Coolderry and Edenderry success the highlights of Offaly GAA year

When the history of Offaly GAA is being discussed in twenty, thirty or fifty years' time, it's reasonable to assume that 2011 is unlikely to feature prominently in the conversation. From players, mentors, volunteers and supporters there was no shortage of effort and commitment, but, sadly, there were all too many forgettable performances, disappointing match days and not nearly enough bright spots to go around. Purely from one writer's perspective, here's one take on the good, the bad and the significant moments from 2011. The Good 1. Coolderry winning the Leinster Club Hurling Championship Having started the year as reigning county champions, it was no surprise to see Coolderry easily plot their return to the county final. However the ominous sight of a young Birr team in opposition could have spooked a club that always struggled against their big town neighbours. Instead, Coolderry stepped up and delivered a performance full of character and resolve to retain the Seán Robbins Cup and slay some demons in the process. The importance of that win was easy to see in the club's subsequent Leinster campaign, when they played tough, disciplined and intelligent hurling to see off two fine club sides in Ballyboden St Enda's and Oulart the Ballagh. If Ollie Baker can harness that kind of spirit, Offaly hurling could yet turn a corner. 2. Edenderry winning the Offaly Senior Football Championship Of course some Offaly club had to take the big football prize, however anybody with the greater interests of Offaly GAA at heart couldn't but be delighted with the way that the reds yielded the rewards of years of hard work at underage level when they won back the Dowling Cup for the first time in ten years. That they did so under the guidance of two club stalwarts further emphasised the value of nurturing growth within a club rather than looking to import ready made success. After playing intermediate football only a few years ago, Edenderry's success proves that the right approach can yield dividends for any club. The Bad 1. U21 football and hurling county teams It's fair to say that of all the county teams that took part in championships this year, none were more disappointing than the two under-21 selections. The U21 football manager's position was heavily coveted at the start of the year but, in the space of a miserable first fifteen minutes in Athlone, Westmeath cut through the porous Offaly defence and essentially put the game out of reach. The U21 hurlers fared even worse, losing a 0-6 to 0-2 lead against Dublin and eventually winding up 0-21 to 0-8 losers in Parnell Park after being out-hurled, outfought and outwitted, both on the field and on the sideline. The result illustrated just how much work has to be done at underage level in Offaly to even compete with Dublin and Wexford, who went on to contest an excellent Leinster final. 2. The county hurlers feuding with O'Connor Park officials No county is well served by different elements of their GAA family fighting with each other, and when those rows are conducted in public, the subsequent damage is made more extensive. Cork were there for the taking in the qualifier tie in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, but instead of quietly planning an ambush on the Rebels, the Offaly hurling management were busy conducting a dispute with those charged with the upkeep and maintenance of O'Connor Park. The hurlers had legitimate grievances, but their subsequent actions suggested that they were more interested in exploiting those grievances in order to secure a return to Birr and public letters to Cork-based newspapers were hardly the best way to come to an amicable solution. The Significant 1. The retirement of Ciarán McManus The sight of Offaly football teams running out without the Tubber man at the heart of them in 2012 will be hugely unfamiliar, and only time will tell how his departure will affect their performances. While Ciarán himself maintained incredibly high standards, as evidenced by his wonderful displays this year, his presence was perhaps overpowering and may have prevented other younger footballers from stepping up and leading the team. To use a natural analogy, the felling of a giant oak might just expose smaller saplings to harsh winds, or it may grant them more light and allow them to flourish. This year will illustrate which is the case. Equally interesting will be watching Ciarán's progression in GAA management. He is perhaps all but certain to manage the Offaly senior footballers at some point, so it will be instructive to see his influence on Tubber's senior team this summer. 2 The appointment of John Leahy as county minor hurling manager This may seem like a somewhat low key event to be earmarked as significant, but this decision marks a huge change in policy and approach from the Offaly county board. Offaly management jobs often went to former hurlers who had no shortage of medals themselves, but who had yet to prove that they understood how the modern game had evolved and how to prepare players for hurling in the 21st century. John Leahy, in his time in charge of Kilcormac/Killoughey, proved that he was willing to look beyond the old fashioned "ground hurling" ethic that was so deeply embedded in the Offaly psyche and if this year's minor team shows meaningful improvement on the field, there is a real chance that Offaly hurling people will start to place more significance on possession and athleticism and less on "first time" play.