Replying To BarneyGrant: "I somewhat clumsily said to Offaly chap in Tullamore who would know his onions that they were probably safe from relegation.
His response would indicate that Dublin won't be the only team to get a "shock" and that survival is not their goal at all. What was a four horse race is now much more open and Dublin still in mix but need to win next two to have any chance.
Badly need to get defence sorted and accept that a sweeper is required, Man on man is suicidal at this stage. Badly badly caught for pace if they don't win primary possession which in fairness they did well enough to get out of jail but another day like that and we are dead meat."
I said this after the Clare game, man on man and 2 v 2 inside and we were getting destroyed. 4 goals v Offaly is desperate credit to Offaly they took them well but we were wide open. It was absolute panic stations every time the ball went in there and Screeney will make hay with 40 yards of open grass in front of him. I don't think management learnt from the Clare game. We should beat Kildare in The Nell this weekend but we will need serious improvement to beat Wexford although talking to the locals here they think they'll need to improve on Newbridge display but I saw no more than highlights of it. Humbling. I thought after the league we would drive on for championship. I don't know who Offaly play in Tullamore but I don't think they will fear anyone.
Replying To ExiledInWex: "I said this after the Clare game, man on man and 2 v 2 inside and we were getting destroyed. 4 goals v Offaly is desperate credit to Offaly they took them well but we were wide open. It was absolute panic stations every time the ball went in there and Screeney will make hay with 40 yards of open grass in front of him. I don't think management learnt from the Clare game. We should beat Kildare in The Nell this weekend but we will need serious improvement to beat Wexford although talking to the locals here they think they'll need to improve on Newbridge display but I saw no more than highlights of it. Humbling. I thought after the league we would drive on for championship. I don't know who Offaly play in Tullamore but I don't think they will fear anyone."
Offaly are good and it is their under 20 team maybe coming to hand, as they say of horses.
Also cleverly managed their league with Kelly more or less saying that they stepped back after it became obvious they had little chance of survival and concentrated on getting lads like Mitchell fit again. They definitely will put it up to other teams and makes Leinster more difficult to predict.
As for ourselves, sweeper has to be priority. We are being burned for pace. No point in having good players - which we do - if they are being left for dead as we have seen too many times. Pace is not coachable. You either have it or not.
Assuming (!) we beat Kildare, Wexford game will most likely be must win for both.
Replying To BarneyGrant: "Offaly are good and it is their under 20 team maybe coming to hand, as they say of horses.
Also cleverly managed their league with Kelly more or less saying that they stepped back after it became obvious they had little chance of survival and concentrated on getting lads like Mitchell fit again. They definitely will put it up to other teams and makes Leinster more difficult to predict.
As for ourselves, sweeper has to be priority. We are being burned for pace. No point in having good players - which we do - if they are being left for dead as we have seen too many times. Pace is not coachable. You either have it or not.
Assuming (!) we beat Kildare, Wexford game will most likely be must win for both."
Excellent win for our u20 Hurlers last night Barney. Offaly 0-15 v Dublin 4-23 FT
We topped our group and now head directly into a Leinster Semi Final.