www.uibhfhaili.com

team
1 james Dempsey
2 Mick Verney
3. David Kenny
4. Stephen Wynne
5. Del Morkam
6. Rory Hanniffy
7. Diarmud Horan
8. James Rigney
9. Connor Mahon
10 James Mulrooney
11. Derek Molloy
12. Brendan Murphy
13. Shane Dooley
14. Joe Bergin
15. Sean Ryan
sub's
16. Eoin Kelly
17. Eanna Murphy
18. Sean Coughlan
19 Mark Morkam
20. Colin Egan
21. Dermot Mooney
22. Brian Mulrooney
23. Chris McDonald
24. Barry Harding
25. David Frank's
26. Tommy Carroll

Firstly, the corner-forwards will have to switch sides. Dooley will have to be in the right. Colin Egan would be a better option, as a ball-catching half-forward. Looking forward to seeing James Rigney at midfield. A Rigney – Mahon midfield has a good blend to it.

Diarmuid Horan’s selection at wing back is an interesting one. Really the last time Horan started a game was in the Qualifier in Limerick (whenever that was), when he was carried off injured late in the game and missed the Waterford match. Thing is, everyone hurled well that evening, and while everyone else is judged on what they did last year, I feel Diarmuid’s selection at wing-back is based on that evening long ago.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that, and Diarmuid Horan is a fine hurler, but it’s a caveat nonetheless. I recall Horan did alot of hurling when he came on in an attacking-midfield role in Wexford Park more recently. Anyway, there’s always the option of switching Horan and Rigney if needs be.

Make no mistake, Laois will be well-up for this. It’s their All-Ireland, and their whole year revolves around this fixture. And facing a side who leaked 10 goals last time out isn’t ideal for Offaly either.

Daffodils starting to blossom. Rugby on the Telly. Laois do their best hurling at this time of year. Laois by a single point.

Rigney is wing back. Del is mid field and dooley is wing foward

Plain of the Herbs wrote:Firstly, the corner-forwards will have to switch sides. Dooley will have to be in the right. Colin Egan would be a better option, as a ball-catching half-forward. Looking forward to seeing James Rigney at midfield. A Rigney – Mahon midfield has a good blend to it.

Diarmuid Horan’s selection at wing back is an interesting one. Really the last time Horan started a game was in the Qualifier in Limerick (whenever that was), when he was carried off injured late in the game and missed the Waterford match. Thing is, everyone hurled well that evening, and while everyone else is judged on what they did last year, I feel Diarmuid’s selection at wing-back is based on that evening long ago.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that, and Diarmuid Horan is a fine hurler, but it’s a caveat nonetheless. I recall Horan did alot of hurling when he came on in an attacking-midfield role in Wexford Park more recently. Anyway, there’s always the option of switching Horan and Rigney if needs be.

Make no mistake, Laois will be well-up for this. It’s their All-Ireland, and their whole year revolves around this fixture. And facing a side who leaked 10 goals last time out isn’t ideal for Offaly either.

Daffodils starting to blossom. Rugby on the Telly. Laois do their best hurling at this time of year. Laois by a single point.

i think Horan's last game before this year was again kilkenny in the NHL in nowlan park he went off the panel after that game.
yes laois always give offaly trouble in the league as we were beaten well in portlaoise a few years ago the first year year under joe.

but the league in the last few years has been good to teams later on in the year who have done well in it Dublin,kilkenny,tipp the last few years
if this offaly team is to go places under Baker we will have to be beaten laois sunday if not it will be another year in division 1B.

I think myself offaly will have to much up front for laois and i also thought Colin Egan was worth his place in the forward line maybe he is carrying a knock
Diarmuid Horan hurl very well in the two games i seen him in this year in the walsh cup and i think when on form he can be a very good wing back great strike
of a ball and never gets hooked or block down and is good at the groung hurling.

Daffodils might be starting to bloom Rugby on the telly but offaly to win by 5 to 8 points with any luck.

strong team picked. Looks very strong when you count the Carroll, Parlon, Murray effect.

Won't be too many better half back lines in the country this year

Think offaly cud do well this year IF players commit and if management are good on the line and the trainin is good. This team has huge potential. Up to ollie to get it out of them.

