Leinster Club Champo

Newtown Blues v Tullamore

Gaelic Grounds, Sunday, 3pm




The Blues are playing the Blues sunday no thats not a typo the Offaly men are also know as the Blues.

However they wear a darker shade of Blue, similar to the Mary's Ardee.

The last time the Blues were in Leinster they lost to Kilmacud Crokes in a really close game, they could have won. Crokes went on to win the All-Ireland.


It will be exactly 4 weeks on sunday since the Blues triumphed over Cooley to capture the title but they've kept busy, losing to Gaels the following thursday and saving themselves from possible relegation by beating the O'Connells away in an impressive second half performance.

So it won't be for lack of practice that the Drogheda men don't advance.



Tullamore Background


They have won the Offaly championship as recently as 2007 and 2002.

Not one player remains from 2002 team beaten by Mattock Rangers in Ardee in the opening round.


5 remain from 2007 team beaten away to Eire Og in opening round.

They are: Current Full back and Captain Paul McConway,

corner back Mark Conlon, centre back James Keane, Midfielder John O'Donohue and ace attacker Shane Dooley




So in recent times, they have a poor Leinster record but that could be due to the seeded away draw set by Rhode's success over the years.

So do not let that fool you.

The have quality 4 current County men

1. Paul McConway captain, Full back....Colm Judge will know him well from his UCD days.





2. Johnny Moloney on the forty




3. Michael Brazil in Midfield is Really strong in the air










4. Shane Dooley Dual star but a real live wire 2-3 in the county final




Notable mentions

Eoin Brennan has played in goals for Offaly in recent seasons, Corner Forward Kevin Williamson is talented soccer player playing with Bohs and Athlone town in his day, alongside him in the full forward line is another dual star Shane Kelly, midfielder for the Offaly hurlers.


Majority of their team has represented Offaly at some level So they will not be found wanting in quality stakes.


Summary

Last year Louth champions Pats beat Rhode in Tullamore which would suggest we have the pedigree to beat them but that Pats team have been knocking on the door and desperate for a decent run in Leinster. Tullamore also beat Rhode in the final this year.


So that tells me nothing.....but it does indicate that the outcome could be decided all on the day.

Whoever gets the best start could give the team the confidence to go on and settle into the game.

This is a solid Young hard working Tullamore team and their main quality is their stout defending. They are what you would call counterattacking team, they soak up alot of pressure and rely on Dooley up front to get them through most games.

The Blues for me would be the opposite...they attack and they attack from all angles. The half back line especially. The early rounds might suit their style more.

This clash of styles makes for an entertaining game!

Furthermore, the home tie is also an advantage not only the logistics but the nuisances of the drogheda pitch take getting used to.

For me the over reliance on Dooley could be Tullamore's downfall if the Blues manage to curtail him they have enough firepower to beat any team on any day and thats what this competition is about.


Verdict: The Blues, the Newtown Blues.