The man behind the wire: End of season leaves Offaly hurling world under no illusions about long road ahead

THE difference a couple of weeks made, the impact of a couple of results have been profound on Offaly hurling.

Three weeks out from the end of the season, Offaly hurling was on a high as they prepared for the Joe McDonagh Cup final and the All-Ireland U-20 Hurling Championship final against Cork.

Unfortunately both those results went wrong and it all leaves Offaly hurling at a crossroads. People should not be despondent and there is no requirement for any pressing of panic buttons.

It has still been a good season, a campaign of some progress by the seniors while the U-20s brought a huge buzz of excitement to their county, generating a fantastic volume of anticipation as they went to the All-Ireland final.

Yet it is impossible to escape the feeling of disappointment at the moment. Had Offaly won both of those finals, this reflection on the year would be a very different one. Had they won one of them, its tone would be very different with very little undercurrent of negativity pervading it.

Unfortunately, Offaly lost both of them and it means that there is a feeling not only of realism floating through the county but also one of doubt about future prospects.

This article is primarily about the seniors but any discussion on them must include reference to the U-20 hurlers.

They were magnificent as they won the Leinster title with big knockout wins over Galway, Dublin and Wexford. They brought great joy to supporters and thousands made the trip to Carlow and Thurles for the Leinster and All-Ireland finals. They brought so much joy to people and while Cork was a bridge too far in the All-Ireland final, Offaly competed very well in the first half in particular and were not 100 miles away.

That game has been debated in depth in this column and in other places. There is no need to rekindle controversial incidents, sending offs that weren't at this stage. They happened but they won't change the result and Offaly need to move on.

Members of this U-20 hurling squad will change the face of the Offaly senior hurling team in the next three years. Members of last year's minors still have another two years at U-20 level and a big challenge facing Offaly hurling is how to manage their introduction to the senior team and when.

There will be a temptation to throw Adam Screeney and Dan Ravenhill into the senior mix very quickly, perhaps even next year with Brecon Kavanagh following quick on their heels.

Protecting those young players, however, is of paramount importance. The trio have all had injuries this year and have plenty of physical developing to do, particularly in the case of Screeney and Kavanagh. Putting them and others into big senior games before their time would not be in anyone's interest, especially the players, and it is a tough call for the people charged with making it: Senior manager Johnny Kelly and U-20 boss, Leo O'Connor.

The big target for Offaly in the next two years is victory in the All-Ireland U-20 Hurling Championship. While reaching the All-Ireland U-20 hurling final in 2023 may have been a year ahead of schedule for many of the team, there is absolutely no guarantee they will get back there. Leinster will be a real minefield in the next two seasons but there is no doubting that this group of players have the ability, quality and aptitude to win this grade and that is the priority for Offaly GAA.

In a strange, unintended way, Offaly staying in the Joe McDonagh Cup could assist the process of introducing the younger player into senior fare. It is a much kinder environment to blood in young players than the savage intensity of the big teams in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship and it does create an opportunity to give some of them their head. Two older members of the U-20 team, Charlie Mitchell and Sam Bourke played senior for Offaly this year while Joe Hoctor and Cathal King were unused subs in the final game against Tipperary.

The All-Ireland final against Cork did show that Offaly have a lot of work to do on their physicality and athleticism. It can't be at the expense of their natural hurling ability but without getting at least some of the way up to the Munster teams, Offaly could get more hard lessons.

At senior level, that physicality and athleticism is also a big challenge. Offaly's final game in the All-Ireland senior hurling preliminary quarter-final against Tipperary was not pleasant. The 7-38 to 3-18 scoreline said it all while Tipperary's demise at the hands of Galway last Sunday did not exactly provide consolation for Offaly.

Suffice to say that Tipperary proved beyond all doubt that Offaly are a second tier county entirely on merit and as things stand, the Joe McDonagh Cup is the right place for them. It will take the U20 hurlers to change this but their progression into top tier senior hurlers is not written in stone and, really, Offaly needs to develop a second outstanding underage team to supplement them.

And a sizeable number of the present standard bearers have a big part to play. It may have went wrong at the end but they have shown great desire and hunger. You still have to be well able to hurl to produce some of the performances they did and what they do in the coming few years is every bit as important as what the younger players do. Some of them will naturally drift away as the younger players emerge. Shane Dooley and David King are near the end of their county career, particularly Dooley, a couple may not give the commitment that is required and some won't be good enough but what the bulk of them do, the condition they get into and the way they perform is absolutely pivotal.

