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Messages - merman

#31
Laois / Re: Laois Club SHC 2020
September 13, 2020, 09:39:47 AM
Is there a reason Killian Whelan doesn't commentate on the hurling? I know he's a football man but having him commentate and supplement him with a couple of revently retired hurlers would make a world of difference.

Anyway, it's still a great service.

My apologies again to Rosenallis. I've fallen into the trap of underestimating them again.
They were excellent yesterday. They work so hard; they're so athletic but such compliments may actually detract from their technical ability. They may lack a little punch up front but they  make up for it with incredible technique in the tackle and massive composure on the ball. When BK reverted to a sweeper in the first half, John Maher was immense and his distribution just excellent. They have the option of going long and straight to O' Loughlin, Fitzpatrick or Keating but can also carry the ball through the lines so it makes them a difficult team to play against. If they go long, they're a nightmare because a few times, BK won possessuon cleanly but were turned over for scores. Their tackling is relentless but crucially, they don't concede needless fouls. It's an underappreciated skill.
And next year, they really will bring in a top-class forward who could help elevate them further. These are the real deal and I'd give them a chance the next day.

For BK, it was a poor performance from a team who couldn't get going at all. In reality, it matters little in terms of the overall plan as a semi-final against RE or CB both bring varied challenges and opportunities. I like most of their forwards individually but something wasn't right yesterday and I think they're carrying a forward who just isn't up to it. That happens with a lot of club teams but they have alternatives and I think we'll see a reshuffle for the next day.

They're still in this championship but I think they'll go in as underdogs the next day. Maybe they'll like that. I still believe there's something in them and we might see it in two weeks.

Didn't watch the first game but it went as many predicted. I thought there'd be more in Castletown but it was always going to be a struggle. CB, on paper, look to have a nice blend and they'll be very confident in a semi-final. I suspect they'll end up facing Rosenallis which would be a story in itself as their second team lost a Junior A final to Rosenallis a few years ago.
#32
Laois / Re: Laois Club SHC 2020
September 12, 2020, 09:57:28 AM
Agree with all that Ogie.

I suspect Castletown will be more competitive under internal management and might make things awkward for a Clough/Ballacolla side who can be poor if not fully engaged.
Can't see anything other than a CB win but I don't think they'll even threaten RE's score difference superiority.
CB by 10.

Rosenallis are a breath of fresh air and I was delighted for them. They are only going to get stronger with a couple of really fine prospects at juvenile grade too. They exploited a Camross team who looked slow and a long way short of their physical best. BK are anything but slow. They have pace and power in crucial areas and I just can't see them being denied a third win from three.
BK by 7. The team to beat.

RE will beat Abbeyleix. Abbeyleix might be competitive but I don't think they are anywhere near the top teams. I thought they looked a little rudderless against CB the last time and a more ruthless team would have really hammered them.
RE will know that a win will see them into a semi-final against Rosenallis and will be guarded in knowing a loss will likely see them knocked-out.
I could be mad but I reckon RE will have this one over early.
RE by 18.

I do think Camross will beat Ballinakill. Mightn't be a classic but could be the closest game of the weekend. Ballinakill have brought through a couple of decent young players but they are still too reliant on too few.
I reckon Camross will be happy enough that their annus horribilis will be over this weekend.
Camross by 5.

#33
Laois / Re: GAA and COVID-19: Is it worth it?
September 03, 2020, 07:24:57 AM
Quote from: burdizzo on September 02, 2020, 10:30:28 PM
I'm actually told the GAA has just said there'll be no schools' matches until after Christmas, at least.

Which likely means February/March at the earliest.

Sensible decision but I'd be hopeful that we might have some inter-school competition then.
#34
Laois / Re: Laois Club SHC 2020
August 30, 2020, 08:14:29 PM
Quote from: Keyser Söze on August 30, 2020, 08:08:31 PM
I always thought you could concede once without being relegated. Twice and you were gone.
Eitherways I don't think a Senior club can entertain conceding to avoid a bad beating. If that's the road you are going down you'd be better off conceding the relegation final too.

Absolutely. Stupid of me for mentioning it.

I think the difference between this win for Rosenallis and Abbeyleix a few years ago is that Rosenallis appear to be backing this up with some fine underage prospects. They're already a pretty young team and have arguably the best minor hurler in the county coming through for next year.
#35
Laois / Re: Laois Club SHC 2020
August 30, 2020, 06:48:01 PM
Is that a new rule?
Can't say I've ever heard it before.


#36
Laois / Re: Laois Club SHC 2020
August 30, 2020, 06:25:41 PM
Wow. My apologies to the good people of Rosenallis. Stunning performance and a thoroughly deserved win. So well-coached and they're only getting started at this level. This could well be a watershed moment rather than a once-off.
They'll trouble RE in the semi-final too.

