Starts next Thursday night with Portlaoise v Courtwood. Hard to see anything other than a Portlaoise win in that.
Expect Port to easily account for Ballyfin.
Emo v O'Dempseys could be a cracker.
Emo have a couple of decent young lads who weren't eligible to play in 2020 semi-final but can play now. I think they'll beat O'Dempsey's and be there or thereabouts again.
I doubt Courtwood will actually beat Portlaoise but they will be competitive with them. Eddie Kinsella will have them fit and they should have no fear of them.
I'm interested to see how Ballyroan Abbey go this year. Might be a year or two too early for them but some very exciting talent there. Regardless, it will of course be Portarlington's championship to lose. I think Jason Moore is gone and will be a loss if so but they have the depth there to cover that.
The predictions will be interesting as there is alot of close games in the mix
Portlaoise will beat Courtwood by around 7
Emo should beat O'Dempseys. O'Dempseys haven't built on getting to the final three years ago at all.
Think Graigue will beat The Heath and expect Josephs and Port to beat Clonaslee and Ballyfin comfortably.
Stradbally v Killeen could be one of the closer games - neither of them are great but I think Strad could edge it.
Ballyroan Abbey v Killeshin is an interesting one. Two of the better clubs in recent years in developing young players. I think Ballyroan Abbey might have enough.
Ballylinan v Rosenallis is a hard one to call. Ballylinan would traditionally win this but without Gary Walsh, Ballylinan might be vulnerable and it's a great chance for Rosenallis to avoid getting dragged into the relegation end of things.
Quote from: The PRO on September 01, 2021, 12:12:07 PM
Portlaoise will beat Courtwood by around 7
Emo should beat O'Dempseys. O'Dempseys haven't built on getting to the final three years ago at all.
Think Graigue will beat The Heath and expect Josephs and Port to beat Clonaslee and Ballyfin comfortably.
Stradbally v Killeen could be one of the closer games - neither of them are great but I think Strad could edge it.
Ballyroan Abbey v Killeshin is an interesting one. Two of the better clubs in recent years in developing young players. I think Ballyroan Abbey might have enough.
Ballylinan v Rosenallis is a hard one to call. Ballylinan would traditionally win this but without Gary Walsh, Ballylinan might be vulnerable and it's a great chance for Rosenallis to avoid getting dragged into the relegation end of things.
Where is Gary Walsh ???
Quote from: Junior Ex Laoistalk on September 02, 2021, 12:28:58 AM
Quote from: The PRO on September 01, 2021, 12:12:07 PM
Portlaoise will beat Courtwood by around 7
Emo should beat O'Dempseys. O'Dempseys haven't built on getting to the final three years ago at all.
Think Graigue will beat The Heath and expect Josephs and Port to beat Clonaslee and Ballyfin comfortably.
Stradbally v Killeen could be one of the closer games - neither of them are great but I think Strad could edge it.
Ballyroan Abbey v Killeshin is an interesting one. Two of the better clubs in recent years in developing young players. I think Ballyroan Abbey might have enough.
Ballylinan v Rosenallis is a hard one to call. Ballylinan would traditionally win this but without Gary Walsh, Ballylinan might be vulnerable and it's a great chance for Rosenallis to avoid getting dragged into the relegation end of things.
Where is Gary Walsh ???
I believe he's suspended for the first round game.
Portlaoise to win comfortably
Graigcullen to ease past by 4
O Dempseys after a ding dong battle ill go for o Dempseys to pull through
Kileshin to win by 4/5 i dont believe there injury list at all so after a tight 50 mins i think there ahead of BAbbey
Stradbally to win by curtailing the two kingstons and strads younger legs to pull through
Portarlington by a cricket score no james finn
St joesphs by a cricket score also
Roseanalis to maybe scrape through only because of the loss of garry through suspension
I will probably be wrong on a good few enjoy the weekends games
Looking the the strength and depth of players some of those clubs have just highlights again the madness of a 16 team senior championship in Laois. Half the clubs in the championship sole ambition is to remain senior. The intermediate championship has been a farce last couple of years with teams regularly on the end of 20 plus point drubbings with some below strength second teams propping it up. If you were to ship 4/6 teams back intermediate from the senior ranks you would have an excellent and competitive senior and intermediate club championship with a lot more clubs having a realistic chance of targeting championship success.
In Limerick, they managed to revert their senior hurling championship about 5 years ago from a 16 to 12 team championship in one year. Championship played off with four groups of four with clubs seeded accordingly. Bottom team in each group after the group games relegated. For one year only the intermediate champions do not get promoted. Alternatively if you want the intermediate champions promoted to senior then you have the clubs who finished third in their groups go into semi final relegation play-offs.
Perhaps I'm being extreme but after watching Park's game with Timahoe during week and watching Timahoe in last year's intermediate championship being massacred by other clubs strongly feel something needs to change-for supporters and players.
The clubs won't go for it, and in fairness I can see the reasons why. Timahoe have lost all direction, and are one of a number of clubs who are too small to stand on their own two feet. Mountmellick seem to be looking at ways to avoid standing on their own two feet if recent activity is a gauge. The point is this. You drop to Intermediate and interest levels drop simultaneously. The reality is that we have far too many clubs with very small numbers. Clubs like Timahoe, Kilcruise, Killeen and many others rely on a golden crop, and can't possibly sustain prolonged periods in Senior. There are many clubs like them who could very easily just fall off the map altogether. We all know that there are intermediate clubs masquerading as Senior, but sometimes I wonder if they're not better off
Given the choice, I'd rather see proper arrangements in place that allow all players in Junior or Intermediate to play with a Senior club. There has to be an incentive to play the game because restricting participation to badly functioning clubs will only kill interest. There is so much proof of this.
Quote from: High Fielder on September 02, 2021, 01:22:36 PM
Given the choice, I'd rather see proper arrangements in place that allow all players in Junior or Intermediate to play with a Senior club.
Bingo. Spot on. Yet when Annanough, Courtwood and Park Ratheniska tried to do that a number of years ago, most of the senior clubs blocked it and the executive effectively didn't support it by abstaining. There's good young footballers in Spink, Barrowhouse, Kilcavan to name just three clubs. It's bordering on criminal that they don't have access to playing in the senior football championship. No more than ourselves when we were down intermediate and junior.
Quote from: High Fielder on September 02, 2021, 01:22:36 PM
The clubs won't go for it, and in fairness I can see the reasons why. Timahoe have lost all direction, and are one of a number of clubs who are too small to stand on their own two feet. Mountmellick seem to be looking at ways to avoid standing on their own two feet if recent activity is a gauge. The point is this. You drop to Intermediate and interest levels drop simultaneously. The reality is that we have far too many clubs with very small numbers. Clubs like Timahoe, Kilcruise, Killeen and many others rely on a golden crop, and can't possibly sustain prolonged periods in Senior. There are many clubs like them who could very easily just fall off the map altogether. We all know that there are intermediate clubs masquerading as Senior, but sometimes I wonder if they're not better off
Given the choice, I'd rather see proper arrangements in place that allow all players in Junior or Intermediate to play with a Senior club. There has to be an incentive to play the game because restricting participation to badly functioning clubs will only kill interest. There is so much proof of this.
The clubs you quoted just highlight the problem. Clubs from parishes with more than one club.
Imagine the competitive nature of our championship with a "One parish, one club" rule. This thing of being in a different club every time you drive around a corner on a Laois road is detrimental to the county. The obvious exception to this is the Greater Portlaoise area.
Quote from: Heshs Umpire on September 02, 2021, 04:11:44 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on September 02, 2021, 01:22:36 PM
Given the choice, I'd rather see proper arrangements in place that allow all players in Junior or Intermediate to play with a Senior club.
Bingo. Spot on. Yet when Annanough, Courtwood and Park Ratheniska tried to do that a number of years ago, most of the senior clubs blocked it and the executive effectively didn't support it by abstaining. There's good young footballers in Spink, Barrowhouse, Kilcavan to name just three clubs. It's bordering on criminal that they don't have access to playing in the senior football championship. No more than ourselves when we were down intermediate and junior.
100 per cent agree Hesh. I'm many ways, this is my thinking for the entire GAA. The county system effectively means that a good hurler born in Leitrim needs to take up another sport. I think that's just daft.
In the context of Laois, it is obvious that there is so much more we could do. Zooming points out the obvious flaw of the club around each corner. The drive from Carlow to Portlaoise is a great example of that, where we could and probably should halve the number of clubs. But I'd settle for a bit of innovation in the absence of common sense. Allowing Junior and Intermediate players access to Senior would be a start.
Have yee not said all this before this thread is for the senior championship 2021 keep it to it or start a new one that involves the same chat as 5 years ago
Quote from: town1980 on September 02, 2021, 04:54:52 PM
Have yee not said all this before this thread is for the senior championship 2021 keep it to it or start a new one that involves the same chat as 5 years ago
Fair point
Fair play to Courtwood tonight. Eddie Kinsella has them flying fit and Niall Donoher is an absolute joy to watch play football.
That said, if anyone wonders why Laois football is in a poor state, look no further than Portlaoise's performance this evening. Without Bruno they look out of ideas going forward and they still rely mainly on Lillis, Boyle, Cahillane and Dillon to try and get them over the line.
Congratulations to Courtwood. There would have been days for them when a result like tonight would have been inconceivable. They deserve all the plaudits tonight
Just goes to show what happens when you have structure and discipline and lads willing to sacrifice their game for the collective. Brought home to me by the Courtwood lad marking Dillon. He just stuck to his job and didn't try to be anything other than a man marker
The failure at underage for a decade or so is really starting to filter into the Portlaoise senior team now. Courtwood have had better players coming through these last few years and in reality this result should not be seen as a shock.
Very young Portlaoise team would not be shocked if you named 7 of them on a Junior Team
Worrying result for Portlaoise. While they can't be ruled out, they have now lost in successive years to Emo and Courtwood. I didn't see last night's game but am hearing Hugh Coghlan is involved in the background with Courtwood and is highly rated.
Hands up though. Never saw that result coming.
disapointed in the way we were last night but full of praise for courtwood it didnt faze them at all and deserving winners,,Brody is one hell of a loss and obivously now that bruno is gone the last while we are totally struggling in the forward movement and play ,,time does move on too though and kieran and conor are getting on the latter end of the stick too,,i am now totally wrong in my predictions so far :-\
Portlaoise were terrible last night. Alarm bells should be ringing in that club, because it really isn't functioning properly at all. Some will point to Court wood's win as testimony to the strength and competitiveness of the Championship, but let's not kid ourselves here. Portlaoise took very little beating last night, and the standard of football on show was terrible. I am full of admiration for Courtwood and what they achieved, but that's the only positive to take from last night
Super win for courtwood ,well deserved.
As for Portlaoise that was truly awful on so many levels , if they play like that again it's a relegation final we are staring down the barrell of.
Despite all of the doom and gloom, it's good to see young players impressing in the 2020 and 2021 championships. I'm thinking particularly of forwards such as Ronan Coffey and Rioghan Murphy of Portarlington, Niall Dunne of Courtwood and tonight, Mark Barry of O'Dempseys in their match against Emo. Hopefully there will be more impressive performances in the championship from guys who we will need to form the backbone of a young Laois team over the coming years.
I could never understand why Portlaoise got rid of M. Mcnulthy, he had them absolutely flying. The loss of him, Bruno the focal point and Broady as the escape strategy was their entire game plan.
Saying that, everyone will want to avoid Portlaoise in the losers section next round!!
Giant squid we had a different team when malachy was there our focal point is retired 2 years and brody wont play for the club so its a silly point your making mal is gone a long time and there has been plenty of retirements or have you failed to see that ?????i can list more than 10 to 12 players not there now since his time and the clubs who are comming to the fore worked on there kids clubs while we have won fek all minor and u 21 u20 championships,,great to see younger lads comming through but we have to persist for a year or two till they get a lil older ,,no junior champ no intermediate champ won in years there lies the problem for a town of this size
Quote from: Chrimtain on September 03, 2021, 09:50:59 PM
Despite all of the doom and gloom, it's good to see young players impressing in the 2020 and 2021 championships. I'm thinking particularly of forwards such as Ronan Coffey and Rioghan Murphy of Portarlington, Niall Dunne of Courtwood and tonight, Mark Barry of O'Dempseys in their match against Emo. Hopefully there will be more impressive performances in the championship from guys who we will need to form the backbone of a young Laois team over the coming years.
I think Sean Moore of Ballyfin, should be added to that list of young players who may slot into a new Laois team soon.
I'm sure some find this topic boring, but I think there is no harm in pointing out that there is some young talent in Laois that a new manager/coach can work with in Division 3 next year. Whether these young lads are interested in putting on the county jersey and are up to intercounty standard only time will tell.
Quote from: town1980 on September 04, 2021, 10:53:55 AM
Giant squid we had a different team when malachy was there our focal point is retired 2 years and brody wont play for the club so its a silly point your making mal is gone a long time and there has been plenty of retirements or have you failed to see that ?????i can list more than 10 to 12 players not there now since his time and the clubs who are comming to the fore worked on there kids clubs while we have won fek all minor and u 21 u20 championships,,great to see younger lads comming through but we have to persist for a year or two till they get a lil older ,,no junior champ no intermediate champ won in years there lies the problem for a town of this size
Incorrect with regards Brody.its a lie and you know it only too well, you will not drag a players name through the mud like that on here .
The reality is Brody has been training away and was listed on the panel Thurs night .
Ballyfin put it up to Port.
Graigue won in 2nd gear tonight.
Portlaoise kid how is it dragging a name through the mud he wouldn't play so what are you talking about I know his back after a lot of persuasion so it's a reality ,,without him we are weakened simple as,,stop trying to make something of it
Senior round 2 draw...