The presence of Joe Hoctor and Cathal King on the Offaly panel for the last game were indicative of the problems Offaly faced this year. They were never likely to be used and are players for the future but Offaly had to draft them up. They have been hamstrung with injuries and absentees the whole year. Ross Ravenhill missed most of the season with injury while a second cruciate ended Oisin Kelly's campaign and others had spells on the sidelines.

Offaly almost did everything that was asked of them. They were very consistent in the league as they won Division 2 and promotion back to Division 1 and they then qualified for the Joe McDonagh Cup final with a round to spare. They opted to field a second string team in that final round against Carlow, shipping a 1-27 to 0-14 defeat.

The team selected that day has come under scrutiny but Offaly had come through a gruelling schedule of games and they had earned the right to rest players and give injuries a chance to recuperate. All opinions about that are valid but that result was not the reason Offaly lost the final to Carlow. They suffered a heartbreaking 2-30 to 1-32 extra time defeat to Carlow and it was a game that could have swung either way. Indeed Offaly looked to have it when they got in front near the end and they had a chance of forcing a penalty shootout at the death.

It didn't happen and that defeat followed by the Tipperary one showed why Offaly are in the second tier. Results don't lie and for all their heart and character, they weren't quite good enough – though it could so easily have been a different story in the Joe McDonagh Cup.

While it might not be a bad thing to be still in the Joe McDonagh Cup for another year, it is important for Offaly to get out of it now; to get back into the championship proper and start raising the bar against the better teams.

It will be a major surprise if Johnny Kelly is not back at the helm to steer the ship next year. The Portumna man had the squad going well for the most part this year and there does not appear to be any appetite for a change – it would have been better if the season had ended after the Joe McDonagh Cup final rather than an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final but it is also good to know where they stand and how far the road ahead is. And let no one be under any illusions about this: it is a long road.

The following is a brief reflection on how the Offaly players played this year, based on the panel from the last game against Tipperary and those that played in the Joe McDonagh Cup final. Ratings are out of 10.

Stephen Corcoran

Stephen Corcoran had a steady, consistent year. He only made a couple of mistakes and did his primary goalkeeping duties professionally. Rating – 7.

Ben Conneely

Ben Conneely reached a consistently high level in what many regard as his best position: corner back. He had a couple of outstanding games and defended solidly. Rating – 8.

Ciaran Burke

Ciaran Burke is a traditional type full back. He was excellent in some games as he commanded the edge of the square and made surging runs up field. Rating – 7.

David King

Now one of the elder statesmen on the team, David King has been a great servant to Offaly hurling. He had another decent year in the defence. Rating – 7.

Jack Clancy

A versatile performer, Jack Clancy played in defence, midfield and attack for Offaly. He has a lot going for him with the pace and physique to trouble teams. Still more work to do but he showed he has the desire for this level. Rating – 6.

Jason Sampson

Jason Sampson really grew into his own as a county hurler this year. He was handed a new role at centre half back and adapted very well to this as well as revelling in the captaincy. One of the big success stories of the year, he occasionally fulfilled the role as a spare man in defence. Rating – 9.

Killian Samspon

Killian Sampson has a lot to offer and he had a good year in the Offaly defence. A good user of the ball, his influence can increase in the coming year. Rating – 7.

Eimhin Kelly

Eimhin Kelly missed some time through injury and this disrupted his season. He showed flashes of what he is capable of. Rating – 6.

Sam Bourke

Sam Bourke came onto the team for the Joe McDonagh Cup final and the Tipperary game. He played at midfield for both those games and it will take him time to adapt to senior level. He was a key figure on the U-20 team at centre half back and had some outstanding games for them. Questions were asked about the decision to give him his debut in the Joe McDonagh Cup final a week before the All-Ireland U-20 final and the impact this may have had on him but Johnny Kelly would not have played him unless he needed to and Bourke is clearly a senior county player in the making. Rating – 6.

Brian Duignan

Brian Duignan brings something different to the table for Offaly. He can float in and out of games but when he is on song, he really troubles opposing defences. Sometimes he appears a little bit anxious but if he can find true consistency, he has the potential to be a very important and central player for Offaly. Rating – 6.

