Offaly manager Johnny Kelly backs Ben O’Connor call for on-field messaging change

Offaly boss Johnny Kelly has joined Cork manager Ben O’Connor in calling for the return of a maor foirne, arguing that management teams are being stripped of their ability to influence games in real time.

Kelly raised the issue following Offaly’s National Hurling League defeat to Waterford last weekend, describing the current restrictions as out of step with the demands of the modern game.

“The biggest thing I have at the moment is being able to get a message on to the field,” Kelly said after the loss in Walsh Park. “This idea that we're trying to get a message on to a field in the fastest game in the world, we're not allowed.

“Why is that? What's wrong with getting a simple message to players to reshape their forward line?” O’Connor had voiced similar frustrations after Cork’s victory over Galway in Salthill, criticising the strict interpretation of the rules and likening the situation to soccer in terms of touchline control.

“You see in the second half, as I said, you can’t get messages out to the field. It isn’t right, in my opinion, that you can’t,” O’Connor said, after the win against Galway.

“Training all week, you can tell fellas this and tell them that, then you go into a match and can’t get information in. They have to figure out themselves inside.” It wasn’t Kelly’s only gripe with the rulebook on Sunday, he also felt that star forward Adam Screeney was being fouled more often than it was called for.

“I don't know what it is like, I don't want to sound like a moaner.

“Maybe it's because I'm looking at it through Offaly glasses, [but] I don't think we're getting the decisions that we deserve at times,” he said. “I don't know how often Adam Screeney was fouled. Yes, he got numerous frees, but there was persistent fouling as well there, and it was every time he went to the ball.

“I don't know what I would say about that. They [the referees] have a difficult job too. I think the throwing of the ball, we were pulled one or two down there.

“There were obviously other ones in it that we were saying, if you're going to go that way, well, be consistent with it.” While praising Screeney’s performance against Waterford, Kelly also said he hoped that the Kilcormac-Killoughey man could get more protection from referees.

“He's really bought into what we're doing, he's leading it now at the minute as well. Adam is in that dressing room there and he's demanding more off of other players on the pitch.

“[He’s] an excellent hurler, I'm lucky to have him. Offaly are very lucky to have him. Long may it continue, and I hope he gets more protection from referees as it goes forward.” While Screeney did excel up front, Kelly was still really disappointed to see the Faithful suffer a third straight Division 1A defeat.

“Obviously we were so disappointed with the way the game finished up against Tipperary last weekend,” Kelly remarked. “Tipperary being All-Ireland Champions, we weren't happy with that, even though there were some green shoots in that game also.

“But it's still a defeat here today, and it's something that we're trying to rectify. We're working extremely hard there.

“The guys themselves are putting in some effort, and everyone is doing their best. Obviously a little bit disappointed now after the third quarter that we probably didn't do enough damage on the scoreboard.”