Winners Section:
Portarlington v Courtwood
Ballyroan v St Joseph's
O'Dempseys v Rosenallis
Stradbally v Graiguecullen
Losers Section:
Arles-Killeen v Killeshin
The Heath v Emo
Portlaoise v Ballyfin
Clonaslee St Manmans v Ballylinan
Some interesting ties in there. Courtwood will have a right go at Port and shouldn't lack for confidence afte beating Portlaoise. Ballyroan and St Joseph's could both be two dark horses for the championship. You could argue Portlaoise got the hardest draw in the losers section in Ballyfin as well.
Quote from: town1980 on September 05, 2021, 08:41:13 AM
Portlaoise kid how is it dragging a name through the mud he wouldn't play so what are you talking about I know his back after a lot of persuasion so it's a reality ,,without him we are weakened simple as,,stop trying to make something of it
You said he wouldn't play and he is playing so your statement was untrue. I'm not making a big deal of it, it's the least of Portlaoise worries.
The most open championship ever wahoooo
Some interesting ties the next day alright . I watched all 16 teams play over the weekend so I've got a feel for most of the teams and what they have to offer .
Killeen vs Killeshin= should be an easy win for killeshin despite being 2nd best all game against Ballyroan yesterday. Killeen have completely run out of steam and age has caught up with them . Killeen certs for relegation in my opinion . Killeshin will have the legs on them next day out.
The Heath vs Emo = two poor sides who were well beaten in round one . Should be a very close encounter. Emo completely dependent on Darren Strong . Emo have seriously regressed since last year . The heath never looked like beating Graigue .
Portlaoise vs Ballyfin = Portlaoise have seriously regressed the last two years and it was evident again against Courtwood . Ballyfin put in a very brave display against Port and I thought they were going to sneak it all the end . Portlaoise should just about win it but if Ballyfin snook a win it wouldn't be a big surprise to me .
Clonaslee vs Ballylinan = Clonaslee put in a solid first half display against Joseph's today and at a few stages looked as if they would beat Joseph's . They then completely ran out of steam in the second half . Ballylinan were poorish today but have Gary Walsh and Jamie Farrell to comeback . Ballylinan should have enough to beat Clonaslee although it might be closer than some expect.
Portarlington vs Courtwood = Port are the best team in the county and deserved champions from last year . Despite that and also being short 3 or 4 they were actually very very average at times against a brave Ballyfin . I'm sure Port will only get better as the championship progresses. Courtwood put in one of the displays of the weekend against Portlaoise and are a solid little club and attractive to watch. If they play as well as they did against Portlaoise and Port play as average as they did against Ballyfin then Courtwood could beat them . I expect port to up it though and have enough for a brave Courtwood team.
Ballyroan vs St Joseph's = Ballyroan were the best team this weekend in my opinion. Pace , youth and quality on every line of the pitch and should of beaten killeshin by at least 10 points . Seem to be really improving now and their underage success is maybe starting to come through to senior . St Joseph's won by 8 points against Clonaslee but in all fairness it was a lot Closer than that and Joseph's were actually very very average . I expect Ballyroan to take them .
ODempseys vs Rosenallis = ODempseys had a well deserved win against Emo despite being dominated at midfield by Strong . Emo backs very very poor and ODempseys young pacy fowards made them pay . Hard to gauge where ODempseys really are at because Emo were so poor . Rosenallis had an impressive win against Ballylinan today .Rosenallis are a very improved side . Plenty of pace and youth in the team and are very strong at midfield with John O Loughlin and Eoin Dunne who could possibly exploit ODempseys poor midfield . Very hard match to call could go either way .
Stradbally vs Graigucullen = Stradbally had the biggest winning margin this weekend against a diabolical Killeen outfit. Stradbally done what they had to do but like ODempseys it's hard to gauge them Against poor opposition like Killeen . Graigue beat The heath and it was a very comfortable win for Graigue . Should be in the mix for a semi final spot but I'm not sure they can go all the way . I'd expect Graigue to just about have too much for Stradbally the next day .
Disappointing to hear the live streaming of games has finished following yesterday's games. I really think they should have seen out the 2021 championship anyways as no doubt people will be nervous still and might want to watch them at home. A poor PR move!
good reflection on all the games there laoisabu,,i got alot of my predictions wrong so im seeing clubs step up to the mark which makes for exciting games to come,who is over killeen ?
Quote from: town1980 on September 06, 2021, 10:16:59 AM
good reflection on all the games there laoisabu,,i got alot of my predictions wrong so im seeing clubs step up to the mark which makes for exciting games to come,who is over killeen ?
Rory Stapleton from Annanough
I'm giving myself 5 out of 7 on the weekend predictions! I kind of sat on the fence a bit on the Rosenallis v Ballylinan game!
Don't think anyone saw the Courtwood result happening and O'Dempseys were way better than I thought they would be against Emo.
I expect Port, O'Dempseys, Graigue and B Abbey to go direct to the quarter finals. And in the other 4 games I expect Portlaoise, Emo, Killeshin and Ballylinan to revive their season leaving Ballyfin, Killeen, The Heath and Clonaslee to fight the drop.
Quote from: Batman!!! on September 06, 2021, 08:31:46 AM
Disappointing to hear the live streaming of games has finished following yesterday's games. I really think they should have seen out the 2021 championship anyways as no doubt people will be nervous still and might want to watch them at home. A poor PR move!
Probably hoping to get people back to O Moore Park. There were tickets available for the weekend in all matches with only 500 per game allowed. Says a lot really. The double and triple headers should be shelved and the games played at a venue halfway between the two. Better chance of getting some sort of crowd at individual games. Nobody would sit and watch 3 poor matches bar it's in the comfort of your own home.
Quote from: High Fielder on September 06, 2021, 11:26:57 AM
Quote from: Batman!!! on September 06, 2021, 08:31:46 AM
Disappointing to hear the live streaming of games has finished following yesterday's games. I really think they should have seen out the 2021 championship anyways as no doubt people will be nervous still and might want to watch them at home. A poor PR move!
Probably hoping to get people back to O Moore Park. There were tickets available for the weekend in all matches with only 500 per game allowed. Says a lot really. The double and triple headers should be shelved and the games played at a venue halfway between the two. Better chance of getting some sort of crowd at individual games. Nobody would sit and watch 3 poor matches bar it's in the comfort of your own home.
Why don't they take the matches out of OMP and into club grounds around the county? Imagine the atmosphere that would be generated as opposed to the restrained atmosphere in OMP. It could have a huge effect on the matches themselves.
I agree. Nothing in this county is done for the sake of players or supporters though. Just the way it is
It's a complete disaster if this live streaming of games is stopped now . The least they could do is see out the championship.
Covid is still around us and people who might not feel quite comfortable going back to games yet should have the luxury of watching games in their own home .
Elderly people or people not well who might not be fit to attend games should be able to watch games from their own homes .
People who are Abroad and not in the country should be able to watch their own clubs playing online in this day and age
Some of the poorer games which mightn't be worth driving all the way to Portlaoise to watch should be watchable online from your own home .
With the evenings starting to close in and the winter around the corner it would be handy to watch some matches at home
The picture And sound quality is great and the commentary and player/team insight is top notch so I don't see why they should do away with one of the more positive things that has kept us going through these uncertain times
https://www.laoistoday.ie/2021/09/06/13-clubs-represented-on-team-of-the-week-following-round-1-sfc-and-ifc-action/
Good to see so many young players on Laois Today's team of the week.
Niall Corbet should be given a chance to play out the field for Laois next year. Very natural footballer and a good free taker as well which we need.
Quote from: Silkyskillssunshinee on September 06, 2021, 05:11:40 PM
Niall Corbet should be given a chance to play out the field for Laois next year. Very natural footballer and a good free taker as well which we need.
Another older player I would like to see getting an opportunity with Laois is Portarlington's Adam Ryan, if he is interested.
some great games some great performances also..any in house manager on show that would impress yee? ,,all of the managers seem to be working with younger lads thats all
Quote from: Laoiseabu on September 06, 2021, 02:47:15 PM
It's a complete disaster if this live streaming of games is stopped now . The least they could do is see out the championship.
Covid is still around us and people who might not feel quite comfortable going back to games yet should have the luxury of watching games in their own home .
Elderly people or people not well who might not be fit to attend games should be able to watch games from their own homes .
People who are Abroad and not in the country should be able to watch their own clubs playing online in this day and age
Some of the poorer games which mightn't be worth driving all the way to Portlaoise to watch should be watchable online from your own home .
With the evenings starting to close in and the winter around the corner it would be handy to watch some matches at home
The picture And sound quality is great and the commentary and player/team insight is top notch so I don't see why they should do away with one of the more positive things that has kept us going through these uncertain times
Fully agree with all this. A lot of unhappy people it seems. It definitely should have been kept for the remainder of the 2021 championship.
15euros on the turn stiles for senior games very costly for one game.
Is it 15e for one game?
The streaming is, or was great for people living any distance from Portlaoise.
If you don't get tickets on line it's 15euro for a single game.
Anyone know what the situation is with Jody Dillon , Barney Maher and Tom Shiel ? I didn't see them at the weekend and they would definitely improve the Stradbally team .
Quote from: Laoiseabu on September 07, 2021, 12:49:07 AM
Anyone know what the situation is with Jody Dillon , Barney Maher and Tom Shiel ? I didn't see them at the weekend and they would definitely improve the Stradbally team .
Jody Dillon: Oversees with the army due back next week
Tom Shiel: hamstring injury back then next day
Darren Maher: pulled up in the warm up and was named to start
Stradbally could be bit of surprise package this year. Once every 4/5 years manage to get everyone available to them fit and playing. When they do, they have a panel of players that can compete with anyone. After weekend's performance, and with players still to return, they look like that they are in that cohort of 3 or 4 clubs that could possibly topple Portarlington.
Quote from: Laois Rising on September 08, 2021, 11:43:15 AM
Stradbally could be bit of surprise package this year. Once every 4/5 years manage to get everyone available to them fit and playing. When they do, they have a panel of players that can compete with anyone. After weekend's performance, and with players still to return, they look like that they are in that cohort of 3 or 4 clubs that could possibly topple Portarlington.
Stradbally looked decent against Killeen but in all fairness Killeen were so so poor that it's very hard to judge where Stradbally are at . Shiel , Dillon and Barney Back The next day will bring Stradbally on even more though . Stradbally are due a good championship run.
Portarlington, Ballyroan Abbey , Portlaoise , Graiguecullen, Courtwood, ODempseys, St Joseph's , Stradbally should all be in the mix come the business end but I'm leaning towards Portarlington or Ballyroan . Portlaoise as much as they have regressed If they get Seale and Flanagan back could still have a say yet .
Ballyfin and Rosenallis although probably not good enough to win the championship on their day could beat some of the teams above . Two young , mobile ,really improved sides who both have potential to cause the " bigger clubs " an upset . Underestimate them at your peril.
I think people are overrating Stradbally's performance a good bit here. Killeen got destroyed by Emo in the Division 1B league final by Emo, who then went and got well beat themselves by O'Dempseys in the first round of championship.
Obviously the 3 lads will make a difference but I still don't see them beating Port. As Laoisabu said above, I like the look of Ballyroan Abbey who could be the big challengers this season and I think they'll beat Joseph's the next day by 3-5 points. They have some very good youngsters (Diarmuid Whelan, Shaun Fitzpatrick, Brian Whelan, Davin McEvoy), the likes of Padraig McMahon, MJ Tierney and Marty Scully provide a bit of experience and a decent manager in Clancy who has them well organised.
Quote from: Silkyskillssunshinee on September 08, 2021, 03:29:04 PM
I think people are overrating Stradbally's performance a good bit here. Killeen got destroyed by Emo in the Division 1B league final by Emo, who then went and got well beat themselves by O'Dempseys in the first round of championship.
Obviously the 3 lads will make a difference but I still don't see them beating Port. As Laoisabu said above, I like the look of Ballyroan Abbey who could be the big challengers this season and I think they'll beat Joseph's the next day by 3-5 points. They have some very good youngsters (Diarmuid Whelan, Shaun Fitzpatrick, Brian Whelan, Davin McEvoy), the likes of Padraig McMahon, MJ Tierney and Marty Scully provide a bit of experience and a decent manager in Clancy who has them well organised.
Even If ballyroan don't do it this year I expect them to be a force from now on for the foreseeable future. The age profile of the squad and all the underage success they have had would suggest they could be the team to beat at senior very soon .
When everyone is available and the squad is at full strength Padraig Clancy potentially could be working with something like this:( obviously everyone wont be available for different reasons) but anyway:
Goalkeepers = Andrew Bonham , Paudie McDonald , Conor Collins
Defenders = Conor McWey , Fionnan Mahoney , Gavin Tynan, Martin Scully , Conor Brennan, Danny Brennan , Ruairi Dunne , Adam Dunne , Cian Moffitt , Diarmuid Conway , Evan McEvoy , Connaire Gee ,Aaron McEvoy , Colm Walsh , Barry Walsh , Ciaran Byrne , Mark Cahill , Aaron Carroll, Lawson Obular , Jamie Bartley , Sam Quinn , Eamonn Fitzpatrick.
Midfield =Diarmuid Whelan, Cathal Doyle , Shaun Murphy , Liam Delaney, James McWey , Michael Brennan , Jake Cranny
Fowards = Diarmuid Whelan , Enda McWey, Shaun Fitzpatrick, Davin McEvoy, MJ Tierney , Charlie Whelan , Padraig McMahon , Ciaran Carroll, Colin Kinsella , Padraig Rafter, Adam Brennan, Stephen Thompson, Ben McDonald , Scott Conroy , Brian Whelan , Odhran Delaney, Jamie Whelan, John Rogers , James Keyes , Dylan Cuddy , Alan McWey
Also you have Darren Mulhall , Patrick Whelan and Killian Byrne who ALL started for Laois minor footballers this year but won't be eligible to play senior with Ballyroan till next year .