Looking forward to travelling up from Carlow tomorrow For this game. The League starts here

il go for offaly 2-14 laois 1-11. we need to win all our home games if we are to push for promotion this year. good to see morkam back starting, i cant see molloy doing much damage at centre forward id rather see joe bergin at centre forward . strong looking team overall and we need to be on top form to put laois away especially with teddy mc as their manager this year.

Offaly 1-27 Laois 0-18

Handy win for Offaly helped by Laois bgetting a man sent off after 20mins for an off the ball incident.Did anyone see it I was fairly close to it but missed it as I was following the ball I was told the Laois man hit James Rigney with a hurl while he was on the ground.Some points on todays game

Willie Hyland is a class hurler he got some great scores and has great physical presence aswell.

Offaly should have switched Diarmuid Horan on to Hyland as James Rigney just wasnt big enough for him and found it tpoughgoing althogh he kept battling throughout

Diarmuid Horan looks like he is going to be a big boost for Offaly this year and Derek Morkan was otstanding again, he must be one of the best wing backs in Ireland at this stage although he was in midfield today

Great to see Brendan Murphy back he looks very fresh and took some great scores although he hit a few too many wides

Sean Ryan looked good and got some great scores and Offaly look to have a dangerous full forward line with him Dooley and Bergin and the likes of Cathal Parlon to come in to the team aswell

Conor Mahon seems to have improved his striking of the ball


Offaly should have been more ruthless they should have pushed on more in the second half they only won it by a point despite having an extra man.Scoring difference could be crucial come the end of the league.As I think Offaly,Antrim,Limerick and Wexford could be very close together in the fight for promotion

A good summing-up by DAF there. Just a few follow-up points: -

I wouldn’t say Rigney wasn’t able for Hyland’s physicality. In fact, Laois placed alot of puckout down Rigney’s side and Laois won ne’er a one of them from first phase. Yes, Hyland took alot of scores, but these tended to come from the ball going cross-field, Rigney following it and the ball going back to Hyland who was standing all alone.

Seán Ryan was doing well as a roving corner-forward in the first 20 minutes. He got on alot of ball and made good space for Bergin inside. A pity he was moved out to the wing. Seán is not a puckout target, whatever else he might be.

It was their All-Ireland and Laois, the dopes, blew it, getting a man sent off which effectively ended their challenge. McEvoy was picking on the wrong man by picking on Rigney. They’ll have to wait 12 months now before they play Offaly again.

The second half wouldn’t bother me. It’s always difficult to hurl when the result is beyond doubt. Save it for Wexford.

On final bugbear, today’s programme. I’m a keen programme collector and I thought today’s effort was deplorable. I don’t have a problem with the eight pages, or the €2. €2 is enough in these times. I’ve no problem with the advert for Allianz either, or the Irish Autism Action promotion (a favourite charity of PRO Niall Murphy), and the Lotto needs to be promoted as best it can. But surely we deserved something better than 2 pages of a newspaper report of the recent drawn match with DIT.

First day of the new league, they should have printed the fixtures for the campaign getting underway. Do Laois play Antrim at home or away? Who do Antrim play next? These were all questions that came to mind during the match. They might also have listed all previous Offaly v Laois NHL matches. Was 1-27 Offaly’s biggest score against Laois? Wudda been curious to know, just for pig-iron, like. For the record, it’s not, as Offaly hit 7-13 v Laois in 1966-67. It is the second-biggest tally though. A profile of an Offaly player might have been in order too – maybe even one of the newcomers, make them feel part of the panel. As it was they'd have been better off to charge 50c for a single A4 sheet of paper, doubled over. Apologies for the rant.

Plain of the Herbs wrote:A good summing-up by DAF there. Just a few follow-up points: -

I wouldn’t say Rigney wasn’t able for Hyland’s physicality. In fact, Laois placed alot of puckout down Rigney’s side and Laois won ne’er a one of them from first phase. Yes, Hyland took alot of scores, but these tended to come from the ball going cross-field, Rigney following it and the ball going back to Hyland who was standing all alone.

Seán Ryan was doing well as a roving corner-forward in the first 20 minutes. He got on alot of ball and made good space for Bergin inside. A pity he was moved out to the wing. Seán is not a puckout target, whatever else he might be.

