Laois SHC 2024

[Galtee1]

New thread before the senior hurling championship. Any thoughts ahead of it?
No relegation takes the sting out of it a bit.

Laois SHC Group A
Abbeyleix
Clough-Ballacolla
Rosenallis
The Harps

Laois SHC Group B
Camross
Rathdowney-Errill
Castletown
Portlaoise

[ottoman]

New thread before the senior hurling championship. Any thoughts ahead of it?
No relegation takes the sting out of it a bit.

Laois SHC Group A
Abbeyleix
Clough-Ballacolla
Rosenallis
The Harps

Laois SHC Group B
Camross
Rathdowney-Errill
Castletown
Portlaoise

Hopefully Abbeyleix can kick on another gear after last years final. Although its hard to see a winner outside of either CB or Camross, still the 2 strongest teams in my opinion.

[burdizzo]

I know it's been talked about already, but still can't see the sense of expanding it to 10 teams.

[Galtee1]

Are the Harps coming close to pushing on at senior level with their underage successes the last few years?

[Laois man]

A lot of team hit hard with lads heading to Australia Ctown have 4 or 5 gone I hear.

[georgedoylesrightleg]

no relgation, course theyll head off

[Laois man]

Lads wil go relagation onr not.

[Laois Abu]

I see Rathdowney are the favourites to win the Laois championship this year. Could have a big chance in Leinster also if they can win Laois

[Laois man]

Rathdowney /Errill very poor underage at the moment something they were always strong in. Camross Cbolla have to be favourites to win it.

[Voice of tReason]

I think we'll see a very competitive championship. 8 teams is a perfect number and I don't see an obvious standout favourite for champions or relegation...not that there will be one, disappointingly.

I could see Rosenallis and Clough/Ballacolla struggling early this year. I don't think it's a coincidence they have both struggled in the league.
They have a lot of players to bring back in from the county set-up and their second teams wouldn't be as strong as others. The atmosphere in the Laois camp wasn't amazing all year and players like Hartnett, Lennon, Maher, Dunphy and Conway have had injury concerns which could again rear their head once training standards change when reverting to the club. That's a lot to manage over the next 5 weeks, especially when players will want breaks and or holidays.
With 3 teams advancing, CB, in particular, could well re-group and come with a late surge but I wouldn't be surprised to see them meet in a 3rd round winner-takes-all game.
Abbeyleix and The Harps are doing everything right. Their second teams are flying it and their underage credentials are sound. I've a gut-feeling that The Harps will be real contenders this year. Their county players with the possible exception of P Dunne will all have had really strong years with Laois. They have strength in depth, an excellent keeper, underrated defenders and a seriously potent inside forward line. I think they'll top the group.

Camross have to be championship favourites. Lost nobody from last year and will add in A Mortimer, a Laois panelist. They've a top-class manager, loads of strength in depth and they know what it takes to get over the line. Keyes and T Cuddy will be a year older and I could see big years in Eoghan and James Cuddy with Oisin Bennett like a new player this year having finished last year strongly.
Rathdowney/Errill are always there or thereabouts and it feels like they'll need one big kick to get their older brigade up the steps one more time. Joe Fitz has sorted a problem-position at full-back and their spine from him, Fonzy, Jack Kelly, Purcell, King and Killeen is exceptional. Add in county-standard players like Ryan, Carroll and McGinley and they're still a formidable force. Hopefully Mark Kavanagh is available come the summer.
Portlaoise will be interesting under an excellent coach and look like a team made for O'Moore Park. They'll hurl well in space and I think they'll be competitive throughout. A Bergin staying fit will be crucial.
Castletown won't benefit from hurling Div2 league but I don't think it'll hurt them too much either. They'll target beating Portlaoise and having a right cut off RE and Camross. They'll fear nobody on the other side of the draw and with a settled management and no major absences from last year, I think they'll come under the radar and claim a scalp.

As has happened umpteen times before, when the dust settles in October, I wouldn't be surprised to see Camross going back-to-back.

[Galtee1]

The Harps and Borris Kilcotton in the league final. A repeat of last years relegation final.
Did anyone on here get to these games? Who impressed or any notable absentees?

[Ogie]

Final Sunday I believe

Camross missing Mossy Keyes, Eoin Gaughan, Mark Dowling
Borris Kilcotton missing Aaron Dunphy Stephen Dunphy, Neil Foyle,
The Harps missing Podge Delaney
Rathdowney Errill missing Roddy & Joe Fitz
Just from match reports seems James Duggan, Pj Scully the main men for the winners , Ciaran Coller, Paddy Purcellfor the losers

[Laois man]

Castletown have Mullaney and Conor Phelan gone travelling massive lost to them plus I here they have a lot of injuries so coumd struggle a big. Plaois will target them big time.

[Laois man]

Castletown have Mullaney and Conor Phelan gone travelling massive lost to them I also here they have a lot of injuries at the moment. Plaois will target this game big time. Plus they got a few nice transfers this last few years.

[Galtee1]

Laois SHC Round 1

Group A
Ballacolla vs Abbeyleix
Prediction - Ballacolla

Harps vs Rosenallis
Prediction - Harps

Group B
Rathdowney vs Camross
Prediction - Tough to call with players travelling for both sides. Camross to shade it.

Castletown vs Portlaoise
Prediction - Portlaoise