Messages

No,  just no.

[Dave Claffey]

Wasn't it Offaly that the Irish World wrote about the London team not even being offered a cup of tea after a national league game?

Yeah, there was something about that alright. I think the journalist was sacked after that for upsetting the good folk of Offaly. Mind you there wasn't much of a public clammer to get him re-instated. I think most were glad to see the back of him - one of those know all - know nothing characters.
On the subject of Offaly, I played my first ever senior match for London against Offfaly in a  challenge game in Ruislip back in '91. Dave Claffey from Offaly, who I knew to see, was playing for Lonodn, but what I didn't realize at the time was that Dave had an identical twin brother Vinny. Half way through the second half I see what I thought was Dave running towards goal wearing an Offaly jersey, with the ball and I'm trying to figure out what is going on. Possibly the only case of twin brothers playing against each other in a game of inter county football.

Wasn't as good as his legendary brother Vinny!

[Gracefield]

If the draw's keep going London's way we could see them in a all ireland 1/4 final 

Who knew, you can now beat the worst team in the country at home and be considered a good bet for the quarters. Fair play to London but some of the hype has been ridiculous...

Well in fairness, had they drawn Kildare, I don't think many would have been predicting any more from London. It is just that people will view Waterford as one of the weaker teams, so believe that London at least have a chance.
You also can't forget that they drew with Mayo over the course of 70 minutes. Yes Fermanagh were poor, no one is denying that..... but it was just good for London that for once they weren't the worst.
There is another issue here too. For years and years during the so called good times in Ireland, London was a forgotten place. I can remember playing in your own Tullamorre and being called a bunch of Orange b~~stards by members of the crowd (not just in Offaly mind you) and also being treated like tinkers in Gracefields. However, now London is back in vogue in terms of there being a more vibrant Irish community there and plenty of young lads and girls considering it as a possible destination, so obviously there is going to be more interest in the place. There aren't too many people in Ireland who don't have a relative living and working in London, so there is always going to be a certain affinity to the place.

Stawy away from there! ... 

A bit shocked at the manor of Dublin's victory last night, was in Tullamore for the q-final vs Offaly and thought Kildare were a well-drilled and efficient outfit. Just goes to show how far ahead Dublin are really.

If the draw's keep going London's way we could see them in a all ireland 1/4 final 

Who knew, you can now beat the worst team in the country at home and be considered a good bet for the quarters. Fair play to London but some of the hype has been ridiculous...

Great achievement by London, but an away draw would be the end of them I'm afraid

Yes!

Personally, I would recommend the iPod, It's much cheaper and no bill pay.

Anybody know of any good Android music apps? Just got gtunes there, anybody know if it is safe, reliable etc.

Also, Clerkin was taken off at h/t. He was anonymous, very surprised.

Unbelievable performance. Still shocked over it really. Everyone on the Offaly side did their part tonight.
1. Mulhall- Excellent under the high ball, brilliant display.
2. Darby- Got a bit of a roasting when he was on McManus for a while but he was very lively and got on a lot of ball. Good game.
3. Quinn- Excellent, very powerful.
4. Pender- Very, very good
5. Lonergan- 2pts. Good game
6. Scott Brady- His tackling was tremendous, super performance
7. Niall Darby- Played pretty well
8. Richie Dalton- 3 pts and a pretty decent display
9. Niall Smith- Really got on top in the 2nd half, caught a lot of ball. A great display but he could have seen red.
10. Ross Brady- Scored a great free and played well.
11. Ciaran McManus- Tremendous- Covered every blade of grass
12. Karol Slattery- Created the 1st goal by leaving Dick Clerkin on his arse with a shoulder and popping the ball loose.
13. Bernard Allen- Got a lot of ball but wasted some of it. A decent display
14. Ken Casey- Excellent in the play-maker role.
15. Niall McNamee- Scored 1-4 from play and caused problems all day.

Disappointed to see Monaghan ounumbering us in the Stand and terraces. It must have been 2:1

1958 to be exact.

Offaly starting team is very weird.
1. Alan Mulhall
2. Brian Darby
3. Joe Quinn
4. Sean Pender
5. Stephen Lonergan
6. Scott Brady
7. Niall Darby
8. Richie Dalton
9. Niall Smith
10. Ross Brady
11. Ciaran McManus
12. Karol Slattery
13. Bernard Allen
14. Ken Casey
15. Niall McNamee

Cribben must be more clueless than I thought.

Paul Finlay and McManus will have their way with the Offaly full back line. I reckon Sean Pender will hold his own but I can really see Scott Brady and Brian Darby getting roasted. They could definitely put up a big score tomorrow.

I think Niall Smith will be able to break-even or better Clerkin at mid-field and we could certainly cause some problems for that Monaghan back-line. Still, no matter which way I look at it, I can't see anything other than a comfortable enough Monaghan win.

AZ, a bit optimistic with your Offaly v Monaghan prediction!