Behind the Lines & his fellow Athy cheerleaders have asked for an opinion on what I think will be our best championship 15. It's still a bit early, but here's what I think so far.

1. Shane Connolly
2. Peter Kelly
3. Ciaran Fitzpatrick
4. Hugh McGrillan
5. Morgan O'Flaherty
6. Mick Foley
7. Olly Lyons
8. Daryll Flynn
9. Dermot Earley
10. Eamonn's Callaghan
11. Eoghan O'Flaherty
12. James Kavanagh
13. Johnny Doyle
14. Tomás O'Connor
15. Padraig Fogarty/Seanie Johnson

I don't think this is how the team will line out but it's what I believe would be the best way to strengthen the lineup. Foley was an outstanding centre back when he captained the U/21's. Strong in the tackle & well able to win breaks and distribute. It will prevent scores coming through the centre easily & provide a fulcrum to build our attacks from.
I would like to see us go back to the style of play we used last year, indeed I think we will when the important time of the season comes around. Perhaps this experiment of booming the ball into Tom
is preparing a plan B.
Thete are a couple of big reputations on the U/21 panel this year who have a lot to
prove. If they can justify the plaudits that are being heaped on them, I believe Geezer & co will select 2 maybe 3 of them.
Others like Smith, Conway,Sweeney, McLoughlin et al will form a strong bench.

Whatever the lineup - here's hoping its a winning year

No Emmet Bolton?

Conway has to start for me, he's too good to leave on the bench.

Connolly

Kelly
Foley
McGrillen
Lyons
M O'Flaherty
Bolton

Earley
Flynn

Callaghan
Conway
Kavanagh
JD
O'Connor
E O'Flaherty

I actually forgot about Bolton. I'd have him in at 7 in place of Lyons.
Conway - it'd depend on the game. If there was space & time available - yea, he's one to pick and flick passes. If its a tight hard hitting game, space at a premium & players needed to go win their own ball - he's not suited.

1. Shane Connolly
2. Peter Kelly
3. Mick Foley
4. Hugh McGrillan
5. Morgan O'Flaherty
6. Emmet bolton
7. Olly Lyons
8. Daryll Flynn
9. Hugh lynch
10. Eamonn's Callaghan
11. Eoghan O'Flaherty
12. James Kavanagh
13. Johnny Doyle
14. Tomás O'Connor
15. Padraig Fogarty

1.Diarmuid Connolly
2.Peter Kelly
3.Mick Foley
4.Hugh McGrillian
5.Emmett Bolton
6.Ciaran Fitzpatrick
7.Morgan O'Flaherty
8.Daryll Flynn
9.Dermot Early (Hugh Lynch)
10.James Kavanagh(Rob Kelly)
11.Eoin Flaherty
12.Eamonn Callaghan
13.Mikey Conway
14.Tom O Connor
15.John Doyle.

Anytime Mickey scores this year its from close range and is accurate close to goal. We have a great bench so any position is up for grabs.

1. Connolly
2. P Kelly
3. Foley
4. Mcloughlin
5. Bolton
6. M O'Flaherty
7. Lyons
8. Flynn
9. Earley
10. Callaghan
11. O'Flaherty
12. R Kelly
13. Doyle
14. O'Connor
15. Kavangh/Johnson

Think our reputation would be in terrible state altogether rboy, if we poached Desperate Dan and stuck him in goal!

As the person who indirectly started this thread I have to say that Fone's team is the nearest to my choice. I think its a toss up between Ollie and Mikey for 7 and would try Kelly instead of O'Connor in the full forward line as defenders seem to have copped on to Tom's unwillingness to have a go himself. Also think Kelly deserves an extended run as he is a good scorer. Unfair to expect Earley to start matches given his age and recent injuries and the emergence of the "run all day " midfielfers such as McCauley. Only one Athy player on my 15 and I justify his selection on him being our only current All Star!

So are you going to name a team or are you going to criticise others?

my 15 would be
1 connolly
2 mcgrillan
3 p kelly
4 lyons
5 m o'flaherty
6 foley
7 bolton
8 flynn
9 lynch
10 conway
11 doyle
12 callaghan
13 e o'flaherty
14 r kelly
15 fogarty

1 Connolly
2 P Kelly
3 M Foley
4 H McGrillen
5 Lyons
6 M O'Flaherty
7 Bolton
8 Flynn
9 R Kelly (jersey looks up for grabs, can't see Dermot being anything other than an impact sub)
10 Callaghan
11 Conway
12 E O'Flaherty
13 Doyle
14 O'Connor
15 Fogarty (unless Kavanagh gets his act together)

1 Connolly
2 kelly
3 foley
4 mcgrillen
5 Bolton
6 flattery
7 chalky
8 Flynn
9 lynch
10 Doyle
11 flattery
12 Callaghan
13 kavanagh
14 Early
15 fogarty

id like to see o'flaherty and doyle tried in the inside line, either as a two as per 2009 formation or playing off Tommy O'C...

Connolly

Kelly Foley McGrillen
Bolton O'Flaherty Lyons

Flynn and Earley or Rob Kelly

Callaghan Conway Kavanagh
O'Flaherty O'Connor Doyle

Bta beleive it or not I agree with you're team, it is nice to see you been positive for a change keep it up.

see most people have JD at corner forward. really hope he plays there this year, think he coud benfit from the knock downs and ball won by o`connor.