Antrim Hurling

[johnnycool]

The rise of Offaly is unreal.

I didn't expect them to gain promotion this year anyway, I'd the Dubs and Waterford a good bit ahead of them, but fair play to Duignan and all involved in the Faithful fields development and infrastructure, it seems to be paying off.

Whether that's enough for a crack at a Leinster title or AI in the next while is anyone's guess, but it's good progress.

[JonnyD_]

I thought we were on top for most of this game, went a bit wayward at times in the second half but we found more space and took our chances

Conor Johnston was brilliant today

i agree he was well fed with the right ball, one of the biggest differences to previous games. as was james! the were afforded the right type of space for their games.

i thought laois were poor - some basics that didnt go well for them. and our boys took full advantage

[Upandover]

I think we have unearthed a few recently, but as I said we need them to baulk up a bit more..

Have you any others in mind that could make a splash in the next few years ?

Mcintosh from glenariffe perhaps?

Losing cunning and mcmanus have also been a big blow to us this season also.

[Around the glens]

Maybe I'm late to the party but seen seamus callanan involved with offaly. Not a bad man to have in and he seems to be working well with their forwards.

[podge]

The rise of Offaly is unreal.

I didn't expect them to gain promotion this year anyway, I'd the Dubs and Waterford a good bit ahead of them, but fair play to Duignan and all involved in the Faithful fields development and infrastructure, it seems to be paying off.

Whether that's enough for a crack at a Leinster title or AI in the next while is anyone's guess, but it's good progress.

It just goes to show you what is possible with a bit of leadership and direction. 

[Milltown Row2]

The rise of Offaly is unreal.

I didn't expect them to gain promotion this year anyway, I'd the Dubs and Waterford a good bit ahead of them, but fair play to Duignan and all involved in the Faithful fields development and infrastructure, it seems to be paying off.

Whether that's enough for a crack at a Leinster title or AI in the next while is anyone's guess, but it's good progress.

It just goes to show you what is possible with a bit of leadership and direction. 

It's got a lot to do with location also, the commitment level they have in organising games in Leinster and Munster for that matter is better than Antrim, for clubs and schools organising games it's harder, the schools also playing at a higher grade, it presents itself with better level of games and better exposure brings these lads on, if Offaly take their eye off things then they will be back to square one.

I'd be keen to hear your ideas on bringing on the leadership and direction required. And how you'd find it. That's before we actually find the players to do it

[Slemishgael]

So given the Carlow result, we survive another year in Division One?

[Gold]

So given the Carlow result, we survive another year in Division One?

Yes

[Slemishgael]

Next year will be our 6th consecutive season in Division One. Thankfully we've avoided relegation down to division two. 5 weeks to now knuckle down for Wexford in the championship. They've been relegated to 1B for 2026 so will be interesting to see how we perform against them in April. Hopefully we can get a result - it'll be a big ask down in Wexford Park but surely a game we'll have targeted. Would be great to see our under 20s go on a good run in Leinster this year also. Micky and the lads have a decent panel there. Hopefully a few more players can break through to senior soon. We need to retain as many of these lads as possible and hope they stick at it as there's good bunch of players there. Congrats to Cross and Passion also on winning the Paddy Buggy yesterday. Watched the game and they did well to hang in there at the end.

[JonnyD_]

Are the hurlers heading off somewhere for their spring training camp as they did so the last few years?

[Saffrongael]

Are the hurlers heading off somewhere for their spring training camp as they did so the last few years?

Portugal on Thursday

[Milltown Row2]

Are the hurlers heading off somewhere for their spring training camp as they did so the last few years?

Portugal on Thursday

I doubt very much if will be a lite session.

They need to go hammer and tongs, the draw hasn't been kind this year, while Offaly beat us handy it's them and Wexford that needs to be improved on.

[JonnyD_]

must be serious benefit in getting a group like that together with no distractions for the best part of a week.
offaly got us when we were still dancing to the wrong the song, we should be greatly improved from that game