From an Offaly POV, Sunday is more of a ‘day out and give them a lash’ rather than having any realistic chance of winning.
This is bonus territory for Offaly, with very few outside the county expecting them to get this far.
Many of the players had Monday & Tuesday after the Kildare game booked off.
Co. Championships were due to start in 3 weekends from now.
It’s a very young Offaly side, potentially 11 starters will have been involved with the u20 teams of 2023-2025. With David King and Jason Sampson departing last year, there is no player on the Offaly panel over 30.
Young Donal Shirley at centre back (ACL) and Offaly’s best hurler in Charlie Mitchell (heart issues) are a massive loss, especially when choosing from such a small pick of 13-14 hurling clubs.
Offaly were well beaten in a challenge game versus Clare midweek last week.
The big fear in Offaly is of a hammering which could damage these lads’ confidence going forward. Cork are always liable to score 7-8 goals once they smell blood in the water. Expect Ciaran Burke to tag Connolly, Pat Taaffe with William Buckley and Ben Conneely on Brian Hayes. Killian Sampson will look to sit in front of the full back line and protect. Ross Ravenhill at 5 is strong and physical but not that mobile. Ter Guinan at 7 is absolutely rapid, watch for Offaly attempting to clear space on the wing for him to attack puckouts. Cathal King in midfield is tenacious and may look to tag Fitzgibbon. Colin Spain can blow hot and cold and is very small.
The half forward line is very light, Shane Rigney, Conor Doyle and Dan Bourke. Rigney has pace to burn but can find it hard to get into a game - could score 1-2 and not touch the ball apart from that. Doyle is limited in hurling ability for very athletic and tries his heart out. Dan Bourke glides across the ground and will cover the whole field if not tagged. None of these lads are more than 6 foot and Offaly can not be pucking ball down the throat of the Downeys.
Brian Duignan has been very poor the last couple of games but has still got plaudits in the media for popping up with scores, simply down to his name. Needs a massive game Sunday. Adam Screeney is Adam Screeney. He may pop up on the wing as he did for UL.
The story of Offaly’s championship has been Eoghan Cahill in the other corner. He was brought in from the wilderness to start against Kilkenny in Screeney’s absence and he has shot the lights out from frees and from play. Works like a dog and has silky wrists without that much pace. Word is that he hurt his thumb v Clare last week.
Big man and goal threat Oisin Kelly hasn’t been able to nail down a spot this year to the surprise of most Offaly supporters. A couple of other youngsters are just returning from injury and may feature from the bench.
Keeping it to within 8-10 would be seen as a positive for Offaly.