There is obviously a conveyer belt of talent coming through down there and Padraig Clancy is a lucky man with what he has coming through . They SHOULD be winning a number of senior championships in the near future . Obviously the arrangement with Abbeyleix is a help plus the help on an odd player from Colt but there is very few clubs In Laois that can boast a panel with depth like that and as I pointed out there is more to come through in the next few years .
To win any championship I don't think should is the word ,, heart desire will to win will to train that's why we were on top for so many years, by all accounts the players have bought into him and Saturday proved it but let's see consistency now I think you are blowing them up way to much I think joes will scrape through
Can someone here explain to me how we get to use differant people to sound out a new manager ,,fergal byron,Donie Norton ,Michael murphy picked john sugru why arent they picked to do the same job ??it makes know sense to me ,John sugru it looks like for me so i dont know why we need to interview him
Box ticking exercise. If all these people approve the appointment, then our CB are free from criticism. I think it also shows that we're fishing in shallow waters here. I can't imagine too many coaches outside of Laois would want the role. And there's nobody remotely qualified internally, except for Sugrue. By my reckoning that leaves Sugrue and your pick of the rest.
You'd have to wonder what the hell CB officials are there to do! Four man review committee to look back on to the past and four more to look to the future!
remotly qualified we have been down that route of qualified but the man thats over any team has to make his players tick at the minute ,courtwood port ballyroan o dempseys all have managers that are doing there job right,,i agree john is a stand out candidate all them managers of them respective teams should be interviewed,,john did win a div 4 bad league and got lucky to get to div 2 i also know he did a good job and if he wants it then no bother but i think there are lots of talented coachs and your gona see this with my own club not being so dominant
Quote from: Saint 1963 on September 09, 2021, 02:14:49 PM
You'd have to wonder what the hell CB officials are there to do! Four man review committee to look back on to the past and four more to look to the future!
Them boxes need ticking and no better buachailli than ours to engage in such exercises.
Quote from: town1980 on September 09, 2021, 03:12:12 PM
remotly qualified we have been down that route of qualified but the man thats over any team has to make his players tick at the minute ,courtwood port ballyroan o dempseys all have managers that are doing there job right,,i agree john is a stand out candidate all them managers of them respective teams should be interviewed,,john did win a div 4 bad league and got lucky to get to div 2 i also know he did a good job and if he wants it then no bother but i think there are lots of talented coachs and your gona see this with my own club not being so dominant
Can anyone translate this?
Quote from: town1980 on September 09, 2021, 03:12:12 PM
remotly qualified we have been down that route of qualified but the man thats over any team has to make his players tick at the minute ,courtwood port ballyroan o dempseys all have managers that are doing there job right,,i agree john is a stand out candidate all them managers of them respective teams should be interviewed,,john did win a div 4 bad league and got lucky to get to div 2 i also know he did a good job and if he wants it then no bother but i think there are lots of talented coachs and your gona see this with my own club not being so dominant
Unless they have something radical up their sleeve, no coach in Laois has achieved anything noteworthy, except perhaps Martin Murphy, who at least has managed more than one team to a Championship. He deserves first refusal but after that, it's Sugrue or nobody for me. It really is that simple. You have to differentiate between coaches who can improve teams and teams that improve coaches. There are very few of the former in Laois.
Read it and you will understand Batman,, high fielder I agree I love your posts but I do believe there's more than John
Sugrue took over us when we were in division 4 when we couldn't go any lower and brought us up to division 3 then got a bit of luck and snook us up to division 2 then left.
In those two years could someone honestly name ONE half decent team that we beat in div 3 and div 4 ? If John stayed and faced into division 2 with us he would of eventually encountered the very same problems as Quirke .
Sugrue might make us somewhat competitive in division 3 next year but he won't be performing any miracles I'm afraid.
I agree to an extent. I did think there was improvement though. The divisions that we seem to always get in the camp weren't as obvious either. But I agree with you Laoiseabu that we shouldn't be looking for a miracle maker. We've had years of being beaten up and we're mentally broken when pressure is applied. That's why I think this is a bit of a non issue. We need a root and branch style overhaul and preferably, in my opinion, the CB to f**k off with themselves. Things couldn't get any worse than they are right now
Quote from: town1980 on September 02, 2021, 04:54:52 PM
this thread is for the senior championship 2021 keep it to it or start a new one
As you said yourself. Maybe try and keep this thread to the SFC?
agreed
any predictions?
Winners Section:
Portarlington v Courtwood - Port by around 6 or 7 - they have a bench to see them through
Ballyroan Abbey v St Joseph's - Think Ballyroan Abbey will win by around 3. Some excellent young lads in their team.
O'Dempseys v Rosenallis - expect O'Dempseys experience to edge them through
Stradbally v Graiguecullen - Graigue have a nice young team and I think they might win this but wouldn't be surprised if we had extra time
Losers Section:
The Heath v Emo - Emo should bounce back although local derby might produce a big game from Heath
Arles-Killeen v Killeshin - Killeshin by 5 unless the Kingstons can produce an almighty performance
Portlaoise v Ballyfin - Surely Portlaoise but if they repeat the Courtwood performance, they will get punished
Clonaslee St Manmans v Ballylinan - Walsh and Farrell back should swing it to Ballylinan
portarlington ,,i think to win easy and bully there neighbours a great game for them to get back on track
joes ,,50/50 game joes to edge it
o dempseys to win handy
Graigue,, after a battle graigue second best in the county for me and good chance of a final appearance again
the heath,, not a happy camp over there in emo players not taking it as serious as last year so the heath for me
killeshin,, too young for killeen and to win easy killeen i think favourites for relegation
Portlaoise ,,after a scare maybe a few changes im hearing happening also
Ballylinan ,,to scrape through against a solid Clonaslee outfit
i know i will be wrong on a few again
I like the justifications for each of your predictions town1980. It is surprising to hear that the wind has been so badly taken out of Emo's sails for this year's championship. They had great momentum at the end of 2020 and it is a pity the championship was halted when it was for them. They have a number of good young players coming through as well. Perhaps its a case of playing out 2021 and re-setting again for 2022. Once they don't repeat their party trick of having a great year (2015 county finalists) to be embarrassingly relegated they year after (2016).
Quote from: town1980 on September 14, 2021, 09:21:42 AM
Portlaoise ,,after a scare maybe a few changes im hearing happening also
Surely Ciaran McEvoy, Holland, Paddy Downey will all come in the next day? Flanagan too if fit.
definetly changes going to happen but kevin knows this himself
Winner's Section:
Portarlington v Courtwood
I think Port are an awful match for Courtwood. They have similar strengths in a lot of ways but Port just have more of them. Port by 8.
Ballyroan Abbey v St Joseph's
Interesting game this. BA can be great to watch but will they relish the type of game Joseph's will play; I'm not so sure.
Heart says Ballyroan; head says Joe's.
I'll go with Ballyroan by 3.
O'Dempseys v Rosenallis
I really liked the look of O'Dempseys the last day. They should match the athleticism of Rosenallis and I think they've a better spread of scoring threats.
O'Ds by 6.
Stradbally v Graiguecullen
This is the game I'm most looking forward to. I like a lot about Stradbally; I think they're building something really worthwhile but Graigue might be a little further down the line.
This will be very close and I wouldn't be surprised to see this going all the way to penalties.
I'll go with Graigue to come through.
Losers Section:
The Heath vs Emo
I'd be very worried about The Heath. I think Emo will have knives sharpened for this one and I can't see where The Heath will get their scores. Emo by 10.
Arles-Killeen v Killeshin
I've heard Donie Kingston may be a doubt for this one. If he plays I think Killeen may keep it close but I still think Killeshin will prevail by 3/4. If he doesn't play, it could be any score.
Clonaslee St Manmans v Ballylinan
I've a sneaky feeling Clonaslee could win this. They're a well-rounded team and I just feel they might be able to hold Ballylinan's key players.
Portlaoise v Ballyfin
My heart is ruling my head but I think Ballyfin might cause a shock here. Port was a brutal first round draw and this is just as hard but I'd contend we were the better team for substantial periods of the last game, albeit Port weren't at their best.
Portlaoise should win but I'll take Ballyfin to edge it by 2.
Ballylinan, Portlaoise, Killeshin, The Heath, Port, Ballyroan Abbey, O'Dempseys and Graiguecullen all to win at the weekend.
I think Killeen could be in real bother and I'd tip them as favourites for relegation.
I had a feeling Clonaslee would win last night and they could easily have another big performance in them if the get a decent draw.
They have a solid team with athleticism in the right places. And Corbett is just a joy to watch.
I'm sticking to my prediction for a massive upset tonight.
Quote from: Robbo on September 17, 2021, 09:49:11 AM
I had a feeling Clonaslee would win last night and they could easily have another big performance in them if the get a decent draw.
They have a solid team with athleticism in the right places. And Corbett is just a joy to watch.
I'm sticking to my prediction for a massive upset tonight.
Good call last night Robbo. I had thought Walsh coming back would lead Ballylinan to a win but he was clearly injured (and still kicked 6 or 7 points). Clonaslee looked decent. Big, mobile and if they can be a bit more clinical they could well get to a quarter final. They could be playing the likes of Courtwood, Rosenallis or maybe Stradbally in Round 3 and would fancy their chances.
Port by 11, Ballyroan AET, Dempseys by 3, graig by 8
Portlaoise by 2, emo by 1, killeshin by 5, Clonaslee by 2
Well done to Portlaoise. Came good at the end; can't help but feel that they got out of jail.
Feels a little harsh that Ballyfin are out after two good performances but that's sport.
Shocking bad luck for Ballyfin. They draw Port in the opening round and will feel they could have beat them as well. Then they get Portlaoise the next day and would have definitely beaten that if they had 15 men on the pitch. They should have plenty to spare over whoever they get in the relegation semi-final, but it might be hard to raise morale after two heartbreaking defeats like that.
Portlaoise will be over the moon just to still be in championship as was seen in the celebrations at the final whistle. They are no doubt in decline though and the players don't seem all that happy with the management team at times. Which ever team plays them in round 3 should have no fear of them like Ballyfin and Courtwood showed already.
Celebrations is right I'll be honest we are a joke at the minute no words to describe what I'm looking at
Quote from: Batman!!! on September 17, 2021, 11:09:11 PM
Level of refereeing in this championship is scandelous.
To what are you referring?
Absolutely shocking I seen the video on Laois today that supporter in the brown should be banned and charged with assault ,,if it was clonaslee the county would go nuts the book has to be thrown at both clubs
Embarrassing. Not a wise decision from LT to put the video up either. Another sad day for Laois GAA.
I was at the game . I think we are blowing up the row a bit . It was mostly handbags. I've seen bigger hits in mass
The video will be circulated and bring this to a whole other level. The actions of Mr Brown there (we'll call him that for now) would certainly be of interest to the Gardai, or at least should be. Big difference between a ban and a criminal matter. I don't think the video should have been posted, but it's their choice and they seemed happy to do so
Not near comparable with previous stuff, handbags at best. Would it get into top 5, place is going soft. Should not happen but lots of emotion.
Very obviously a man has run from the crowd and thrown a flurry of punches. That's a little more than handbags. There will of course be attempts to defuse the situation, but it's serious and embarrassing. Those of us who were there know what we saw and also know the perpetrators. Now it's time for the CB to take action. Handbags me arse.
One of our GDA's didn't cover himself in glory either. Fine example to younger players.
Port look like they will be difficult to stop for two in a row. Hopefully the incoming Laois manager, whoever it is, can get a few more of their lads to go in with the county panel.
Quote from: Silkyskillssunshinee on September 19, 2021, 02:05:23 PM
Port look like they will be difficult to stop for two in a row. Hopefully the incoming Laois manager, whoever it is, can get a few more of their lads to go in with the county panel.
Hopefully whoever he is can get Adam Ryan to commit as well as some of the younger lads.
Quote from: Smellyball on September 17, 2021, 11:34:26 AM
Port by 11, Ballyroan AET, Dempseys by 3, graig by 8
Portlaoise by 2, emo by 1, killeshin by 5, Clonaslee by 2
By jaysus I am brilliant, there's nothing I don't know about football!
Quote from: Smellyball on September 19, 2021, 08:38:36 PM
Quote from: Smellyball on September 17, 2021, 11:34:26 AM
Port by 11, Ballyroan AET, Dempseys by 3, graig by 8
Portlaoise by 2, emo by 1, killeshin by 5, Clonaslee by 2
By jaysus I am brilliant, there's nothing I don't know about football!
Jaysus that's some going fair play . Who will win it out if you had to pick one ?
Quote from: Laoiseabu on September 19, 2021, 09:06:33 PM
Quote from: Smellyball on September 19, 2021, 08:38:36 PM
Quote from: Smellyball on September 17, 2021, 11:34:26 AM
Port by 11, Ballyroan AET, Dempseys by 3, graig by 8
Portlaoise by 2, emo by 1, killeshin by 5, Clonaslee by 2
By jaysus I am brilliant, there's nothing I don't know about football!
Jaysus that's some going fair play . Who will win it out if you had to pick one ?
Hard to look past portarlington in fairness.
I keep expecting portlaoise buck up but there just doesn't seem to be any improvement from them. Maybe that umpire the other night has given them the lift they need to get going, but as someone posted a few days ago... maybe there's unrest in the camp.
