As 2021 was drawing to a close, Johnny Pilkington found himself joining the Offaly minors, despite confessing his lack of profound understanding of them. He was quite welcoming of the initial impressions.
November witnessed an off-season game against Tipperary, typically a fleeting experience akin to munching a quick snack. Yet, its flavour lingered for Pilkington.
Speaking about his early impressions, Pilkington comments on the overwhelming zeal in the team’s defense and their assertiveness on the field, which could be often construed as arrogance. He shares an amusing anecdote about players asking repeatedly to be put back into the game, which led him to think about teaching them some humility.
Despite these initial quips, Pilkington noticed the unique talent in them and found himself saying to the others that they may clinch the All-Ireland title. Even though they didn’t, he remained impressed by their talent. Especially their warm-up routines, the swift passing of the balls, and their quick reactions dazzled him. The comparison with Kilkenny and Wexford’s warm-up sessions before the senior match further amplified this sentiment.
Pilkington had already had a couple of seasons managing the Offaly minors around ten years prior, ending in unfortunate defeats to Carlow and Westmeath. The next time he joined, Leo O’Connor from Limerick was heading the team, having been a part of Declan Loughnane’s team, which had suffered a disappointing elimination by Kildare.
These disappointing results were a tough pill to swallow for Offaly but were unfortunately in line with their track record. Over time, Offaly has seen its peer group transform and their performance level drop off. A notable mention goes to Laois, who, despite not having a win against them in minor championships for four decades, ended up defeating Offaly four consecutive times in recent years, with one loss by a staggering 15 points.
The past of Offaly’s recent team isn’t embedded with the present players, they carried no blame for it. Identified as unique talents during the Tony Forristal’s annual county competition in Waterford at the age of 14, they emerged as special before gaining any significant attention. This verified their distinctness.
This coming Saturday will be their third attempt at the All-Ireland final, complementing their prior streak of two under-20s and one minor final, all achieved in three consecutive years. Such a high demand for tickets caused a Ticketmaster system malfunction, akin to something you’d see at a Taylor Swift concert. The weekend’s largest sports gathering of 26,000 is expected at Nowlan Park, drawing in full capacity.
The team’s allure extends beyond hurling, with passionate followers ranging far beyond the dedicated diehards or those who had suffered through most defeats. Their fanbase mainly consists of school kids, teenagers, and enthusiasts of the trending mullet/wolf-cut generation, most of whom weren’t born when Offaly last clashed at a senior All-Ireland final – 24 years ago.
Paul Rouse, widely known as the UCD historian and author along with being the ex-manager of the Offaly footballers, suggests that the new generation may be tired of being incessantly told about past legendary teams by elder enthusiasts. Now, they’ve created their own team to admire.
The sudden surge in following has roots back at the Leinster minor final against Laois two years prior. With Laois bagging the venue’s rights and the novel adversary anticipated to attract an audience, the Offaly County Board wisely financed a bus for fans from every club within the vicinity. This initiative dramatically boosted the turnout, also evident in the 15-minute delay in starting the final.
Recounting his experience at the Leinster final, Pilkington observed that a vibrant ambiance paired with an Offaly victory encouraged fans to be part of the future games. Fans were not only the traditional followers but also parents who were mainly soccer enthusiasts. These were the individuals who preferred catching a match at Old Trafford over O’Connor Park, which changed when the younger generation showed interest in hurling, undeniably influencing the parents to do so.
The Offaly hurling team has suffered relentless blows and defeats since the onset of the century. Though they upheld their position within the top tier of the championship, the team persistently faced crushing defeats, misinterpreting each one as the worst yet. Devastating losses were dealt by Kilkenny – by 31 points in 2005 and later by 26 points in 2014. Similarly, a 14-point loss to Westmeath followed two years later. A match against their historical rivals, Laois, resulted in their first loss in a span of 43 years.
