enjoy it.

He spoke eloquently about what their performances meant to him and former players. “I went to the Leinster final, All-Ireland semi-final and final and to be out on the road again was great. Coming back from Thurles, we said it was great to be in a pile up of Offaly cars and discussing hurling and the future of Offaly hurling.

“The good thing was watching the lads this year. They gave one of the best performances in the All-Irland final and certainly didn't deserve to lose but that is hurling. That is the way it goes. To look at the lads hurling, it looked like the old Offaly way. It looked good. Lads got possession and for young men, they made the right decision on a high percentage of the time. The real good thing about it and going back to the Offaly way, when they didn't have the ball, they fought for everything. Credit to them, that is not always the way hurling games go now and when possession is gone, it is gone but the lads worked so hard. It was something I remember as a young lad.”

He was asked about how he developed his own skills and retained them. “When I was young, all I ever did was hurl. 5-6 hours a day, repetition, repetition. Looking at the lads, they have plenty of ability. There is two stages to go to make senior level and you don't do things much differently but things happen quicker. I think looking at these lads and their ability, I would be very hopeful a high percentage will make the next step.”

The Lusmagh man also talked about expectations. “Every team carries expectations but you must remember that hurling is a sport and sport is a term I use to have fun. You have to have fun while you are doing it and if you don't, you will lose that bit of edge.”

Troy also urged team managements to let the lads hurl and “produce their natural ability”. He concluded: “If we can get that mix together, I think those lads have huge potential. We shouldn't put much pressure on them because there is enough things going on in life. They have exams and they have college, life and everything but I believe if they have the interest to go the whole way, they certainly have the ability and we will all be right behind them.”

Mr Duignan thanked the management and back room team, fellow County Board officers; clubs; players; schools; parents.

“Without players we don't have anything. We do what we do for the love of it and we will continue to do that as long as ye give yere all. The jerseys are sacred and you have to keep working hard. We will be back here with All-Ireland's and I firmly believe that. Without ambition, you have zero. I believe in everyone of ye, ye believe in yourselves and I know everyone in this room believes in you.”

Team manager Leo O'Connor noted that he has been in Offaly for four years and described it as an “absolute pleasure” to be involved. He spoke about the satisfaction he felt at the progress of players during his time here as some have gone onto the county senior panel and others will make that jump.

The Limerick man described 2022 as the pinnacle, stating that the way they hurled was a testament to their character. He said they had been hurling that way since U-14 level and went on to issue a lengthy list of thanks.

Praising the County Board, he stated that stepping stones had been put in place by previous officers but it had been taken to a new level by the new board, led by Michael Duignan.

O'Connor praised his own backroom team for their “forward thinking” and added: “It is huge to be here today and unfortunately we didn't get over the last five minutes in the All-Ireland final.”

He reserved his strongest praise for the players and the level they went to this year. Stating that they hadn't an ounce of trouble from any of them, he said: “Be extremely proud of yourselves and what ye have done”.

He also thanked parents, noting that they had travelled the length and breath of the country to get things right.

He concluded by thanking the people of Offaly for accepting him. “I really appreciate it and my family does. It has been a pleasure. Long may it continued and as long as I am wanted in Offaly, I will be here.”

Chairman of Leinster Council, Pat Teehan said: “You won the aclaim of not just Offaly people but people all over the country who marvelled at the wonderful hurling you played. You had the exuberance of youth and it was wonderful to witness. Young men who clearly enjoyed themselves and played hurling with a smile on your face.

“While the All-Ireland final may have eluded you in the cruellest of circumstances, you lost nothing in defeat. The manner in which you performed, in victory and defeat, was a huge credit to you.”

Mr Teehan said their performances demonstrated that Offaly are no longer there to make up the numbers and with the right commitment and dedication, can now aspire to greater things.

Special presentations were made to Leo O'Connor and his selectors, Johnny Pilkington, Martin Cashen and Hughie Hannon.

The Offaly panel was: Dan Ravenhill, Durrow; Richard Bracken, Kilcormac-Killoughey; Fionn Carney, Ballyskenach-Killavilla; Robert Carney, Ballyskenach-Killavilla; Ajay Cleary, Coolderry; Shane Connolly, Coolderry; Daire Daly, St Rynagh's; Jack Daly, Tullamore; Paddy Dooley, Kinnitty; Conor Doyle, Clara; Ricky Fitzsimons, Birr; Liam Flynn, Clara; Ronan Flynn, Belmont; Niall Furlong, Tullamore; Ter Guinan , Kilcormac-Killoughey; Daniel Hand, Kilcormac-Killoughey; Liam Hoare, Carrig & Riverstown; Brecon Kavanagh, Kilcormac-Killoughey; Leigh Kavanagh, Kilcormac-Killoughey; Ruairi Kelly, Lusmagh; Caelum Larkin, Carrig & Riverstown; James Liffey, Shinrone; Gearoid Maher, Shinrone; James Mahon, Kilcormac-Killoughey; Cillian Martin, Tullamore; James Morkan, Shinrone; Mark Mulrooney, Kilcormac-Killoughey; Liam O'Riordan, Ballyskenach-Killavilla; David O'Rourke, Shamrocks; Shane Rigney, St Rynagh's; Cathal Robinson, Kinnitty; Marc Ryan, Coolderry; Adam Screeney, Kilcormac-Killoughey; Donal Shirley, Tubber; Killian Spain, Drumcullen; Harry Sweeney, Kilcormac-Killoughey.