If Port are dominant on Laois Team we are in dire straits, which we are club football is a shadow of 2000-2010
Smellyball ffs some predictions
Quote from: Smellyball on September 19, 2021, 08:38:36 PM
Quote from: Smellyball on September 17, 2021, 11:34:26 AM
Port by 11, Ballyroan AET, Dempseys by 3, graig by 8
Portlaoise by 2, emo by 1, killeshin by 5, Clonaslee by 2
By jaysus I am brilliant, there's nothing I don't know about football!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Round 3 draw;
Killeshin v Stradbally
Clonaslee St Manman's v Courtwood
Portlaoise v St Joseph's
Emo v Rosenallis
And the Relegation Semi-Finals
Ballyfin v The Heath
Arles-Killeen v Ballylinan
All hard games to call. I'd be edging towards Stradbally, Courtwood, Portlaoise and Emo. And maybe Ballyfin and Ballylinan to stay out of the relegation final.
Quote from: BallyroanAbu on September 20, 2021, 12:33:17 AM
If Port are dominant on Laois Team we are in dire straits, which we are club football is a shadow of 2000-2010
Completely agree. Once again some on here are confusing looking good in our Championship with being good enough to play inter county football. The two are miles apart.
Well they have had four starters the last few years,do you not think Coffey,moore or the two corner backs are of county standard
From the first two rounds of championship games how many players in the 20-25 years of age category have really stood out as capable of stepping up and making an impact at intercounty level. For me, Sean Moore did very well in both games against Port and PLaoise. I would like to see him get a proper run in 2022 with the county.
Quote from: Laois fan on September 20, 2021, 12:14:11 PM
Well they have had four starters the last few years,do you not think Coffey,moore or the two corner backs are of county standard
The Laois team at the moment isn't the hardest to break into. The more obvious question should be who can improve the team. The first question is easier to answer than the second. I'm not saying it isn't possible and the right coach would help, but for me, nobody is really standing out enough to make them obvious candidates. A good player should stand out in every game at this level surely?
I've seen a lot of matches in both codes over the last couple of weeks. We're not in a great place but at least the football looks quite competitive. I didn't go into the 2 early games on Sunday and though Port are worthy favourites, they're not miles ahead of the pack by any means.
Have to say I was very disappointed with Stradbally. They played into Graigue's hands. I had them as potential dark-horses but they looked a good deal off. Graigue will be there or thereabouts.
O'Dempseys laboured over Rosenallis. Hatch and Barry are dangerous but you'd worry if they are held. They look well-drilled.
Looking forward, I think we'll see wins for Clonaslee, Joe's, Emo and Stradbally.
Ballyfin and Ballylinan should win the relegation semi-finals.
Port favourites; Graigue second.
Very little between O'Ds, Ballyroan, Joseph's, Portlaoise and maybe Strad/Emo.
Quote from: Robbo on September 20, 2021, 02:42:53 PM
I've seen a lot of matches in both codes over the last couple of weeks. We're not in a great place but at least the football looks quite competitive. I didn't go into the 2 early games on Sunday and though Port are worthy favourites, they're not miles ahead of the pack by any means.
Have to say I was very disappointed with Stradbally. They played into Graigue's hands. I had them as potential dark-horses but they looked a good deal off. Graigue will be there or thereabouts.
O'Dempseys laboured over Rosenallis. Hatch and Barry are dangerous but you'd worry if they are held. They look well-drilled.
Looking forward, I think we'll see wins for Clonaslee, Joe's, Emo and Stradbally.
Ballyfin and Ballylinan should win the relegation semi-finals.
Port favourites; Graigue second.
Very little between O'Ds, Ballyroan, Joseph's, Portlaoise and maybe Strad/Emo.
The fact that Graigue are still the second best team in the county probably means that everyone else is still a way off competing with Port. They should win the Laois championship again but I'm not sure I see them going very far in Leinster if they reached that stage.
Quote from: Silkyskillssunshinee on September 20, 2021, 04:00:32 PM
Quote from: Robbo on September 20, 2021, 02:42:53 PM
I've seen a lot of matches in both codes over the last couple of weeks. We're not in a great place but at least the football looks quite competitive. I didn't go into the 2 early games on Sunday and though Port are worthy favourites, they're not miles ahead of the pack by any means.
Have to say I was very disappointed with Stradbally. They played into Graigue's hands. I had them as potential dark-horses but they looked a good deal off. Graigue will be there or thereabouts.
O'Dempseys laboured over Rosenallis. Hatch and Barry are dangerous but you'd worry if they are held. They look well-drilled.
Looking forward, I think we'll see wins for Clonaslee, Joe's, Emo and Stradbally.
Ballyfin and Ballylinan should win the relegation semi-finals.
Port favourites; Graigue second.
Very little between O'Ds, Ballyroan, Joseph's, Portlaoise and maybe Strad/Emo.
The fact that Graigue are still the second best team in the county probably means that everyone else is still a way off competing with Port. They should win the Laois championship again but I'm not sure I see them going very far in Leinster if they reached that stage.
Are Graigue really the second best team in the county though ? I know they got to last years final but they were well beaten by Port. Are they actually any better than Ballyroan, Portlaoise, St Joseph's , ODempseys, Courtwood ??? I'm not sure . If you took Port out of it you would have a right dung heap
I have to agree with robbo but I am hoping a meeting with Joseph's will kick us into life,, the dogged defensive display from ballyabbey and plus joes had numerical advantage for most parts of the game and could make zero in roads into them I feel we are well primed to send them out early but only if graham starts Kevin needs to bite the bullet on this one
I enjoy the GAA podcasts that Laois Today produce. They are interesting and provide a means by which those who cannot attend all of the matches (most of us) an insight into the games.
I would, however, love to hear them discuss, with relevant guests, the state of gaelic games in the county, and how badly needed improvements may be brought about.
I would like to hear them discuss these issues with people like Cheddar, Mick Dempsey, Chris Conway and other relevant people.
I think.such a podcast (or series of podcasts) could be beneficial.
Apart from this forum, it seems to me that the state of the GAA is not discussed at all in the county. Laois Today can provide a huge service by filling that void.
You're basically asking for people to have a discussion about the failings of individuals, clubs and successive County Boards to address ongoing issues. How unlikely is that? Remember, at the end of the day, all politics is local. It doesn't make a whole pile of difference to any of these people how deep in the shit Laois GAA is. The story still gets written and the administrators still administrate.
New manager announced soon. Some of the applicants were worse than I could have imagined, but you'll get that when you're in the state we are. It'll get the red carpet treatment anyway, but we have far bigger issues to address.
i dont think any of us are going to be happy with who im hearing is nominated ,,alot were approached to do the job and all have turned it down so its a tough process at the minute for the commitee who are probably going to get the blame because the county board stepped away from that process,,still no meeting on why L Phelan was turfed out why would anyone wana be apart of that set up Eddie was given the u20 job and there was alot more candidates looking for it and for me alot more better men,,but the politics of laois GAA is great
The whole process is a joke. The nodding dogs who do or don't attend these CB meetings, and then ratify them for another year and then another, ought to just piss off. Clearly the free parking and entry is clouding their ability to do anything good for Laois GAA. The poor stooks on the Committee probably got a free jacket and expenses. And for what? To stop us being sold to the lowest bidder? There is no hope for us unless we rid ourselves of cronyism and petty politics. I heard the phone calls back and forth after last week's row were like something out of the UN. Priorities eh?
agreed high fielder
Quote from: town1980 on September 23, 2021, 09:18:42 AM
Eddie was given the u20 job and there was alot more candidates looking for it and for me alot more better men,,but the politics of laois GAA is great
Well if you know so much, who were all these other outstanding candidates? Throw up these names, you say there's a lot of them.
John Sugrue
P J Dempsey
Padraig Clancy
Kevin Doogue
Donnacha Phelan
Eoin Kearns
I think all of them expressed an interest but then Eddie did a fine Job getting beaten by Wicklow, so the review must have been positive from Fergal.
Quote from: thegreeenandgold on September 23, 2021, 09:11:18 PM
John Sugrue
P J Dempsey
Padraig Clancy
Kevin Doogue
Donnacha Phelan
Eoin Kearns
I think all of them expressed an interest but then Eddie did a fine Job getting beaten by Wicklow, so the review must have been positive from Fergal.
That Laois U-20 team wasn't a great one, let's be honest. They had been hammered by Meath at their respective Minor grade a few years previous.
Kinsella got a Laois team to a Leinster final before that, where the Dublin side were just too strong in the end and I believe they went on to win an All-Ireland. Personally, I don't have an issue with Kinsella staying on as U-20 manager for another year as I think he's a decent coach. He's done well with Courtwood as well.
Oh SCFC you not in the no..? but the green and gold ffs you have it spot on it's an abs joke what's going on here,, Eddie great referee but beaten well by port at the weekend act Shuda been beaten by more a joke that he has the u20 job again but fergal another man on the review committee who got rid of Laurence phelan is on the job Laois gaa is a joke simple as all of the fore mentioned were interested but one man for me with a track record working with younger lads shuda got the job but I'll let yes guess who I think 🤔
I'd guess by the amount sniffing round this isn't a bad Laois Team.
Quote from: town1980 on September 23, 2021, 09:18:42 AM
i dont think any of us are going to be happy with who im hearing is nominated ,,alot were approached to do the job and all have turned it down so its a tough process at the minute for the commitee who are probably going to get the blame because the county board stepped away from that process,,still no meeting on why L Phelan was turfed out why would anyone wana be apart of that set up Eddie was given the u20 job and there was alot more candidates looking for it and for me alot more better men,,but the politics of laois GAA is great
Who is nominated for the job ? Is it a secret ?
Quote from: thegreeenandgold on September 23, 2021, 09:11:18 PM
John Sugrue
P J Dempsey
Padraig Clancy
Kevin Doogue
Donnacha Phelan
Eoin Kearns
I think all of them expressed an interest but then Eddie did a fine Job getting beaten by Wicklow, so the review must have been positive from Fergal.
You "think all of them expressed an interest"? Sugrue definitely didn't anyway. Out of the rest of them you named kearns would have been an interesting appointment. Can't really see what Donncha Phelan offers. He didn't exactly tear up trees with the minors!
Quote from: SCFC on September 24, 2021, 08:03:59 PM
Quote from: thegreeenandgold on September 23, 2021, 09:11:18 PM
John Sugrue
P J Dempsey
Padraig Clancy
Kevin Doogue
Donnacha Phelan
Eoin Kearns
I think all of them expressed an interest but then Eddie did a fine Job getting beaten by Wicklow, so the review must have been positive from Fergal.
You "think all of them expressed an interest"? Sugrue definitely didn't anyway. Out of the rest of them you named kearns would have been an interesting appointment. Can't really see what Donncha Phelan offers. He didn't exactly tear up trees with the minors!
Pretty sure 3 out of 6 of them lads had no interest in this particular role . Love to hear more of an explanation to this !?
Quote from: Spiritof86 on September 24, 2021, 08:50:06 PM
Quote from: SCFC on September 24, 2021, 08:03:59 PM
Quote from: thegreeenandgold on September 23, 2021, 09:11:18 PM
John Sugrue
P J Dempsey
Padraig Clancy
Kevin Doogue
Donnacha Phelan
Eoin Kearns
I think all of them expressed an interest but then Eddie did a fine Job getting beaten by Wicklow, so the review must have been positive from Fergal.
You "think all of them expressed an interest"? Sugrue definitely didn't anyway. Out of the rest of them you named kearns would have been an interesting appointment. Can't really see what Donncha Phelan offers. He didn't exactly tear up trees with the minors!
Pretty sure 3 out of 6 of them lads had no interest in this particular role . Love to hear more of an explanation to this !?
I was wondering was Kearns in the reckoning for senior post tbh.
I see Mícheal Quirke on ticket with Jack O'Connor for Kerry senior post according to independent.ie
Quote from: Helix. on September 24, 2021, 09:12:45 PM
Quote from: Spiritof86 on September 24, 2021, 08:50:06 PM
Quote from: SCFC on September 24, 2021, 08:03:59 PM
Quote from: thegreeenandgold on September 23, 2021, 09:11:18 PM
John Sugrue
P J Dempsey
Padraig Clancy
Kevin Doogue
Donnacha Phelan
Eoin Kearns
I think all of them expressed an interest but then Eddie did a fine Job getting beaten by Wicklow, so the review must have been positive from Fergal.
You "think all of them expressed an interest"? Sugrue definitely didn't anyway. Out of the rest of them you named kearns would have been an interesting appointment. Can't really see what Donncha Phelan offers. He didn't exactly tear up trees with the minors!
Pretty sure 3 out of 6 of them lads had no interest in this particular role . Love to hear more of an explanation to this !?
I was wondering was Kearns in the reckoning for senior post tbh.
I see Mícheal Quirke on ticket with Jack O'Connor for Kerry senior post according to independent.ie
Good move for Quirke and probably what he needed after his debacle in Laois .
Any suspensions arising out of the brawl between Arles Killeen and Killeshin?
Courtwood by 6, Emo by 5, Stradbally by 1 and Portlaoise by 4
Ballyfin by 3 , Ballylinan by 2.
A lot of tough games to call but thats how they're gonna pan out... you heard it here first folks !!!!😉😉😉
Quote from: Smellyball on September 30, 2021, 02:11:53 PM
Courtwood by 6, Emo by 5, Stradbally by 1 and Portlaoise by 4
Ballyfin by 3 , Ballylinan by 2.
A lot of tough games to call but thats how they're gonna pan out... you heard it here first folks !!!!😉😉😉
I reckon Rosenallis might beat Emo who aren't going well at all this season. Won't be much between Killeshin and Strad, while St Joseph's might finally get one over Portlaoise.
Killeen to edge Ballylinan who have injuries to key players in Lacey and Walsh. Kingston will do all the damage again.
Quote from: BobbyBoucherJr on September 30, 2021, 10:45:54 AM
Any suspensions arising out of the brawl between Arles Killeen and Killeshin?
Wondering the same thing . Surely each club would have heard by now .. then again
Quote from: Spiritof86 on September 30, 2021, 02:49:13 PM
Quote from: BobbyBoucherJr on September 30, 2021, 10:45:54 AM
Any suspensions arising out of the brawl between Arles Killeen and Killeshin?