In 2018, the team’s degradation resulted in relegation from the esteemed Leinster championship, followed by further relegation from the Joe McDonagh competition the next year. Their initial season in the third tier couldn’t even accrue them a spot in the Christy Ring final.
The journey was speckled with determined yet thwarted efforts to elevate the state of things. An assessment team in 2015 disclosed a detailed report, titled ‘Offaly Player Pathway’. However, their recommendations were largely dismissed. The evaluator team raised a dedicated implementation team, although a state of conflict with the county board eventually led them to disband.
The former Taoiseach Brian Cowen made failed attempts at mediation and by the close of 2017, the committee had dissolved. While a few scraps of the report were brought to life, the bulk of it was forgotten. It is nothing short of a miracle that the team managed to resurface from such systemic chaos.
The RTÉ analyst and one-time Offaly player, Brian Carroll, was a player in the victorious Leinster Minor Championship team in 2000. As a previous hurling director with the county board, he’s been part of the thick and thin of the situation. Carroll has observed notable changes under the reins of Michael Duignan and Colm Cummiskey who currently serve as chairman and secretary. “In terms of finances, the organisational structure at the county board level, aid to the development squads – the requirements essential for team evolution, there have been considerable improvements” stated Carroll.
However, hurdles haven’t been completely absent. At times, it was challenging to identify coaches ready to assist the development squad. Nonetheless, their under-20 football team managed to win the All-Ireland competition in 2021 after braving some initial struggles.
We’re clear-eyed in Offaly about the challenges our group of under-20 hurlers face. We’re aware that sustained success at a senior level will require more than one successful team. Three years back, our under-20 footballers boasted a vibrant and fervent young fan base, which was further inspired by our minor hurlers a year after. However, the senior teams are yet to enjoy these benefits.
As an example, last summer’s All-Ireland final saw approximately 17-18,000 fans cheer on Offaly’s under-20 hurlers in Thurles, but the following week’s Joe McDonagh final in Croke Park saw only a sliver of that crowd. A recent under-20s victory against Kilkenny drew in around 8,000 spectators, compared to a mere 1,300 for a critical home match against Kerry. Clearly, different matches attract different fans.
Carroll makes the point that top-level hurling draws a connection that the second tier or Division Two hurling simply can’t match, in any county. It doesn’t strike the public’s fancy in the same way. But this group, he says, has gripped the Offaly public’s attention. It’s not only their wins, but the manner in which they’re achieved – their significant bravery, zeal, modesty, integrity, speed, and a dash of style. Despite not having the most physically imposing players, they show full commitment, courage and have a strong bond with the fans. They are sparking excitement in a new generation and offering hope where success has been absent for too long.
In the under-20 final against Cork last year, a few of the 2022 minors played. However, for this year’s final against Tipperary, this group has increased to nine players. If not for an unfortunate hamstring injury, the highly gifted Dan Ravenhill would have been the tenth. They may be young, even for their age group, but their talents are exceptional.
“People often assert that our journey to the final last year was an overachievement,” Leo O’Connor candidly admits, “and to a certain extent, we may have exceeded expectations. However, were we competent enough in hurling to merit our place? Without question. Did we put our absolute all into the competition? Unquestionably. Our commitment is unwavering. The team consistently delivers.”
Several team members have already been selected for Offaly’s senior squad. Pilkington projects a significant rise in representation next year, possibly even doubling. Progress is being made at a rapid pace. They’re aware of the potential risks this speed entails.
Pilkington reflects on the occasional rumors, instructing, “You have to keep them focused and down-to-earth. We don’t shy away from diffusing overconfidence. A considerable problem? I wouldn’t say so. Concerning their outlook, I would argue they’re the most commendable group I’ve ever been associated with – that counts the team I was part of in the 90s that won two All-Irelands.”
“Their sights are set on grander achievements. They aspire to represent Offaly, to be a part of the Offaly seniors, to triumph in all contests.”
They advance in their journey, propelled by the wind in their sails.