Offaly hurling is defined by a heartening contempt for the established order. They arrived at the 1981 final, for example without even having the decency to lose one in the past. Con Houlihan wrote of them that the "traditionalists, those amusing mystics who believe that it takes several generations to produce a hurler looked on Offaly's presence in the final as aficionados of the bullring might look on an Irish matador".
Judging by a piece in the Offaly Express today, however, it seems that they have betrayed their better nature, and now view themselves as beyond reproach of the plucky little upstarts of the round-robin.
Under a column entitled Sideline Mouthpiece that will prove less a match preview as it will a decoration for the home dressing room in Cusack Park on Saturday evening.
Now, before we go any further, it is important to keep in mind that Westmeath beat Offaly by fourteen points in last year's Leinster Championship. Double scores. 2-22 to 1-11.
In fact, the writer uses that result to dismiss the notion that Westmeath somehow believe they are superior to their midland rivals. What follows is, well, jusge for yourself...
... The reality is, Westmeath should not, and should never be, at our level. The hurling tradition in Offaly runs deep, it runs through the very fabric of Croke Park and St. Brendan's Park alike - in All-Ireland club and county titles.
There's no such hurling bloodline in Westmeath, and any thread they think their sewing now should be severed by our lads next Saturday evening....
...In all honesty, no matter what excuses we get about resources or county board culture in Offaly, counties like these shouldn't be in our universe in hurling circles. It was embarrassing last year to lose to Westmeath, and if they repeat the trick on us this term, we may as well give up the sport - and that's the crux of it....
...It's unpopular to say it out loud, but every Offaly supporter knows they will be embarrassed if we lose on Saturday. It would be a disgrace in fact.
John Shaw, who once played hurling for Westmeath, called it "gutter journalism".
The best motivation speech I ever read for a Westmeath hurler #Gutterjournalismhttps://t.co/X3yVsJn1C5
— John Shaw (@johnshaw2014) May 22, 2017
The rest of the reaction was general disbelief:
Best comedy writing of the year.....they are joking ....right ? https://t.co/ltAqJmIPxW
— Oisin Langan (@oisinlangan) May 23, 2017
A fiver on Westmeath might not be a bad bet! https://t.co/WsJgUm9HZm
— Shane Brophy (@BrophShane) May 23, 2017
It appears that Offaly have become what they once railed against. As a man once wrote: "Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster". Although he wasn't from a hurling stronghold, either.
You can read the full piece here.
See Also: Meath Footballer Gets Amusing Praise In Club Match Report