Wondering the same thing . Surely each club would have heard by now .. then again
I'd say the carpet must be near bursting point now.
Quote from: Silkyskillssunshinee on September 30, 2021, 02:47:13 PM
Quote from: Smellyball on September 30, 2021, 02:11:53 PM
Courtwood by 6, Emo by 5, Stradbally by 1 and Portlaoise by 4
Ballyfin by 3 , Ballylinan by 2.
A lot of tough games to call but thats how they're gonna pan out... you heard it here first folks !!!!😉😉😉
I reckon Rosenallis might beat Emo who aren't going well at all this season. Won't be much between Killeshin and Strad, while St Joseph's might finally get one over Portlaoise.
Killeen to edge Ballylinan who have injuries to key players in Lacey and Walsh. Kingston will do all the damage again.
I thought Walsh was fit, if he's not my prediction goes the other way.
Quote from: Zooming around on September 30, 2021, 03:08:27 PM
Quote from: Spiritof86 on September 30, 2021, 02:49:13 PM
Quote from: BobbyBoucherJr on September 30, 2021, 10:45:54 AM
Any suspensions arising out of the brawl between Arles Killeen and Killeshin?
Wondering the same thing . Surely each club would have heard by now .. then again
I'd say the carpet must be near bursting point now.
The lads on Laois Today were talking about bans carrying over to next year's Championship. I might have picked it up wrong....
i agree with the smellyball
Two clubs involved in the brawl playing this weekend and still no official word from Laois GAA about the outcome of their investigation. Two weeks on. Another mess to put on the pile.
Think emo will beat Rosenallis in the first game today. Be a close game and could be easy on the eye but I just think Emo might have a little more goal-threat.
Emo by 3.
I'm convinced Clonaslee will beat Courtwood too. I think they're building something and will be a solid senior team for next few years.
Clonaslee by 5.
High fielder well said . But as you know there is an employee off Laois gaa playing and a son of former Leinster council,also playing.it's an absolute joke and Niall handy and Peter o neill should be on thechoping block over this.A complete farce and cover up if it was clonaslee what would happen ?
Who said suspensions haven't been issued? Just because it's not released to Laois Today dosent mean it hasn't happened.
Transparency Batman. If that has been done, they should pack their bags.
I heard 10 suspensions with multiple appeals.
Everything is on video.
But it's not what you know, it's what you can prove.....and how far you're willing to go to win your appeal....
I don't really care who got what, but I do want action taken and I do want consistency with previous decisions made. I also want bans to be effective immediately and not relying on some makey uppy rule to try and get your best players on the pitch. Our CB cannot be trusted to do the right thing. Ever. They need to prove otherwise. Laois GAA is not their plaything
Of course action is being taken. People have to be given fair process. If they are charged with an offence, they are entitled to a hearing. A decision is then made and the individual is entitled to an appeal. Whats the problem with that? I don't see why the County Board should be criticised at this point - they didn't cause the row and can only deal after the event with the referees report and the evidence available. It can't be trial by social media. A bit of reasonableness is needed.
Sounds like you know more than the rest of us. We're only looking for transparency here. These teams play tomorrow after all. The dithering will surely allow any guilty parties to play, which shouldn't happen. Or maybe that's the plan. Who knows. We have an anaemic local media so somebody has to question what the f**k is going on here. Might as well be us as anyone, but I welcome your contribution and am happy to debate the point. The whole thing stinks. Standard fare for this county unfortunately
And for what it's worth, I will never be reasonable where I perceive an injustice, an inconsistency or blatant disregard for fair play. I may be wrong but will happily admit to be if good evidence disproves my point. We haven't seen any evidence yet, but in previous similar situations, we knew everything. Remember too that a lot of us were there and know what we saw. No need to mention names
Again i think highfielder is right in everything he says no need to repeat
Quote from: High Fielder on October 02, 2021, 11:09:16 AM
Sounds like you know more than the rest of us. We're only looking for transparency here. These teams play tomorrow after all. The dithering will surely allow any guilty parties to play, which shouldn't happen. Or maybe that's the plan. Who knows. We have an anaemic local media so somebody has to question what the f**k is going on here. Might as well be us as anyone, but I welcome your contribution and am happy to debate the point. The whole thing stinks. Standard fare for this county unfortunately
And for what it's worth, I will never be reasonable where I perceive an injustice, an inconsistency or blatant disregard for fair play. I may be wrong but will happily admit to be if good evidence disproves my point. We haven't seen any evidence yet, but in previous similar situations, we knew everything. Remember too that a lot of us were there and know what we saw. No need to mention names
I know nothing! Have no idea what has been proposed as regards suspensions, fines or even expulsions..... I would agree that the process in GAA disciplinary hearings is drawn out for too long. The number of appeals is a concern. It either means individuals just will not accept the outcome or the process is flawed. IMO the process is flawed and needs an overhaul - in every county.
Quote from: High Fielder on October 02, 2021, 11:09:16 AM
Sounds like you know more than the rest of us. We're only looking for transparency here. These teams play tomorrow after all. The dithering will surely allow any guilty parties to play, which shouldn't happen. Or maybe that's the plan. Who knows. We have an anaemic local media so somebody has to question what the f**k is going on here. Might as well be us as anyone, but I welcome your contribution and am happy to debate the point. The whole thing stinks. Standard fare for this county unfortunately
And for what it's worth, I will never be reasonable where I perceive an injustice, an inconsistency or blatant disregard for fair play. I may be wrong but will happily admit to be if good evidence disproves my point. We haven't seen any evidence yet, but in previous similar situations, we knew everything. Remember too that a lot of us were there and know what we saw. No need to mention names
I agree with high fielder that those responsible should be punished but when do the County Board ever publish suspension in the media? The secretary of the clubs involved are notified of the proposed suspensions and they have 48 hours to appeal.
The only time suspensions are published to other clubs and individuals is in the minutes of County Board meetings ever month where the clubs delegates attend. All minutes or County Board meetings are circulated to Club secretary and delegates in advance.
Camross and Clonaslee could educate us here. Dangerous precedents being set. The CB will effectively neuter their disciplinary process IF they are inconsistent. And this is what happens when you try and protect individuals or teams.
Quote from: High Fielder on October 02, 2021, 12:03:49 PM
Camross and Clonaslee could educate us here. Dangerous precedents being set. The CB will effectively neuter their disciplinary process IF they are inconsistent. And this is what happens when you try and protect individuals or teams.
But a couple of years ago a camross player got off. He injured a player, it was discussed everywhere and he got off on appeal.
There's plenty our co board do poorly. And I wish there was more transparency here.
But we shouldn't assume there has been a fuk-up yet....they've issued suspensions. Supporters are probably facing month/year bans and they have right to appeal.
Doubt any of the players will get off.
It'll all wash through soon.
The reason lads get off is because there is inconsistency. Lads come armed with videos and other evidence. Lads found guilty of openly fighting should be banned for the next game. The two week turnaround if anything should be a help here, but no it seems. We're in a proper state as a county because the CB trip themselves up at every turn. Still, it's nice to see one or two of their representatives and friends coming out to bat for them 😄.
Quote from: High Fielder on October 02, 2021, 11:09:16 AM
Sounds like you know more than the rest of us. We're only looking for transparency here. These teams play tomorrow after all. The dithering will surely allow any guilty parties to play, which shouldn't happen. Or maybe that's the plan. Who knows. We have an anaemic local media so somebody has to question what the f**k is going on here. Might as well be us as anyone, but I welcome your contribution and am happy to debate the point. The whole thing stinks. Standard fare for this county unfortunately
And for what it's worth, I will never be reasonable where I perceive an injustice, an inconsistency or blatant disregard for fair play. I may be wrong but will happily admit to be if good evidence disproves my point. We haven't seen any evidence yet, but in previous similar situations, we knew everything. Remember too that a lot of us were there and know what we saw. No need to mention names
Bit unfair to have a pop at the media when Laois Today have been barred for no apparent reason from CB meetings
The conversations going on here are far more reflective of the issues surrounding Laois GAA. To read and listen to our media is to assume that everything in the garden is rosy, which it isn't. I don't go to CB meetings either, but I know a circus when I see one
Quote from: clonadmad on October 02, 2021, 09:07:37 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on October 02, 2021, 11:09:16 AM
Sounds like you know more than the rest of us. We're only looking for transparency here. These teams play tomorrow after all. The dithering will surely allow any guilty parties to play, which shouldn't happen. Or maybe that's the plan. Who knows. We have an anaemic local media so somebody has to question what the f**k is going on here. Might as well be us as anyone, but I welcome your contribution and am happy to debate the point. The whole thing stinks. Standard fare for this county unfortunately
And for what it's worth, I will never be reasonable where I perceive an injustice, an inconsistency or blatant disregard for fair play. I may be wrong but will happily admit to be if good evidence disproves my point. We haven't seen any evidence yet, but in previous similar situations, we knew everything. Remember too that a lot of us were there and know what we saw. No need to mention names
Bit unfair to have a pop at the media when Laois Today have been barred for no apparent reason from CB meetings
I agree.
Probably makes us County Board supporters though.
Clonaslee were the better team tonight IMHO. Missed too many chances. Coudtwood won't go a lot further but they're there on merit and I love the journey they're on.
Emo are just a bit meh.
But they're better meh than Rosenallis. Think they've classy a corner-forward who will slip under the radar for another year or so because of his lack of height.
Clonaslee should have won last night . Will be kicking themselves today . Overall the better team and missed a host of opportunities . Can't fault the work ethic and heart of Courtwood . Best of luck to them . They are a very close knit set up . Interesting to see how they get on the next day .
Quote from: High Fielder on October 02, 2021, 01:35:35 PM
The reason lads get off is because there is inconsistency. Lads come armed with videos and other evidence. Lads found guilty of openly fighting should be banned for the next game. The two week turnaround if anything should be a help here, but no it seems. We're in a proper state as a county because the CB trip themselves up at every turn. Still, it's nice to see one or two of their representatives and friends coming out to bat for them 😄.
Surely videos and evidence are legitimate defence? If a video or evidence exonerates someone isn't that a good thing? Is it not preferable to right a wrong not allow it stand?
I think I know what you mean but it isn't the evidence that is the problem; it is the disciplinary process that needs fixing.
Quote from: Spiritof86 on October 03, 2021, 09:17:59 AM
Clonaslee should have won last night . Will be kicking themselves today . Overall the better team and missed a host of opportunities
Quote from: Robbo on October 02, 2021, 11:38:09 PM
Clonaslee were the better team tonight IMHO.
There's no doubt we used our get out of jail card last night alright but I think we possibly deserved to edge it. We weren't too bad at missing chances ourselves - we really could or should have had two more goals! Given we were down one through suspension and lost two of the starting team in the warm up, we'll take the result and move on.
But, yeah, no doubt, Clonaslee were excellent. A credit to Conor Gorman and whoever else is behind it. They've some grand young players and play plenty of decent football. Like ourselves, tons of mistakes too.
No issue with anyone defending themselves. The problem here is when one lad is witnessed or recorded doing something, and is subsequently exonerated, it opens the floodgates. In truth, nearly everyone bar the obvious two or three could say they were trying to prevent a row in that game. The obvious two or three will just appeal until it falls off the page or the ban is imposed when the games don't matter. If one player in particular is allowed to play today, it will make a mockery of the whole process and basically declare open season on the pitch.
The blessed loophole. Relegation is a different competition seemingly and therefore suspensions don't count. The CB playing next goal wins with Laois GAA. No wonder they can't find a decent coach for our Senior team. Come back Eddie Brennan. Turns out you were right all along.
Quote from: High Fielder on October 03, 2021, 11:29:28 AM
The blessed loophole. Relegation is a different competition seemingly and therefore suspensions don't count. The CB playing next goal wins with Laois GAA. No wonder they can't find a decent coach for our Senior team. Come back Eddie Brennan. Turns out you were right all along.
100% agree with you about relegation. I don't think this is CB fault though - I think this is a Official Guide problem. Its daft that it is considered a separate competition!
What happens if AK get relegated? Will suspensions be on ice until they return to senior status?
Of course it's not just a Laois problem. The farce that allowed a Cork player to play in the Camogie final just illustrates the problem nationally!
Quote from: Saint 1963 on October 03, 2021, 02:58:39 PM
What happens if AK get relegated? Will suspensions be on ice until they return to senior status?
Of course it's not just a Laois problem. The farce that allowed a Cork player to play in the Camogie final just illustrates the problem nationally!
Kileen safe for another year. The Heath Ballylinan relegation final.
In the stand today listening to people going on about Sean Moore in with the County . Lovely footballer and has all the attributes and I'm pretty sure has been in the setup before . Huge difference between a relegation play in Laois and inter county level .
Sincerely hopes he's another chance to prove himself with the county but Jaysus a bit of perspective is needed .
Himself and Gary Walsh are probably among the two most prolific forwards in the county. Some have had repeated chances and offer very little. A bit of perspective for you
Would love to see Sean Moore given and taking another opportunity with Lsois.
Quote from: Spiritof86 on October 03, 2021, 06:50:23 PM
In the stand today listening to people going on about Sean Moore in with the County . Lovely footballer and has all the attributes and I'm pretty sure has been in the setup before . Huge difference between a relegation play in Laois and inter county level .
Sincerely hopes he's another chance to prove himself with the county but Jaysus a bit of perspective is needed .
Strange post. It seemed to start dismissive of the idea of him with the county, but finished with you saying you hope he gets a go with them.
As for the perspective, it's still a senior competition. He scored 2-8 today, I seem to remember David Clifford scoring 1-8 in a junior championship last week, is that an indicator that Clifford's not up to it?
😂😁 not at all . Your comparing Clifford to Moore and the respective grade they are both competing in . ?
