Shane Dooley Retirement
Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2023 2:30 pm
Surprised to see no mention of this. Such a central figure in Offaly hurling for so long.
An excellent free taker, especially from long range.
So many goals come to mind.
The long balls over the top against Galway and Wexford; gathered and dispatched. The rockets against Dublin and Cork.
His performances against Laois in the 2016 Leinster championship and Limerick in the 2017 league fixture were outstanding. His role in Tullamore's incredible run during the 2009-10 seasons was pivotal.
In 2007, he was a key member of the U21 side which defeated Kilkenny in Nowlan Park. I' have no inside knowledge, but I imagine that largely forgotten result was important in sustaining belief in Offaly hurling in the years that followed.
Between 2007-2013 the Offaly panel did an incredible job regaining a foothold on the hurling ladder. I am not a big fan of hard luck stories but there is rarely a month goes by I don't think about what might have been against Galway, Cork and Waterford. Wins against Wexford and retaining our position as the team that Limerick hated to hurl were often too easily dismissed at the time. The team were anchored by Mullins and later Dempsey in goals, Franks, Kenny and Hanniffy at the back, with Brian Carroll, Joe Bergin and Dooley providing the firepower.
I suppose its natural given the success our county enjoyed during the 80s and 90s that the players who came later are judged by high standards.
I never saw the men of 69 hurl but I don't believe that their greatness was diminished by the accomplishments of others who came later. I'd apply a similar policy the those who hurled when our glory days had ended.
Anyone can tell you what a lad isn't or what he didn't win, tell me what he was. To paraphrase Jay Landsman 'when Shane Dooley was good, he was one of the best we had'
An excellent free taker, especially from long range.
So many goals come to mind.
The long balls over the top against Galway and Wexford; gathered and dispatched. The rockets against Dublin and Cork.
His performances against Laois in the 2016 Leinster championship and Limerick in the 2017 league fixture were outstanding. His role in Tullamore's incredible run during the 2009-10 seasons was pivotal.
In 2007, he was a key member of the U21 side which defeated Kilkenny in Nowlan Park. I' have no inside knowledge, but I imagine that largely forgotten result was important in sustaining belief in Offaly hurling in the years that followed.
Between 2007-2013 the Offaly panel did an incredible job regaining a foothold on the hurling ladder. I am not a big fan of hard luck stories but there is rarely a month goes by I don't think about what might have been against Galway, Cork and Waterford. Wins against Wexford and retaining our position as the team that Limerick hated to hurl were often too easily dismissed at the time. The team were anchored by Mullins and later Dempsey in goals, Franks, Kenny and Hanniffy at the back, with Brian Carroll, Joe Bergin and Dooley providing the firepower.
I suppose its natural given the success our county enjoyed during the 80s and 90s that the players who came later are judged by high standards.
I never saw the men of 69 hurl but I don't believe that their greatness was diminished by the accomplishments of others who came later. I'd apply a similar policy the those who hurled when our glory days had ended.
Anyone can tell you what a lad isn't or what he didn't win, tell me what he was. To paraphrase Jay Landsman 'when Shane Dooley was good, he was one of the best we had'