Messages

https://www.laoistoday.ie/2018/02/22/arles-killeen-head-across-border-new-football-manager/

https://www.laoistoday.ie/2018/02/22/two-new-managers-rosenallis-look-2018-season/

https://www.laoistoday.ie/2018/02/12/ballyfin-appoint-within-fill-football-manager-vacancy/

No agenda, was not meant to be picked up that way. Felt it was interesting and applicable to this thread.

Ballyfin still without a manager from what I'm hearing, don't want anyone internally, and are having a large list of people turn them down. Ballyfin could be in serious trouble this year, with James Finn away too

There seems to only be Ben Conroy from Slieve Bloom involved at all.

Majority of the club would be involved in both hurling and football, perhaps it was to combat injury and burn out, an issue Ballyfin have suffered with many years previously with many involved in 4 or 6 teams in the club. Whatever it was Ballyfin looked very fresh on Sunday, and played a free flowing brand of football throughout the match

Very disappointed with Kileen on Saturday, sat with 14/14 players behind the ball and hoped that hoofing it from deep up to Donie would win them the game. They got a favourable enough draw, if it was a few other teams they might be a bit worried.

Ballyfin were a joy to behold in the second half. Were very much in the game int he first half, bar two sloppy goals from mistakes from defenders. But once they came on the field for the second half there was a real sense of determination about them. With the older Moore and the centre back Duff due back from the US this week, along with Finn Moore Connolly, they should feel rightly confident going into the Crettyard game. All Depends on whether O'Carroll is back from the US, from all reports Crettyard were disappointing against Stradbally.

Clonaslee should go down, but it will be a scrap. Going to be interesting to see how it unfolds.

Still cant see past Portlaoise for ten in a row.

Surely Clonaslee for the drop straight back down. They would make Ballyfin look like Kerry.

Ballyfin and Clonaslee are playing tonight up in Clonaslee so that could be interesting to look at.

The Heath might just pip Portlaoise, but that will only kick the town into gear for the rest of the championship.

I believe Clifford Ward is in charge of Joes and Ballyfin. Lets see if he can do better than Mulhare last year

Ballyfin's experiment seems to be back firing according to reports. Lost to Stradbally, lost to Rochesfotbridge, lost to Timahoe, and lost to Mullingar. Have yet to have Sean Moore, Ben Conroy, James Finn amongst others playing. James Moore shattered a joint in his finger, and will be out for the season. Ciaran Duff who was centre back last year has gone travelling to the States, and with quite a few key players doing leaving cert they are really struggling until June.

This is confirmed, had a players meeting last weekend and had a full debate, got everyone behind the idea.

From what I have heard they have 12 games arranged, between now and championship time, home and away fixtures.

As far as I know from talking to people in Ballyfin, they plan on arranging a number of practice matches outside the county with clubs they reckon are at a better level and in turn better prepare them for championship.

Their second team will remain in Division 4

Rumours about that Ballyfin will not be participating in the league....Understandable when playing in the 3rd tier and hoping to go in prepared to a senior championship

I can't imagine one Slieve Bloom player making the Emo team. Ben Conroy might but he'll have a lot of hurling commitments.

He and his brother Gavin are the only ones who might. Ben, if available, would definitely add something to the Emo attack. Good pace, can kick off both feet. Was always one of the best footballers on the underage Laois teams, up until he chose to follow hurling solely.

Have to agree, that the move for Slieve Bloom is not to accomodate those who want to play football in Slieve Bloom but the pursuit of one very skillful player.

Slieve Bloom were interested in getting involved in Ballyfin Football, as they had been at juvenile levels previously, but this was a non-runner due to Ballyfin's hurling commitments.

Reportedly 8/9 players going to Emo from Slieve Bloom, all but confirmed is the word inside Emo & Slieve Bloom

Ballyfin looking for new management & coaching  team

Wasn't overly impressed with Lillis this year, was solid throughout but nothing major. Was announced Tuesday as player of the year and with his dad in charge will definitely be involved at some level.

Healy will continue to commute for hurling.

Cahilane maybe, but whether he will fully commit needs to be looked at. Is he still in Wexford?

Seale and Cotter showed well, and are both under 25. Cotter has some serious size about him too.

Bruno's passed it with regards inter county.

Other than that, I cant see many more even coming close to the panel.

Portlaoise were far more physical than Sarsfields in there match. Battered them around the middle and funneld 13 men back behind the ball in defence, in an effort to take Sean Moore out of the game. Conor Dunphy and John Kav were great on the break for Portlaoise. While James Moore and Sean Moore were the best for Sarsfields.

A really good game that finished 0-11 to 0-10