My point being and apologies if I'm been too vague is that Moore was in before with the county and was physically not up to it . He deserves another chance without doubt . He's a lovely footballer .
Read the post thoroughly before jumping to conclusions maybe .
Quote from: Spiritof86 on October 03, 2021, 07:58:08 PM
😂😁 not at all . Your comparing Clifford to Moore and the respective grade they are both competing in . ?
My point being and apologies if I'm been too vague is that Moore was in before with the county and was physically not up to it . He deserves another chance without doubt . He's a lovely footballer .
Read the post thoroughly before jumping to conclusions maybe .
I read your post 3 Times and still wasn't sure what point you were making.
Your comment about it only being a relegation game coupled with you saying perspective was needed, implied he's not up to county standard. That's why I felt the need to point out one of the most talked about footballers in the country plays at junior club level.
Junior level in Kerry is a lot different than elsewhere . Anyway well ballyfin today. Thoroughly deserved
Quote from: Smellyball on September 30, 2021, 02:11:53 PM
Courtwood by 6, Emo by 5, Stradbally by 1 and Portlaoise by 4
Ballyfin by 3 , Ballylinan by 2.
A lot of tough games to call but thats how they're gonna pan out... you heard it here first folks !!!!😉😉😉
I'll just point out I'm 14/14 on my predictions posted here. I posted that I'd go against Ballylinan if Walsh wasn't playing (I originally thought he was fit)
HU DA MAN !!!!!! 😇😇😇
Great work Smelly. I hope you're turning your predictions into cash.
Any truth in the rumour that Gerry Hutch has been asked if he fancies the Laois job
Unfortunately Courtwood needing extra time lost my bet for me.
Nah Hutch said he gets less abuse for his current job than he would with the Laois gig.
Anyon hit with a suspension ended up playing today where would you see it? By the Laois Today blog it seems Killeen all won the appeals. A row makes national headlines which has now been brushed under the carpet.
People are getting fed up of it Batman. It shows in the attendances. Poor turnout today, but hardly surprising. About as unsurprising as the lack of action taken over the row.
Ballylinan favs to go down
Laois SFC Quarter-Final Draw
Ballyroan v Courtwood
O'Dempseys v Portlaoise
Graiguecullen v Emo
Portarlington v Stradbally
You'd imagine Port and Graigue are definitely going through to semi's and comfortably so. Ballyroan are better defensively than Courtwood and I think they'll take them. Portlaoise and O'Dempseys probably the toughest of the lot to call. I think the extra game will serve Portlaoise well and they might edge it.
Courtwood
Portlaoise
Graigue
Port
All predictions for me
Ballyroan
O'Dempseys
Graigue
Port
If Walsh is half fit for the Heath match Ballylinan will win .
When was the last time The Heath were relegated to Intermediate ?
Quote from: Spiritof86 on October 03, 2021, 10:55:21 PM
Ballyroan
O'Dempseys
Graigue
Port
If Walsh is half fit for the Heath match Ballylinan will win .
When was the last time The Heath were relegated to Intermediate ?
They won the intermediate in 1986, pretty sure they've been senior ever since.
Quote from: Smellyball on October 04, 2021, 04:33:47 AM
Quote from: Spiritof86 on October 03, 2021, 10:55:21 PM
Ballyroan
O'Dempseys
Graigue
Port
If Walsh is half fit for the Heath match Ballylinan will win .
When was the last time The Heath were relegated to Intermediate ?
They won the intermediate in 1986, pretty sure they've been senior ever since.
That was their second team. They've been senior a lot longer than that.
Quote from: Heshs Umpire on October 04, 2021, 08:03:11 AM
Quote from: Smellyball on October 04, 2021, 04:33:47 AM
Quote from: Spiritof86 on October 03, 2021, 10:55:21 PM
Ballyroan
O'Dempseys
Graigue
Port
If Walsh is half fit for the Heath match Ballylinan will win .
When was the last time The Heath were relegated to Intermediate ?
They won the intermediate in 1986, pretty sure they've been senior ever since.
That was their second team. They've been senior a lot longer than that.
That's correct alright . Last time they won intermediate before that was 1953 . Long time been senior if so .
Quote from: Silkyskillssunshinee on October 03, 2021, 10:24:00 PM
Laois SFC Quarter-Final Draw
Ballyroan v Courtwood
O'Dempseys v Portlaoise
Graiguecullen v Emo
Portarlington v Stradbally
You'd imagine Port and Graigue are definitely going through to semi's and comfortably so. Ballyroan are better defensively than Courtwood and I think they'll take them. Portlaoise and O'Dempseys probably the toughest of the lot to call. I think the extra game will serve Portlaoise well and they might edge it.
Courtwood, Emo, O'Dempseys and Port all kept apart in the draw. Be some craic in this neck of the woods if all 4 managed to reach the semi finals ;D
Most likely though that just Port will go through. I expect Portlaoise, Graigue and Ballyroan Abbey to win.
Have Ballylinan ever been relegated ?
The won Intermediate in 73 so before that some time .
Laois SFC Quarter-Final Draw
Ballyroan v Courtwood
O'Dempseys v Portlaoise
Graiguecullen v Emo
Portarlington v Stradbally
Saturday:
I like Stradbally but I just think Port have a little too much about them. They don't have many weaknesses and I think they can hurt Stradbally whether they play defensively or go for it.
Emo are at their best when they go for it. They'll probably have Paul Lawlor back this week but I think they'd be nearly better playing with more speed in their forward line. Keep Paul as an option off the bench.
Graigue can mix it nicely. I think I rate them more than most and I think they'll win this one.
Sunday:
These are the games I'm going to make.
I fancy Ballyroan to outscore Courtwood. Two good teams and both have a nice mix of players at both end of the pitch but I feel like Ballyroan have the edge in the full-forward line. Don't think Niall Donoher has been at his best this year but if he can get on a lot of ball and start pulling the strings then my prediction could be shattered. As it is, I think Ballyroan will just about have enough.
The longer Portlaoise stay in the championship the better they should get. Ballyfin let them off the hook and they weren't great against Joe's. I do rate O'Dempseys but I think they could be a little too open which might suit Portlaoise's runners from midfield. Reckon there's a big game in Kieran Lillis and he might be the difference.
Ballyroan, Portlaoise and Graiguecullen will all win by 5 or 6.
Unsure about Port V Stradbally, Port will presumably win but I'm torn whether it'll be a tight 2 point win or a 12 point hammering, depends if Stradbally can stay with them the first 40 min or so.
Graiguecullen v Emo
I think Graigue should win this one but it could be closer than last year's semi final. Emo might have a few extra players available to them from the Rosenallis game so wouldn't rule them out completely. But Graigue should still win by 3 or 4 points.
Portarlington v Stradbally
I think Port could win this one easily enough. Had a very good challenge game v St Vincents since beating Courtwood. Stradbally seem to be improving from a few very average years. Few nice young players coming through but I think this will be a bit early in their development.
Ballyroan Abbey v Courtwood
Hard to know with both of these teams how good or bad they are! A right game to avoid for betting purposes. BA should edge it I suppose but there could be a kick in Courtwood.
Portlaoise v O'Dempseys
Portlaoise seem to be gradually improving since their disastrous first game. O'Dempseys have two wins but really not sure how strong they are. Another hard one to call but I think O'D's might edge it.
portarlington..strad have been poor to date there might be a kick in them but ports defense i feel and forward movement makes them stand out favourites for the chanmpionship
graiguecullen.. againemo might raise there game but in this years champo graigue have been cruising graigue for me because of there backline
portlaoise ...portlaoise have gotten through if they handle hatch and barry they win i think they will
courtwood ...50/50 game im going to go for courtwood because there more expeirenced but a ballyroan win would not surprise me but ill go for the wood
Think Portlaoise will beat O'Dempseys who will miss Shane Nerney a lot. Graigue and Port to win handily and BA to beat Courtwood. The relegation final could be very tight. A lot will depend on who each team will have available from their injury lists. I'll go for Ballylinan.
Quote from: The PRO on October 14, 2021, 12:11:26 PM
Think Portlaoise will beat O'Dempseys who will miss Shane Nerney a lot. Graigue and Port to win handily and BA to beat Courtwood. The relegation final could be very tight. A lot will depend on who each team will have available from their injury lists. I'll go for Ballylinan.
I think Benny Carroll if he's missing will be big loss to Portlaoise. He would be Portlaoise main foward and with Bruno no longer playing it makes Benny an even bigger loss. Any word on David Seale or Brody .
Graigue and Port to win comfortably enough . I still think Portlaoise are there for taking especially if Benny Carroll is not starting . I fancy O'Dempseys to sneak it . Hearing good things from that camp .
Ballyroan and Courtwood is a fascinating encounter and in my opinion the closest of the weekend.
I remember saying perhaps Courtwood were maybe a little fortunate the last day out but there's something about them that can only be admired .
Ballyroan maybe just to sneak it but Courtwood could catch them .
Graiguecullen v Emo postponed due to a bereavement in the Emo area.. R. I. P
Hard to see anyone coming near portArlington there work rate hasn't been matched by any team yet
Portarlington are beatable if Portlaoise/Graiguecullen can play a bit more adventurously and move the ball a bit faster going forward. When Port get the lead, they know how to defend in numbers and are very well organised under Martin Murphy. Difficult to claw them back as Strad found out tonight.
I can't see anyone stopping Port, they're a good bit ahead of the rest of the pack in my opinion.
They beat Graigue by 11 points in the county final and had them at arms length throughout, where Graigue were too slow on both the attacking and defensive transition.
I would also argue that Graigue don't have enough scoring threats in the forward line to win a Championship, while the addition of Conor Kelly has definitely helped, it won't be enough especially with Ambrose (arguable Graigue's best forward for the last decade) not at full fitness.
Scott Roycroft, Jack Byrne, Jamie Murphy etc will all hopefully play senior football next year or the following year, all three have real quality and could be the key to bridging the gap in years to come.
O'Dempsey's probably should have beat Portlaoise today. Only a couple of points up at HT when they were dominating possession. In fairness to Portlaoise, they've showed serious heart in this championship and that's made up for their lack of quality so fa.
Ballyroan were full value for their win and could have had a few more goals in the first half if they were a bit more clinical. If they can avoid Port in the semi-final draw, there's absolutely no reason they can't reach the final.
I thought we were brutal,,,and o Dempseys were worse uncocahed slowci could go on ,,, babbey ere unreal heart determination bad good the C ~~~S could win a final lol
Portlaoise's subs made the difference and won them the game, Same the last day for O'Dempsey's their subs won them the game against Rosenallis When Rosenallis were the better team. Probably the best three teams in the championship so far in the semis and I would expect Graiguecullen to be too strong for Emo who will be without Pa Kirwin, as far as I know, he's gone in quarantine with the defence forces down in Cork.
Ballyroan Abbey to win it out for me.
Emo obviously had fire in their belly's last night.
They'll hardly have the same for Port though.
Don't rule it out. Local derby, players know each other well. Anything can happen.
I over-estimated Graigue and didn't give emo enough credit.
Fair play. They were a different team than I've seen all year.
For all the talk of reducing numbers in our championship...and I agree with the idea...the heath should have beaten emo and now one is intermediate (and could well end up there for a while) and the other is in a semi-final.
Robbo, your point shows how in reality little separates a lot of clubs in Laois. Emo went from county finalists to being relegated twelve months later not that many years ago. O'Dempseys, Ballyliaian, Killeshin have followed up making county finals with hugely disappointing seasons to follow.
Fair play to Emo . Did not see that coming . Saw Graigue a couple of times and thought they'd have too much for Emo who had serious fire in there belly and there tackling was ferocious.
If they manage to bring this to the table next day against Port they could rattle them . Local Derby etc Emo will relish this .
I expect Portarlington to have a bit to spare over Emo. I think Ballyroan vs Portlaoise will be 50/50 and could go either way . Anyone know where Adam Dunne from ballyroan is ? I haven't seen him this year since Laois u20 footballers lost to Wicklow
I haven't seen Conor Brennan, Liam Delaney , Ciaran Carroll , John Rogers or Adam Brennan either . They would of been key players for ballyroan in previous years
I can't help but feel despite Graigue making the 2020 county final, they were too slow to integrate younger players into the starting 15 over the last few years and now it's caught up with them.
Anyone who was in attendance last night would have noticed a lot of the old guard weren't starting, Birdy, Bobby Doyle, Chris Hurley, Ross Alcock etc but they all did for the county final.
Fast forward two months, you could tell a number of those players who started for Graigue last night were very raw and Emo exposed them. Only for very poor finishing in the first half, Emo could have been comfortably up at half time.
I think a rebuild is needed in Graigue now, which isn't a bad thing especially with a lot of talent coming through at minor level. Whilst their juniors didn't have a great year this year by all accounts, they've a number of good players who probably should be on the senior panel who aren't for whatever reason, so maybe this is a blessing in disguise.
I'd expect Portarlington and Portlaoise to make the final, The Town look they're peaking nicely despite being lucky to beat O'Dempseys.
Thank god we won't hear Shaq, Birdy, Dicey nicknames on the streaming service for the rest of the champ. Can't understand why nicknames are used
Quote from: Laoiseabu on October 20, 2021, 05:24:04 PM
I haven't seen Conor Brennan, Liam Delaney , Ciaran Carroll , John Rogers or Adam Brennan either . They would of been key players for ballyroan in previous years
Better players have come through to take their places and they are getting better performances and results.
Adam Dunne - Rugby with Cashel
Adam Brennan - not playing
Ciaran Carroll - Moved away to Cork has recently returned
John Rodgers - Rugby
Liam Delaney concentrated on Hurling
Conor Brennan has a rough time with injuries
We are lucky enough we have numbers to cope with it.