It was their All-Ireland and Laois, the dopes, blew it, getting a man sent off which effectively ended their challenge. McEvoy was picking on the wrong man by picking on Rigney. They’ll have to wait 12 months now before they play Offaly again.

The second half wouldn’t bother me. It’s always difficult to hurl when the result is beyond doubt. Save it for Wexford.

On final bugbear, today’s programme. I’m a keen programme collector and I thought today’s effort was deplorable. I don’t have a problem with the eight pages, or the €2. €2 is enough in these times. I’ve no problem with the advert for Allianz either, or the Irish Autism Action promotion (a favourite charity of PRO Niall Murphy), and the Lotto needs to be promoted as best it can. But surely we deserved something better than 2 pages of a newspaper report of the recent drawn match with DIT.

First day of the new league, they should have printed the fixtures for the campaign getting underway. Do Laois play Antrim at home or away? Who do Antrim play next? These were all questions that came to mind during the match. They might also have listed all previous Offaly v Laois NHL matches. Was 1-27 Offaly’s biggest score against Laois? Wudda been curious to know, just for pig-iron, like. For the record, it’s not, as Offaly hit 7-13 v Laois in 1966-67. It is the second-biggest tally though. A profile of an Offaly player might have been in order too – maybe even one of the newcomers, make them feel part of the panel. As it was they'd have been better off to charge 50c for a single A4 sheet of paper, doubled over. Apologies for the rant.

The programme was shocking alright the least you would expect was a list of fixtures to be printed also it woudlnt be a bad idea to have a couple of those player profiles in every programme where they answer questions about themselves it would be nice to get to know the players a bit better surely they could have printed a match report from a previous Laois Offaly match .Also I think €13 is excessive for a match of this nature particularly whenthe terrace was €13 aswell

Ventured in to have a look today at how we're progressing and while I have no interest in doing a massive analysis of a game that shouldn't be analysed here are some general observations from my perspective.

I've never seen a player sent off before for commiting the same foul twice on the same player but Michael McEvoy seemed to be sent off for two late tackles on James Rigney. Game over at that early stage.

Diarmuid Horan oozes class and is unbelievably skillful and a half back line of Rigney'Hanniffy/Horan has a good look about it.

Shane Dooley was unbeliveably casual in that one on one just after half time. He had another 5 to 7 yards he could have ran into and didn't. Tighter games will follow where we'll need those chances converted.

Brendan Murphy needs to do 10 muinutes shooting practice after training for the next month.

Colin Egan looked off the pace when he came on. Disappointing.

Michael Verney still gives me the jitters anytime I see him go near a ball.

What is Paul Cleary's injury status? I'm getting kind of frustrated of seeing him walking around OCP in his Offaly tracksuit top and not actually playing.

Offaly got some brilliant scores today. You can only take each game on it's merits and some of the scoring today was of the highest quality.

Is it possible we are going to have the All Ireland Club Champions without a starting representative on the Offaly championship team this year. Damien Murray I can't see starting, nor Brian Carroll so that leaves only Cathal Parlon in my opinion.

Huge game now in Wexford. A win down there and we could really make a push for promotion but a loss and the home game against Antrim begins to look problematic.

Great to get going with a win.

On league Sunday on rte this evening when reviewing to Offaly game, Cyril Farrell finished by saying that "from a small playing pool Offaly will get 110% out of every player....."

Refreshing to hear that in fairness, and here's hoping for an honest and successful years endeavors for this team.

DAF wrote:

Plain of the Herbs wrote:A good summing-up by DAF there. Just a few follow-up points: -

I wouldn’t say Rigney wasn’t able for Hyland’s physicality. In fact, Laois placed alot of puckout down Rigney’s side and Laois won ne’er a one of them from first phase. Yes, Hyland took alot of scores, but these tended to come from the ball going cross-field, Rigney following it and the ball going back to Hyland who was standing all alone.

Seán Ryan was doing well as a roving corner-forward in the first 20 minutes. He got on alot of ball and made good space for Bergin inside. A pity he was moved out to the wing. Seán is not a puckout target, whatever else he might be.

It was their All-Ireland and Laois, the dopes, blew it, getting a man sent off which effectively ended their challenge. McEvoy was picking on the wrong man by picking on Rigney. They’ll have to wait 12 months now before they play Offaly again.

