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I know this idea was beat to death awhile back here, but is there any support for a regional competition or even a once off blitz day? Dublin did it recently with the close season upon them they held a one day trial blitz and split the county up in different areas. Interestingly Ciaran Whelan appeared to be the best on view- probably not what they were hoping for. it might give some lads the chance the shine or even play alongside lads they might never get the chance to. There has to be a few footballers out in the wilds of place known for hurling such as Drumcullen, kinnity or Shinrone?? Or am I losing it

Anways, as the Dubs would have no history - perhaps if it were done in Offaly- we could divide the county up on old historical boundarys.
e.g.,
Ely O'Carroll- Birr, Kinnitty, Clareen etc
O'Connor Failghe- Edenderry, Rhode, Daingean, Geashill
Firceall O'molloy- Tullamore, Kilcormac, killurin
Delvin McCoughlan- Banagher, Cloghan, Ferbane
Kilcoursey (Fox country)- Clara, Tubber, Ballycumber ?

Design a jersey for each area along the colours of the above tribes and try and make the competition appealing. might be interesting to see say Shaper, Tommo Deehan and McManus on one team or Niall McNamee alongside some of the Reds; or Ger Rafferty with the Ferbane lads

it may be an idea for Richie Connor to try out or even for the county board for the summer time when club players have to wait 16 weeks between Offaly's first champiosnhip game and when they are annually dumped out of the qualifiers.

i think it would be a better way of choosing a county panel- dont agree with the previous years panel automatically being called into the squad when a new manager arrives- they should have to earn the shirt.

Just some thoughts as I cleared the frost off the car earlier............

It's a novel idea alright, but in reality such a competition would only be a series of trial games, which are already (or used to be when I was involved) organised on a regional basis. North v South etc etc.

I think it comes back to playing divisional teams in the county championship proper, mixed in with the stronger stand alone clubs like Rhode, Tullamore, Clara, etc etc.