I'm obviously gonna back my own club at the weekend we have been poor but are still there we will be defensive hate it been honest.
Portlaoise v portArlington final and port to win it which one though 8) :)
Quote from: town1980 on October 25, 2021, 10:42:20 PM
I'm obviously gonna back my own club at the weekend we have been poor but are still there we will be defensive hate it been honest.
Portlaoise v portArlington final and port to win it which one though 8) :)
There's only one Port....
I am so ashamed that I'm only 17 out 18 for my predictions :-[
To save myself further embarrassment I'm not going to make any predictions for the semis. All I have to say is both finalists names will begin with P.
the pitch is gona be like a swamp dont be surprised if its called off if it stays raining its not the best at the minute
Portarlington will win and win very well.
Portlaoise vs Ballyroan will be very tight, cant see a whole lot between them.Maybe another dose of extra time .....
Conditions could be terrible for both games on Sunday. Who'd have foreseen that playing every senior championship game on the one pitch would have caused the pitch to tear up? ::)
Port v Emo. I didn't expect Emo to beat Graigue but it was fully deserved. I think Port will surely end their good run though.
Portlaoise v B Abbey. I think Ballyroan Abbey will edge it. Their young lads are a lot better than Portlaoise's.
Agree with PRO on this one. Park v Arles had one of the best atmospheres of a club game I was at this year. I think players would enjoy playing some of their championship matches in regional grounds such as Timahoe, Crettyard, Stradbally. Top venues deserving of senior championship matches.
Ballyroan Baby
We are now available for championship matches
Pro I can't see the town being beaten we haven't played great but we're the town we don't loose look at the records over the last 15 yr enough said portlaoise v portArlington final simple as no debates no shite talk town v town let the century folk dream ;D ;D ;D
Portlaoise to beat Ballyroan Abbey with extra-time necessary, maybe even a penalty shootout! Ballyroan Abbey will be in this position again soon but I fancy Portlaoise's experience to get them over the line.
Portarlington to beat Emo by 6. Won't be much in it at half-time, but Port have some good options off the bench while Emo are limited enough in that department.
Hard to see anything but a Portarlington win this afternoon.
Emo can't play defensively and win against this Port team. If they push up, they'll be picked apart I think.
Port by 7.
I've a sneaky feeling Ballyroan might edge the other semi. A part of me would like to see a Port-Portlaoise final and obviously you couldn't rule it out but I think Bally might just have the defensive nous and the runners to hurt Pottlaoise.
Quote from: Robbo on October 31, 2021, 12:41:06 PM
Hard to see anything but a Portarlington win this afternoon.
Emo can't play defensively and win against this Port team. If they push up, they'll be picked apart I think.
Port by 7.
I've a sneaky feeling Ballyroan might edge the other semi. A part of me would like to see a Port-Portlaoise final and obviously you couldn't rule it out but I think Bally might just have the defensive nous and the runners to hurt Pottlaoise.
I was very wrong.
Portlaoise very good.
As much as I enjoy watching a small rural team cause an upset, I also don't think it's such a bad thing for Laois football when two big Town areas are facing off in the Senior final. Portlaoise were very impressive today and moved the ball with a lot more pace and directness than any one of their previous games. Brody made a massive difference when he came on and surely has to start the final. They can cause the Port defence trouble in the final if they play like they did today.
Yeah think we have the final everyone wanted,plaois were much improved but ballyroan were very disappointing bar launching balls into Doyle which never worked they offered nothing.The second game was over once Crowley got injured ,emo already missing Kirwin didn't need that.while conditions didn't help ports shooting was very poor
Fair play Portlaoise they were savage, we were poor. Where Portlaoise stand I'm unsure maybe we made them look better than they are
Quote from: BallyroanAbu on November 01, 2021, 01:52:48 AM
Fair play Portlaoise they were savage, we were poor. Where Portlaoise stand I'm unsure maybe we made them look better than they are
I'd tend to agree.As good as Portlaoise were , Ballyroan were equally as bad.I literally couldn't believe Ballyroans tactics, they are much better than what they showed yesterday.
Portlaoise were good though, their movement was superb and Brody made a huge difference to the team. Its looks like Portlaoise have finally nailed down their starting 15 just in time for the final.
Port looked good yesterday, they were never in doubt and that match was perfect prep for the final.
Ballyroan Abbey were a huge let down. Good and all as Portlaoise appeared to play, the margin was mostly down to BA just never turning up. I think BA are better than that but that's not much good to them this morning.
in better conditions, I think Port would have destroyed Emo. It was a horrible game and Port will be just glad to get out of it without any injuries and a shot at the two titles in the one year.
Potential county players? Every time I see Mohan, he gets better and better for Port. Corner backs are hard to find so I think I'd be asking him in.
Quote from: The PRO on November 01, 2021, 12:31:12 PM
Ballyroan Abbey were a huge let down. Good and all as Portlaoise appeared to play, the margin was mostly down to BA just never turning up. I think BA are better than that but that's not much good to them this morning.
in better conditions, I think Port would have destroyed Emo. It was a horrible game and Port will be just glad to get out of it without any injuries and a shot at the two titles in the one year.
Potential county players? Every time I see Mohan, he gets better and better for Port. Corner backs are hard to find so I think I'd be asking him in.
Bennett in the other corner for Port is also a very sticky and tight marker. Think he might be U-20 again next year but probably worth a look for the Seniors as well.
Can see Brody featuring under Billy Sheehan if he has the interest . Will be a hugely interesting final .
Great win for us yesterday we bullied Ballyroanabbey right from the off and there young players just froze on the big day they offered little resistance and we got back on track with the help of Graham,we hit them hard and racked up early yellow cards but you could see it was part of the plan to stop them running and it worked,ballyroan have had a seriously good championship and there young players will benifit from that experience
town vs town of course i think Portlaoise will win
Is there any reason Broady hasn't been starting all year? Seems absolute madness given his display at the weekend. Him starting the final will have a huge bearing on who wins it.
Quote from: TheGiantSquid on November 01, 2021, 10:50:18 PM
Is there any reason Broady hasn't been starting all year? Seems absolute madness given his display at the weekend. Him starting the final will have a huge bearing on who wins it.
He was late back training this year, then when returned got a knock but in any case young O'Connell would not have been displaced this year had he stayed fit. He is a very good young keeper who learned a hell of a lot the hard way this year and I dont think its a given Brody starts the final.
No disrespect to anyone PK but it should be a no brainer. Brody is the best keeper in Laois imo. By a long way.
Quote from: High Fielder on November 02, 2021, 10:05:26 AM
No disrespect to anyone PK but it should be a no brainer. Brody is the best keeper in Laois imo. By a long way.
I agree he should start but I wouldn't bet on it if O'Connell is fit....
After the weekends viewing I would presume that Billy Sheehan would be looking at a good few Portlaoise and Portarlington players to make up the core of his panel but I've heard that some of the key Port players won't be committing to Laois next season . 90% of the other clubs in the senior championship really are not up to much at all . I thought Emo and Ballyroan were very very poor for two sides In a semi final .
Truth be told division 3 next year will probably see a lot of new blood ( unless we persist with Begley , Timmons , Dillon , Lillis , Ross, Oloughlin , Kingston, Walsh etc ) . A transition period awaits us very soon and it will unfortunately get worse before it gets better I think . No new players are really putting their hands up that already haven't been on the panel .
It's a tough one , do we persist with the same tried and trusted servants next year ? Or do we rebuild from scratch with youth and potentially end up in division 4 and go from there ?
Quote from: Laoiseabu on November 02, 2021, 03:11:24 PM
After the weekends viewing I would presume that Billy Sheehan would be looking at a good few Portlaoise and Portarlington players to make up the core of his panel but I've heard that some of the key Port players won't be committing to Laois next season . 90% of the other clubs in the senior championship really are not up to much at all . I thought Emo and Ballyroan were very very poor for two sides In a semi final .
Truth be told division 3 next year will probably see a lot of new blood ( unless we persist with Begley , Timmons , Dillon , Lillis , Ross, Oloughlin , Kingston, Walsh etc ) . A transition period awaits us very soon and it will unfortunately get worse before it gets better I think . No new players are really putting their hands up that already haven't been on the panel .
It's a tough one , do we persist with the same tried and trusted servants next year ? Or do we rebuild from scratch with youth and potentially end up in division 4 and go from there ?
It would be a huge setback for Laois football and Billy Sheehan if a lot of the Port lads aren't going to commit this year. I would have hoped that the previous county players for Port (Murphy, Pigott, O'Sullivan and Byrne) would go back in, as they are all starting calibre players at their age and part of the core of our future. Then hopefully added to them you'd have the likes of Coffey, Ryan, Mohan, two Bennett's and Foster on the panel as well...
If a county the size of Laois can't get their best players to commit, then we're really at nothing. Sorry if that comes across as defeatist but it's the cold hard truth.
if kevin wants a final to his name he goes with the best keeper who has the best influence on the pitch thats the ruthlesness of management ,,it will be graham in goals
In a way Sheehan is in a really good position. The expectation levels are so low just now. I doubt anyone expects us to do much more than survive in Division 3 and possibly win a game or two in Leinster/qualifiers.
I don't think he can afford to discard all the veterans. Timmons, Donie and Lillis are among the best in the senior championship still. JOL probably still has something to offer. Begley is still decent but can't see him being a starter anymore.
Port had 4 lads on last year's squad - Pigott, O'Sullivan, Byrne and Colm Murphy. They could easily have a few more if they are prepared to commit. Portlaoise had Dillon, Lillis and Carroll and again if the likes of Saunders and Larkin were called up, it wouldn't be a surprise. Brody would be a huge addition if he was prepared to knuckle down.
From Emo and Ballyroan Abbey, I liked the look of Diarmuid Whelan, Scully and maybe Carroll, Owens, Hosey and Greene.
BA must be gutted. They just never got out of the blocks. Portlaoise have fairly turned around their year from losing the opening round to Courtwood! There's really nothing to say about the other game. Terrible conditions and Port were miles better but Emo keeper kept the game alive for a lot longer than it might have been.
Whoever shows up, go with younger players, even if that means dropping to Division 4. We have to start building, even if the foundations aren't great. I'd like to think whatever we put on the pitch should be competitive in Division 4. If that's not the case we really are fucked, and I have prepared myself for that possibility
Unfortunately for O Connell, it may not be the fairest decision but Portlaoise have to start with Brody. When he puts his mind to it his one of the best keepers in the Country. I heard him at the Water Break it's just different level, O Connell would be thereabouts with every other team in the County. It's just Brody is that good.
I see Leinster council playing club semis in Croke park..some game changer for the teams to be playing there away from the normal muck and sh1ite at that time of year....
Quote from: portlaoisekid on November 05, 2021, 11:53:21 AM
I see Leinster council playing club semis in Croke park..some game changer for the teams to be playing there away from the normal muck and sh1ite at that time of year....
That's a great incentive. Port or Portlaoise will be at home to Garrycastle or Lomans with the winner of that getting to play in Croker.
after a physical battle im going for Portlaoise to win on sunday and ballyraon abbey to win the junior easily
Quote from: Heshs Umpire on November 05, 2021, 03:49:24 PM
Quote from: portlaoisekid on November 05, 2021, 11:53:21 AM
I see Leinster council playing club semis in Croke park..some game changer for the teams to be playing there away from the normal muck and sh1ite at that time of year....
That's a great incentive. Port or Portlaoise will be at home to Garrycastle or Lomans with the winner of that getting to play in Croker.
A game in Croker against more than likely Kilmacud Crokes . It could be a long 60mins for whoever gets there
Quote from: Laoiseabu on November 10, 2021, 01:51:11 PM
Quote from: Heshs Umpire on November 05, 2021, 03:49:24 PM
Quote from: portlaoisekid on November 05, 2021, 11:53:21 AM
I see Leinster council playing club semis in Croke park..some game changer for the teams to be playing there away from the normal muck and sh1ite at that time of year....
That's a great incentive. Port or Portlaoise will be at home to Garrycastle or Lomans with the winner of that getting to play in Croker.
A game in Croker against more than likely Kilmacud Crokes . It could be a long 60mins for whoever gets there
Portarlington to beat Portlaoise by 2 on Sunday. I'd say it will be a low scoring game considering the time of year and the condition OMP is in, as well as the fact that both teams are strong defensively. Portlaoise will probably need someone like Larkin or Cahillane to score 1-2 in that full forward line if they are to win, but I think the Port backs are good enough to win their battles.
This is the game that will go along way to determining if Larkin is worthy of a place on the intercounty team. If he can produce the goods in the final against a very strong Port full-back line then he must surely come into the reckoning. He has been a positive for Portlaoise this year and helped filled the hole left with Bruno's retirement from senior club football. Dillon at centre forward for Laois is an interesting prospect. Again, interested to see how he fares at the weekend, especially if man marked by a physically strong opponent like Piggott. For Port, Murphy at corner forward is probably their stand out forward of intercounty standard. His battle with potentially Gary Saunders will be an interest sub-plot in itself. Saunders has had an excellent year and very capable of stepping up to play intercounty next year as well. If the weather can stay dry and the pitch holds up, it should be a good advertisement for Laois football.
Anyone know what players from Portarlington have excluded themselves from committing to Laois next year? And, overall, how is Billy Sheehan progressing with creating a panel for 2022?
First get together tomorrow Saturday morning. No idea on who's been called up.
he has had one to one meetings with the players and seemingly told them how bad they all are which can be either good or bad time will tell hopefully good
Think the final will be close.
And I think Portarlington's full-back line might be key.
I can't see where any Portlaoise individual hits a massive score despite them having created a lot of chances in recent games.
I wouldn't be surprised if Portlaoise actually dominate the ball and win the kickout/midfield battle, especially if Broady plays...yet still not get the scores to see them through.
Port by 2; 0.12-1.7.