The second half wouldn’t bother me. It’s always difficult to hurl when the result is beyond doubt. Save it for Wexford.

On final bugbear, today’s programme. I’m a keen programme collector and I thought today’s effort was deplorable. I don’t have a problem with the eight pages, or the €2. €2 is enough in these times. I’ve no problem with the advert for Allianz either, or the Irish Autism Action promotion (a favourite charity of PRO Niall Murphy), and the Lotto needs to be promoted as best it can. But surely we deserved something better than 2 pages of a newspaper report of the recent drawn match with DIT.

First day of the new league, they should have printed the fixtures for the campaign getting underway. Do Laois play Antrim at home or away? Who do Antrim play next? These were all questions that came to mind during the match. They might also have listed all previous Offaly v Laois NHL matches. Was 1-27 Offaly’s biggest score against Laois? Wudda been curious to know, just for pig-iron, like. For the record, it’s not, as Offaly hit 7-13 v Laois in 1966-67. It is the second-biggest tally though. A profile of an Offaly player might have been in order too – maybe even one of the newcomers, make them feel part of the panel. As it was they'd have been better off to charge 50c for a single A4 sheet of paper, doubled over. Apologies for the rant.

The programme was shocking alright the least you would expect was a list of fixtures to be printed also it woudlnt be a bad idea to have a couple of those player profiles in every programme where they answer questions about themselves it would be nice to get to know the players a bit better surely they could have printed a match report from a previous Laois Offaly match .Also I think €13 is excessive for a match of this nature particularly whenthe terrace was €13 aswell

I asked at the stile why there wasn't a lower price for the terrace and I was told I'd have to write to the County Secretary to get an answer.

kinnittyman wrote:

DAF wrote:

Plain of the Herbs wrote:A good summing-up by DAF there. Just a few follow-up points: -

I wouldn’t say Rigney wasn’t able for Hyland’s physicality. In fact, Laois placed alot of puckout down Rigney’s side and Laois won ne’er a one of them from first phase. Yes, Hyland took alot of scores, but these tended to come from the ball going cross-field, Rigney following it and the ball going back to Hyland who was standing all alone.

Seán Ryan was doing well as a roving corner-forward in the first 20 minutes. He got on alot of ball and made good space for Bergin inside. A pity he was moved out to the wing. Seán is not a puckout target, whatever else he might be.

It was their All-Ireland and Laois, the dopes, blew it, getting a man sent off which effectively ended their challenge. McEvoy was picking on the wrong man by picking on Rigney. They’ll have to wait 12 months now before they play Offaly again.

The second half wouldn’t bother me. It’s always difficult to hurl when the result is beyond doubt. Save it for Wexford.

On final bugbear, today’s programme. I’m a keen programme collector and I thought today’s effort was deplorable. I don’t have a problem with the eight pages, or the €2. €2 is enough in these times. I’ve no problem with the advert for Allianz either, or the Irish Autism Action promotion (a favourite charity of PRO Niall Murphy), and the Lotto needs to be promoted as best it can. But surely we deserved something better than 2 pages of a newspaper report of the recent drawn match with DIT.

First day of the new league, they should have printed the fixtures for the campaign getting underway. Do Laois play Antrim at home or away? Who do Antrim play next? These were all questions that came to mind during the match. They might also have listed all previous Offaly v Laois NHL matches. Was 1-27 Offaly’s biggest score against Laois? Wudda been curious to know, just for pig-iron, like. For the record, it’s not, as Offaly hit 7-13 v Laois in 1966-67. It is the second-biggest tally though. A profile of an Offaly player might have been in order too – maybe even one of the newcomers, make them feel part of the panel. As it was they'd have been better off to charge 50c for a single A4 sheet of paper, doubled over. Apologies for the rant.

The programme was shocking alright the least you would expect was a list of fixtures to be printed also it woudlnt be a bad idea to have a couple of those player profiles in every programme where they answer questions about themselves it would be nice to get to know the players a bit better surely they could have printed a match report from a previous Laois Offaly match .Also I think €13 is excessive for a match of this nature particularly whenthe terrace was €13 aswell

I asked at the stile why there wasn't a lower price for the terrace and I was told I'd have to write to the County Secretary to get an answer.

As far as I know the admission prices are set nationally by the GAA