Quote from: Downtheroad on July 20, 2019, 12:03:48 AM
I was disappointed with the result as I thought we would put up a much better show. Still think there are a lot of players with potential who will learn from tonight and progress to senior. I thought one of our problems was that we didn't track back and a number of scores came from mistakes at critical times. Now I'm been a bit petty here but what the hell is it with promising Laois teams and haircuts? Tonight we had every player with more or less the same haircut. Might have been more in their line to concentrate on the football. We had the same nonsense back in the 90s with the successful minor teams who underachieved at senior level by any yardstick. One of my abiding memories was all their flashy hairstyles that were doing the rounds when there were going well at underage. All I'm saying I would prefer substance to style.
Dublin had far better haircuts. That's why they're so successful. People think it's because of the money, population, structures etc..nope, it's the barbers that they get a trim in.
Joking aside, I thought we were fairly competitive in patches with Dublin, but as usual with Dublin teams, their pace, power and fitness gets them past opposition usually. Watching some of their players stride past Laois players without breaking a sweat was something to behold.
If we want to compete at the highest level in any age grade, we have to be able to match that. I believe we've performed better in recent years on that side if things, but we still have a way to go.
Lacey struggled at full-back on a top underage prospect in Archer. That's no slight on the Ballylinan man either, as he's been one of the best performers of the U-20 campaign. I would've likes go see Saunders there though. I think he's more of a natural full-back, whereas Lacey usually plays higher up the field, even at centre-back.
The corner-back Dowling is remarkable in that he's so small you dont think he'll be able to compete at this level, but he's so tigerish that he makes it work. It'll be interesting to see if he can nail down a starting place for Portlaoise in the championship, which is never easy.
I think Slevin hasn't had the best year so far. He was a player who stood out at minor level, but maybe with injuries he's just fallen back a bit. Hope he can get back to his best. Brophy is a livewire at wing-back, running up and down the field all day. Not sure he has the football in him to kick Senior for Laois next year. He has another year at U-20 level so let's see how he goes.
O'Flynn played decent on the first half but faded a bit in the second. He should be looking to start for the Senior team next year. Rob Tyrell and Eoin Dunne both showed flashes of brilliance at midfield, but both will need to become more mobile to compete at Division 2 next year.
Coffey had an off day, but he was exceptional the last day. While he can play a few poor passes at times, I like the way he always looks to kick early ball in. A sign of a good footballer. Barry had another day where things just didn't go right, but I saw enough of him at Senior this year to know he has what it takes
Doran at centre-forward kicked possibly the score of the match in the first half, but again he needs to become more mobile to play Senior. Whelan and Kinsella kicked some quality scores, and both should be on the Senior panel next year.
I counted only two or three balls were kicked into Dan McCormack. Why play him at all if you're not going to utilise him Strange.
Jack Owen's should've been starting after the Westmeath game in my opinion. He has too much talent to sit on the bench.
Hopefully a few of these kick on and make solid inter-county players. With Begley, Timmons, and a few others not getting any younger, we need some of these lads to step up. I have plenty if faith in a lot of them.
With regards to Billy O'Loughlin, I feel he came in for unfair criticism when he took the job. He seems to be a very honest bloke when it comes to speaking to the media, and tells it as it is. I think he's gotten the best out of this team, and they've played some brilliant football under him. I certainly wouldn't be against him staying on another year. The crop of players he'd have next year is arguably more talented, with a lot of this year's team still underage.
On yo club championship now. A lot of these lads will hopefully shine in that, along with a few more hidden gems and we can compete well in Division 2 next season. Laois are on the up lads.