Strongly fancy Ballyroan in the junior final.
They have loads of pace and power. They'll run all-day and I think it'd do their senor team to have their second team playing a grade higher. They had a strong league and have lost a few to the senior but not as many as I thought they would even.
Quote from: Robbo on November 12, 2021, 11:42:49 AM
Strongly fancy Ballyroan in the junior final.
They have loads of pace and power. They'll run all-day and I think it'd do their senor team to have their second team playing a grade higher. They had a strong league and have lost a few to the senior but not as many as I thought they would even.
I think you may be right. I'd love to see Barrowhouse pull it off after the way they've been treated with transfers over the years. But I think BA have a lot of fine young players and they know how to win finals from their underage days.
Port are some outfit both individually and collectively and of course have a cracking manager to boot. They are justifiable favorites for Sunday and looking at it in the cold light of day they should win well. If Portlaoise play like they did in each round before the semi it will be certainly be over by the water break.
Hard to know where Portlaoise are at but certainly we know where Port are at, you dont win finals with uncertainty around performances. Portlaoise have done a super job to reach the final after the first round defeat to Courtwood and it will bring the younger lads on no end for the next few years.
Head ruling heart, Port 2.10 Portlaoise 0.08
Looking forward to attending my first senior final in a while, since Stradbally stung the town (to my delight)
But i have to admit this will be my first time supporting Portlaoise in a county final!! Before I receive stick, I'll give you my reasoning.
I think if Port win this one, they could go on and dominate for few years as Portlaoise have done in the past. But I think if PL were to win, it might give the teams around Laois more confidence that they can actually lift the cup themselves.
Going by recent results - Emo & Courtwood have toppled the town. Joes and O'Dempseys had their chances too. And by all accounts Ballyroan Abbey are a coming team too that let the occasion get to them. All these teams will definitely fancy another crack at the town!
While on the flip side, Port have gotten to another Final, without really getting near their top-gear and without having to! Again I find this similar to the PL teams of the past. Only needing to perform when they had a final or a leinster campaign on their doorstep. Because of this I fancy Port to edge it, where their backs are able to hold the town's forwards better than the other way around.
PL 0-7 Port 0-10
Will try catch the junior final, not knowing much about either team. I think Barrowhouse "doggedness" in wintery conditions might be the deciding factor, due to the younger Ballyroan team.
Good to see strong names such as Whelan, Dunne and Mcweys for Ballyroan and Brennan and Langton for Barrowhouse still popping up on their teams.
B'house 1-13 Ballyroan 0-12
On a side note, why was the minor finals not played before the senior? No such thing as a minor playing senior anymore since the rule change!
Quote from: portlaoisekid on November 12, 2021, 03:22:51 PM
Port are some outfit both individually and collectively and of course have a cracking manager to boot. They are justifiable favorites for Sunday and looking at it in the cold light of day they should win well. If Portlaoise play like they did in each round before the semi it will be certainly be over by the water break.
Hard to know where Portlaoise are at but certainly we know where Port are at, you dont win finals with uncertainty around performances. Portlaoise have done a super job to reach the final after the first round defeat to Courtwood and it will bring the younger lads on no end for the next few years.
Head ruling heart, Port 2.10 Portlaoise 0.08
It's like reading that article on Laois Today where they looked back on the 1991 final and carried an interview with Mick Lillis in the buildup. It was Port's to lose then as well! Beware the talented "underdog"!
reasoning.
I think if Port win this one, they could go on and dominate for few years as Portlaoise have done in the past. But I think if PL were to win, it might give the teams around Laois more confidence that they can actually lift the cup themselves.
Going by recent results - Emo & Courtwood have toppled the town. Joes and O'Dempseys had their chances too. And by all accounts Ballyroan Abbey are a coming team too that let the occasion get to them. All these teams will definitely fancy another crack at the town!
That makes zero sense to me.
Teams would gain confidence by seeing the all conquering portlaoise back to business as usual, rather than a Port win possibly signalling the end of the most dominant run in championship history...
I'll go for Port to win by 3 or 4
Portlaoise to win, I was so impressed by their first half against us. Unreal stuff
Quote from: BallyroanAbu on November 13, 2021, 06:35:04 PM
Portlaoise to win, I was so impressed by their first half against us. Unreal stuff
Portlaoise had their arses handed to them today.
Portarlington far superior and will reign supreme for a few years. Will easily do 3 in a row. I'd say it's the end of that current Portlaoise team for a while. While they never got going and wasteful up front, they never looked like winning. Portarlington had the luxury of missing a penalty as well. Game was over after about 20 minutes. Disappointing spectacle for a neutral but fair play to Portarlington; bossed it from start to finish. Colm Murphy and Paddy O Sullivan standouts for me today.
A possible dark horse for Leinster.
The junior went to the wire in normal time. Ballyroan had too much in extra time. Missed a ball of chances and should have been home and hosed in normal time. Questionable for referee to signal 1 minute extra time and finished on just 63 minutes giving ballyroan a chance to equalise. They'll be strong enough to stay intermediate next year too!
Fair play to Portarlington, they were awesome today. Their movement up front was top class and they moved the ball so quickly. Murphy and Foster are two dangerous inside forwards, with Coffey and Ryan providing plenty of energy behind them.
I thought Portlaoise's midfield of Lillis and McEvoy would be their strongest area of the field and give them a platform to build from but Port won that battle as well with Byrne very good again.. Portarlington's six backs and goalkeeper were all very solid, as they have been throughout this championship.
They say Portlaoise are in transition but I'd say it could waiting a while before they win a Senior champ. Portarlington are well in front of them as seen today, while the likes of Ballyroan, Joseph's and Graiguecullen have more underage talent coming through than them.
Port could be a bit of a dark horse for Leinster now but it's a very difficult competition to win, as proven by how some of the great Portlaoise teams came up short on numerous occasion.
Congratulations to Portarlington. Although I would love to see them do well in Leinster, I'm not sure they have the quality to do so. Clearly, there is no one to match them in Laois, but competing against the best from other counties is a different story. Let's see how they get on against the Westmeath champions for a start. Hopefully, they can get the better of them, but it won't be easy.
Serious achievement to pull that performance out of the bag in a final. Fair play
That result today was a decade in the making. Portlaoise's decline as a force at underage level since the move to Rathleague has been absolutely terrifying and nobody in the county even seems to bat an eyelid at it. Portlaoise will always be up there or thereabouts at the business end of the championship given the population of the town but my god I hope today serves as a wake-up call that things need to change or the rot will just sink in deeper.
Fair play to Portarlington. The level of talent in their ranks is insane by Laois standards. The fact that they can leave fine young players like Colin Slevin and Jordan Fitzpatrick, who would otherwise walk into every other team in the county, on the bench is a real testament to the way the club is running right now. They won't be beaten in Laois for a while.
Portarlington really enjoyed that. I know that they really wanted to beat Portlaoise in a final to rubber stamp their supremacy in the county. Not much more to be said - they were excellent all over the field. I don't know who got MOTM but Cathal Bennett and Paddy O'Sullivan must have been close. Hope they do well in Leinster.
Portlaoise were terrible. I honestly think they are far from the second best team in the county. I would rate Ballyfin (I know Portlaoise beat them), Emo and maybe Graigue as better than Portlaoise. Ballyroan Abbey must be wondering how they took such a hiding in the semi final.
I didn't enjoy any bit of our performance I have COVID I couldn't go so I had it on the TVs and had midlands radio on and the commentary was great but for portArlington both commentators had a h___n for port but rightly so ,, Kevin may go portlaoise need an outside man gone are the days of inside men it's not easy anymore joes ballyroan they will all come the worst defeat in years simple as
Congrats to Port very good performance. Defence is the bedrock of any team and they have a brilliant system in place. Perhaps instead of investing in football coaches, Portlaoise should invest in a coach of a different kind and send it up to all the estates around the town to transport kids up to training as it seems that since the move out of town happened numbers at underage have dropped off a good bit. People who are not typical GAA families might not bother or have the means to get to rath league but if transport is provided they might go out. With regard to other coaching my feeling is to get them out first and sort the coaching then. But this is ports day and they should celebrate it as if they'll never win another
Quote from: Countyminor on November 14, 2021, 10:11:28 PM
That result today was a decade in the making. Portlaoise's decline as a force at underage level since the move to Rathleague has been absolutely terrifying and nobody in the county even seems to bat an eyelid at it. Portlaoise will always be up there or thereabouts at the business end of the championship given the population of the town but my god I hope today serves as a wake-up call that things need to change or the rot will just sink in deeper.
Fair play to Portarlington. The level of talent in their ranks is insane by Laois standards. The fact that they can leave fine young players like Colin Slevin and Jordan Fitzpatrick, who would otherwise walk into every other team in the county, on the bench is a real testament to the way the club is running right now. They won't be beaten in Laois for a while.
No minor A since 2012
I did a bit of digging and its frightening the decline at juvenile
i posted it up over on the the future of football thread
I don't think any team in leinster will fancy playing Port. They have an excellent full-back line and can get bodies to put protection in front. Then crucially they can get the ball forward at pace and have the forwards to hurt teams. There are so well balanced and their conditioning is streets ahead of anyone else in laois. Some teams can match them legs, some for size; nobody for both. And i dont see that changing in the next couple of years either.
Hard to know what to make of Portlaoise. Best of the rest but a long way from where they were even 5 years ago. Dont think they have many reinforcements coming through either.
Well done Port. That was a really impressive display. Hopefully, there's a decent run Leinster to follow. Can see three in a row being achieved relatively easily and no reason that a few more titles can't be added. Only Squirty to be replaced in the short term and he's still in great nick. Also, I'm praying that we'll see a good few of these lads in with Laois next year. We need to add some good young lads to the squad and these chaps are the pick of the bunch.
Hard luck to Portlaoise. I think if they had brought their semi final game to the table, it could have been more of a contest. But Cahillane going off was a disaster. They lacked his ability to finish moves with scores. Boyle, Dillon and Carroll aren't natural finishers and young Larkin and McEvoy simply didn't turn up.
Not that Port would have been beaten. It just might have kept it closer for a bit longer.
On a sour note, I was sitting between a group of Portlaoise and Portarlington supporters and I know every club has its "asshole" followers but some of the abuse one particular Port guy was dishing out to the Town crowd was just way over the top. And to make it worse, one of Laois's best ever footballers (and an out and out gentleman) turned around to remonstrate politely enough only to be met with a tirade of abuse from some clown who probably didn't even recognize him. Whoever he was, he could learn a lot from the gracious people like Martin Murphy, Brendan McCann and Eamonn Murphy to name just three who know how to win (and lose) with a bit of manners.
Rant over. Sorry!
All I can say is congratulations to Port, I thought before the game the had way too much for us and unfortunately that was borne out in empathetic fashion.
Port surely have to focus on Leinster now, its has to be their aim.
Portlaoise are in a bad place and the last two years have been an unmitigated disaster. It'll take a long time to rectify the current situation.
I'm Hearing that Paddy OSullivan may be the only Port lad committing to Laois next year. I've heard Robbie Pigott , Sean Byrne and Colm Murphy won't be commiting .
You would have to feel for Billy Sheehan if this is true as he will probably have to go with players from other clubs who aren't as good .
It really is a sign of the times in Laois . We will do well to stay in division 3 at this rate .
Quote from: Laoiseabu on November 16, 2021, 01:25:28 PM
I'm Hearing that Paddy OSullivan may be the only Port lad committing to Laois next year. I've heard Robbie Pigott , Sean Byrne and Colm Murphy won't be commiting .
You would have to feel for Billy Sheehan if this is true as he will probably have to go with players from other clubs who aren't as good .
It really is a sign of the times in Laois . We will do well to stay in division 3 at this rate .
That's a disaster if true. 3 almost definite starters not available. Sheehan will be doing very well to keep Laois in Division 3 next year.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-40745211.html
This article would give me some encouragement that couple more of the Port lads will go in with Laois. If you can get a spine of that team in with Laois it will help Billy considerably build a team that can survive in division 3 next year.
Any stats men here. Back to back titles in both hurling and football. When was the last time that happened?
Quote from: redsetanta on November 23, 2021, 03:09:16 PM
Any stats men here. Back to back titles in both hurling and football. When was the last time that happened?
2017-2018 ? Camross and Portlaoise off top of my head?
Port favourites for the match on Sunday with the bookies
Huge opportunity to get to Croker.
Stopping Heslin is crucial but they've an excellent midfield in McCartan and O'Toole who are experienced county players.
Shane Dempsey had a great final and is another with county experience. Right men man-marking will be a challenge but Port have plenty of choices to be fair.
Think the conditions might suit Port as they're great at playing deep and defensive. They move forward then at pace and have great options.
Hope rheres a good turnout. Nice to see a big support as we have new champions representing us.
Did actual suspensions occur or happen following the Killeshin/Kileen incident last year ?
Laois S.C.Senior SFC draw
Arles Killeen v Portarlington
Portlaoise v Emo
O Dempseys v Killeshin
Rosenallis v BallyRoan Abbey
Stradbally v Ballyfin
Park Ratheniska v Courtwood
Graigcullen v Clonaslee St Manmans
St Joseph's v Ballylinan
Arles Killeen v Portarlington - Port at a canter
Portlaoise v Emo - Emo to win again
O Dempseys v Killeshin - O'Dempseys easily see off Killeshin Challenge
Rosenallis v BallyRoan Abbey - BA to be way too strong for Rosenallis
Stradbally v Ballyfin - Ballyfin to win this one
Park Ratheniska v Courtwood - I'll go for Park to cause a 1st round shock
Graigcullen v Clonaslee St Manmans - Graiguecullen to easily see off Clonaslee challenge
St Joseph's v Ballylinan - Josephs win
This is the 2021 championship thread, do you mind if I start up a new thread for the 2022 championship..