Messages

Here is the job spec for next senior hurling manager:

- Doesn't stir the pot or throw the county board under the bus or highlight it's ineptness
- Doesn't cost much
- Has enough of a profile that the county board said they got their man but not so much as that he can't be sacrificed when things go wrong
- Ability to bring the county forward - optional

100% box ticking exercise

The CB attitude is like moving cattle. Prod them with a stick and they will move in the direction you want them to but stop prodding and they will stand on the ditch filling their bellies and looking for a way to dodge the prodding.

We need a need breed of CB. One that is proactice, positive, brings new blood and ideas into the whole thing.

One person wont achieve anything but 5-6 with similar attitudes would be a start.

First half Kk used P Walsh as the spare man and he cut out everything but Dublin didnt have time around the middle to deliver accurately. I think thats the crucial bit. We played with  sweeper but thought of him as a safety net and middle 8-10 stood off allowing dub to score from distance or play around the sweeper or fouled when they tackled.

It looks tougher because we still associate Cork, Meath, Down, Kildare and Mayo with being genuine All Ireland contenders. Mayo aside none of them are. They are all in div2 on merit.

Without a horrendous goalkeeping mistake from Fermanagh we most likely would have come home with tail between our legs. Fermanagh were still winning by 2 in injury time, already relegated and with a covid depleted panel. That goal handed us the win. Yes we rescued it to a certain extent but a lot of it was Fermanagh shooting themselves in the foot.

Always find it interesting that this board in hopping when we lose and silent when we win.

Good solid win last night. Not much between the 2 teams. Conroy made a good contribution when he came on. Trying to play a lot of carrying and handpassing on a wet night when letting it in and putting opposition under pressure might have served better.

The lads on this panel are in a good place still. The talent is there and rather than throwing in the towel after an admittedly poor showing on Saturday now is the time to start working with these players and helping them to bridge the gap from where they are now to senior. Losing a minor game is never the end and it should really be the beginning for these players if handled correctly. County Board should be (in normal times) securing as many 3rd level places as possible for these lads as that is where development happens now after minor. Provide grants or scholarships for those who make Fitzgibbon panels and aim at 10+ Fitzgibbon players each year. It makes a huge difference skill, strength and crucially confidence wise.

Hugely disappointing. Laois just never got going. Offaly played some lovely hurling with Carey,egan and Quinn the main threats for them. We struggled to win ball and create space. At times with our running we crowded out our own players. A half back ran in first half, lost the ball and offaly played low ball thru the missing hb position for a point. That summed it up for me.

How many from last years team?

Underage is all about development and progressing these young players, creating a pathway to senior hurling, a lifelong attitude of trying to improve and enjoying the challenge. We would all love a successful minor team but lets not put too much pressure on these lads.

Can somebody phone Jack Nolan before tomorrow's game please. This is very difficult to listen to!

Give them a chance. Everyone has to start somewhere. I enjoy Carter. He is enthusiastic and generally quite well informed. Cant be easy talking for over an hour without making a few mistakes.

Rosenallis have the sticky defenders and legs to frustrate Clough Ballacolla's danger men. If they can avoid a shootout I think they will do it. Verdict Rosenallis by less than 3

If Kavanagh is out that is a colossal blow for RE. He has been flying it in last two games. Neither team impressed v the stronger teams in groups. RE lucky to draw with CB. BK very lucky to beat Camross. Lost to Rosenallis. Either team could kick start their year here with a big performance. Still think RE will sneak it however. 

Just a few questions. Rosenallis won this last year with a very youthful fast team. They look like they will stay up too. Did they generally compete in A or B football underage up along? I know some of their hurling teams more than hold their own in A but what about football? Were they generally strong B teams on their own?

People always give Timahoe a chance in this grade but its a few years since they really competed. They just havent seemed to click in recent years. Quigleys long term injuries seem to have taken a toll along with a lack of young players coming through.  Have they much at u15 and u17 level to luft them in coming years? I dont think SPG are running at all like they used to at underage.

11 deaths in the south in August and we dont even know if those people died 'with' or 'from' covid 19. Is it all a bit OTT?