The fresh cuts of Offal can serve up a feast for the fans
THERE is no doubting what the highest grossing fixture across the GAA is this weekend.
It certainly isn’t any of the 16 All-ireland series and Tailteann Cup football games, or the three lower tier deciders at Croke Park – but the Offaly-tipperary All-ireland under-20 final at a sold out UPMC Nowlan Park.
I was a bit peeved that the game was fixed for Kilkenny rather than a bigger venue given the demand for tickets, but there is a very valid reason.
It was decided some time ago that the game would be there to mark the centenary of the death of former GAA president James Nowlan, whom the ground and trophy are named after.
Offaly waited for a long time for a generation of players like this to emerge and capture the imagination of the county.
It has created a huge hunger too – the crowds that follow them are off the charts.
Initially, I thought that could visit too much pressure on the young lads but they don’t care – they just hurl away.
It’s great seeing so many young boys and girls ready for a pitch invasion, head to toe in Offaly gear, roaring ‘Uibh Fhaili’.
Shane Lowry is on board, Michael Duignan is chairman, and they have good managers in Johnny Kelly at senior and Leo O’connor with the 20s, all driving towards the one ambition of getting Offaly back to the top table.
No disrespect to Tipperray, but it goes without saying who the other 30 counties will be shouting for.
I will say one thing though: I thought it was very noticeable in the Leinster final that Offaly’s conditioning was a long way off Dublin’s.
They are a small team in terms of size and strength. There is no doubting their ability, but I just wonder is that lack of physicality going to catch them.
Of course, over time that will develop but even the Tipp boys will be ahead of them in that respect right now.
Maybe Offaly’s hurling will more than compensate for that. I know both managers.
I had Leo in 2011 when we won a cracker of a Munster under-21 final, beating Cork. A massive win for us at the time.
I know Brendan Cummins well too having had the pleasure of working with him on many occasions in RTE. Two sounder men you won’t meet.
You could see what it meant to Brendan after the Munster final, fighting back the tears.
He hasn’t had much luck over the last few years, but his team is now playing in a way that he wants.
And while Adam Screeney commands all the attention, Tipp have some top class forwards too.
I’ve seen both teams play on a number of occasions now.
You could say an Offaly win is written in the stars, considering all the hype.
From a development viewpoint, it’s essentially job done but don’t be fooled – they want an All-ireland.
I think they will have to wait, however.
Tipp have been extremely good this year.
They weren’t at their best last week, but won and will take great belief from that.
It’ll be a tight one though, with plenty of excitement.