Eoghan Cahill

Eoghan Cahill's scoring once again commanded the utmost of respect. He generally managed to hit double figures between frees and play. The Birr man can miss the odd one but is now very much Offaly's main forward. Rating – 9.

Adrian Cleary

Adrian Cleary was an ever present on the Offaly team and while he also played in 2022, this was the year when he really established himself. He was asked to drop deep as an extra defender in a couple of games and really prospered in this role while he also impressed as a more conventional attacker. He missed a late chance of forcing a penalty shootout against Carlow in the Joe McDonagh Cup final but was one of Offaly's better players throughout the year. Rating – 8.

Cillian Kiely

Cillian Kiely showed his value to the Offaly team this year. One of Offaly's strongest hurlers, he has came and went from the panel since making his debut in 2015 but was clearly committed to the cause this year. He has some superb games and his power and direct running opened up defences. He kept his discipline well and with a bit more work on his fitness, his influence could be even bigger next year. Rating – 9.

Paddy Clancy

Paddy Clancy saw plenty of game time in the attack this year, between coming on as a sub and starting games. While he didn't fully establish himself yet, he had some very good spells and got some good scores. Rating – 6.

Charlie Mitchell

Charlie Mitchell was a busy man as he attempted a delicate juggling act between Offaly seniors and U-20s, who he captained. He was important to the senior team and he was asked to play for them ahead of a couple of round robin U-20 games. It was hard for him to have two masters and this may have affected him a little bit but he also showed his quality at senior level. Rating – 6.

Eamon Cleary

Eamon Cleary was sub goalkeeper to Stephen Corcoran and his only game was in the group one against Carlow. He only conceded one goal that day and did well. Rating – 6.

Dara Maher

Dara Maher's sending off in the first half was a pivotal moment in the Joe McDonagh Cup final. He was unlucky to be sent off and is in no way a dirty or indisciplined player. A very tidy defender, he showed that he is comfortable at this level. Rating – 7.

David Nally

David Nally was one of Offaly's most consistent players. He missed the Tipperary game with injury but was an automatic starter in every other game. Completely honest, he does the simple thing well and got some good scores. Rating – 8.

Eoghan Parlon

Eoghan Parlon saw very little game time this year. He started in that group defeat by Carlow and came on as a half time sub against Tipperary. A very honest player. Rating – 6.

Paddy Delaney

Paddy Delaney saw a fair bit of action this year before losing his place for the last two games, when he came on as a sub. Rating – 6.

Liam Langton

Liam Langton has loads of skill and natural ability but fell down the Offaly pecking order this year. Apart from that group game against Carlow, he was used in a sub in any other game that he featured in. Rating – 6.

John Murphy

John Murphy was generally used as a sub this year. He is always capable of getting a score and he will be challenging himself to win a starting role next year. Rating – 6

Shane Dooley

Shane Dooley has given tremendous service to Offaly hurling and owes no one anything. He dug in once again as he prolonged his career and he showed flashes of quality in the attack, though he was used mainly as a sub. 2023 is likely to be the swansong for his long career in the Offaly jersey. Rating – 6.

James Nally

James Nally started in the first championship win over Laois and the group game against Carlow. A hard working defender. Rating – 6.

Conor Langton

Conor Langton's only game was in that group defeat by Carlow and that was no place to judge players. Rating - 6.

Cathal O'Meara

Cathal O'Meara was another whose sole appearance was in the group against Carlow. Rating – 6.

Joe Hoctor

Joe Hoctor was a sub against Tipperary but didn't feature.

Cathal King

Cathal King was also called up for the Tipperary game but didn't feature.

Ross Ravenhill
An ankle injury in the league draw with Kildare ruled Ross Ravenhill out for the championship and he was a big loss. The Durrow man was once again performing with real consistency in the league, putting in the hard yards and getting through a lot of unseen work. He would have made a big difference in the Joe McDonagh Cup. Rating – 7.

Jack Screeney

Jack Screeney had a couple of very good games in the defence early in the league campaign as well as featuring in the Joe McDonagh Cup. He went off the panel before the end of the year but certainly has the potential to feature prominently again. Rating – 6.

Joey Keenaghan

Joey Keenaghan featured in several games, starting some and coming on in others. Generally midfield, he also played in defence. Very honest and hard working, he got a couple of good scores. Rating – 6.