2016 O'Byrne Cup

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/football/cian-oneill-kildare-starting-with-clean-slate-371779.html (smaller version of that interview)

Anyone know what the craic is with Johnny Byrne any chance of him playing for the footballers?

I think people underestimate the level of commitment required after a number of years. I would never be surprised when a player feels he has enough - or that he would decline to get involved at all. You miss out on an awful lot of life. As Tomás Ó Sé has said often, he doesn't know how anyone does it outside of a few counties, as he knew he'd be there are or thereabouts every year.

Also, I think you often hear people saying 'ah he's no great loss' about an individual, but as O2 referred to, it's the depth. The two lads would be clearly good enough for the 30-35 and probably would have roles in the 21. When three or four go and then you pick up the couple of injuries everyone gets, that is felt. I know there is potential, but there has already been a massive turnover in a short space of time and it is much easier for a prospect to prosper in an established set-up than being thrown in with seven others and expected to lead.

Of course you'd like to see four or five come in and then the likes of Mark Sherry to kick on. But there is no doubt that finding defenders and a good defensive structure will be vital. Good luck to them.

Throw in a full time job. And a family... or a fella down the country in college and the commitment required for what's probably a 7 day training schedule ruling out any real social life.

Spot on Lads. Its a massive struggle to enjoy playing club football never mind county

Inter county is a serious commitment. As lads say with work, college, family and clubs all looking for a piece. Now we also expected the lads to spend 2 nights a week dancing for a fundraiser. ...it's not easy on them.

If he's planning Hyland full back we won't see it till the league as I'd imagine he'll be playing O'Byrne Cup with UCD.

For any younger lad playing with your county is the ultimate and with being younger you have more time to put in. As you get older jobs family etc come into it and your time is taking up with all that and you start to find it hard to give your time to the county. With the way the county is going now its nearly full time 7 days a week.

So when you get to say 25/26 years of age you will start to think what are the benefits playing with your county are we good enough to compete do I give up my time to play county. You are going to see more and more lads around that age dropping off and I think now is the time to do something about this but maybe its gone to far to change?

What to do though is the big question.

Try to implement that all counties train 3 day a week with a match at he weekend

Club football train 2 day a week with a match at the weekend.

I think a lot of enjoyment is gone out of football especially at senior level where winning is what counts that matters.

SPOT ON STEVIE.

This is massive now. Something needs to be done by the GAA.

No doubt the GPA will be very quiet.

A small thing that is annoying me:

I am delighted that Cain O'Neill is our manager but I do wish, that he been a high profile name in the current Gaa media world, that he would wear some Kildare Gaa tops etc when he is in the media spotlight.

Even at our local club level we always wear our club colours when working with the media, attending events etc.

Maybe our branding is that bad however I would be fairly peed off if I was a sponsor or potential sponsor. !!!

I'd say Cian is concentrating fully on his squad and backroom team at the moment and hasn't given much thought to the commercial side just yet. Agreed he should be wearing a Kildare top at such times but its probably another sign of the lack of commercial awareness by the CB that it is allowed to happen.
I have been impressed with his comments in the media so far and its good to see him welcome everyone back and start afresh. Looking forward to see what his team selections and tactics are for the league.

Prefer he looked smart which he always does. Hes a big bloke. Tracksuit wouldnt him. Perception.

I prefer if he wasn't doing as much talking. We're in division 3 with a lot of tough games in the spring so I think he should keep the head down. But that's just me and sure I'd have to have something to give out about. :-)

He can spout as much whit as that mcgregor lad as long as he gets results!

I agree lilysavage

Looks like we have a decent backroom staff looking at the report on the leader anyways.

I heard Tommy Moolick did his knee in? anyone else hear that? Hope to god it's not true.

Sorry about another post but Paul Cribbin is the captain for next year. Congrats to Paul it's a great honour.

Tommy hurt the knee but not serious. Cartilage needs repair. Out for a few weeks only.

Scratch that about Cribbin he was fraped on facebook by his sister! haha. Thanks Kelf glad it's not too serious.

So the all singing , all dancing, Cribbin sister strikes. Nice one Rach,,,,,,,,,,,

Only two weeks until the circus starts again. Crazy but looking forward to it after the excess of Christmas.

It will be interesting to see how Cian sets us up and how he sees us playing. I would expect the first thing he will do is be tight at the back and work from there. The conceding of big scores needs to stop.

I would love to see a definite shape to the team in both defence and attack through the year. We are not going to get anything near that in January but it's never to early to start working on it so we might get an indication of what he wants and how he sees us play.

Looking forward to getting back to watching some football and O'Byrne cup although ridiculed by some is always a good time of year for me.

Looking forward to the new year myself, agree with the requirement to stop conceding big scores but to achieve that it normally means a reduction in our own scoring rate, I suppose its all about getting the balance right.

What way would you like the see the team shaping up come 1st round of league?
Hard to know what team will be like in O'BC with college commitments etc?

Donnellan nailed on for nets?
Someone suggested Hylo fullback? P Kelly and Ollie in the corners? Luke Flynn make his way in?
I'd say Doyler looks set for a long career at 6?
As for wing backs is Keith Cribben back? Fergal Conway Bolton McGrillen and Morgan battling it out there. Or perhaps Houli or some other youngsters?
Around the midfield/ half forward line you have Moolick the 2 flynns Mark Sherry, Fitzpartrick, Cribben Paidi & Feely.
Then out and out forwards Fla, Kelly Smythy Leper Podge and perhaps Neil Flynn or some other youngsters can break through.

Not too much experimentation there, I would expect lads like Cahill, Tyrell and Eaton to get chances up front during the O Byrne Cup. Matty Byrne should get game time during the competition to especially given we will be without both Paul Cribben and Moolick and Feely could possibly be tied to DCU.

Defensively, I would imagine Luke Flynn will get a chance at full back. Mescal should get game time too a long with Houlihan.

In goal I would imagine the keepers will be rotated for the 3 games.