Castletown would be mad to play that CB game. Concede now and focus on Ballinakill. Even a win does nothing for them.

#37
Laois / Re: Laois Club SHC 2020
August 29, 2020, 10:44:22 PM
I really didn't think the gap was that large. It looks a chasm now with little change likely anytime soon.

Clough/Ballacolla have had two pretty-good performances but they've been wasteful at times and are prone to huge lapses in concentration. They're contenders but there are question marks for me. If they can find a way to win a championship; it might be their best yet.

Borris/Kilcotton had the game over within 5 mins. They looked fitter and stronger than 4 weeks ago. I've a feeling they are the best-conditioned team this year and they have 4 weeks now to fine-tune for a semi-final. They don't need to do any heavy training so injuries shouldn't be an issue.
I think they're the team to beat right now. They'll be hoping to avoid RE in a semi-final I reckon.

Don't see any surprises tomorrow. RE could put any score they want on Castletown. Rosenallis might be physically able to stick with Camross for a while but two 10+ deficits are very likely.
#38
Laois / Re: Laois Senior Football Championship 2020
August 06, 2020, 06:48:31 PM
Said I'd show how little I know about football.... :o

Portlaoise v Ballylinan - Portlaoise
Courtwood v O'Dempsey's - O' Dempseys
Rosenallis v Ballyfin - Draw (Ballyfin in the replay)
Stradbally v Portarlington - Portarlington
Arles-Killeen v Graiguecullen - Killeen
The Heath v Arles-Kilcruise - Draw (Kilcruise in the replay)
Killeshin v Emo - Killeshin
Ballyroan-Abbey v St Joseph's - St Joseph's
#39
Laois / Re: Laois Club SHC 2020
August 01, 2020, 11:04:22 AM
Good synopsis Keyser.
I wouldn't bet against you being right.

Just to mention the streaming again, it's a really great service. There were a couple of little glitches at times but that could well be my broadband. I thought the commentators were good again.

RE will be slightly happier with the draw last night as they were nowhere near their best. They were reliant on frees but a lot of them were hard-earned and followed good play. They'll be content enough with their performance at the back, especially with Eric Killeen to come back in. A couple of other niggely injuries to Kelly and Kavanagh will clear up in time and they'll feel they're in a strong position now.

The stop-start nature of the game was frustrating but I think those types of games tend to suit CB. They will probably feel aggrieved at some of the decisions but I can't think of too many the ref got blatantly wrong to be honest. He's consistently inconsistent which frustrates teams.
They probably played the better hurling for most of the game but ill-discipline and profligacy in front of goal remain issues. It is easy to see how Picky Maher and Lee Cleere's absences really blunted them in the semi-final last year.
Interesting change in goals too; encouraging debut for Cathal Dunne who is highly-regarded.

I thought when RE went ahead that the game might slip away; that has been the issue with CB a lot over the last few years. But to their credit, they rallied well and dominated the closing period. If they can maintain that level of consistency and tidy-up a few areas, they'll be a threat this year.

I'd be shocked if either team stumbled against Castletown or Abbeyleix. They both look strong in a lot of areas and both should improve as the championship progresses.

Looking at potential county players, I thought Diarmuid Conway was outstanding marking Ross King. He might still be a bit light but he looks a really fine prospect.
#40
Laois / Re: Laois Club SHC 2020
July 31, 2020, 10:38:19 AM
Enjoyed the streaming last night.
Well done to all involved; I'm not sure how financially viable the service will be in the long-term but I really appreciated getting to watch a championship match after such a difficult and uncertain few months.

Decent performance from two good teams I felt. Neither hit anywhere near their best form but that's to be expected.

Keyser mentioned in another thread that this condensed year might suit Camross and CB....I actually think the opposite. I think both RE and BK have quite settled teams whereas Camross and CB have had to blood a raft of young players over the last couple of years. BK are arguably the most-settled team with only the addition of Enda Parlon to the full-back line and Emmet Jones standing in for PJ Scully.
I hope Matthew Whelan's injury isn't too serious because he'd be a monumental loss to a team that I think might be the one to beat.

I'd strongly fancy RE tonight. Back between 06-14, they were incredible at timing their form to have their strongest players peaking at the right time. I expect the same this year and I think they'll have too much steel at the back and firepower up front for a CB side who may need a bit of time to click into gear.

I think Ballinakill will have too much nous for Rosenallis tomorrow but I think both will hold their own at senior level.

Castletown and Abbeyleix is a very tough game to call. I've gone back and forth on this a few times but I have a feeling Abbeyleix might just pull off a little bit of a shock.
#41
Quote from: Ogie on July 27, 2020, 11:38:45 AM
Is there any news on Laois Gaa streaming's the Club Senior games this weekend??


I think there is a meeting tonight to hopefully confirm everything.
#42
I actually disagree on all 4 predictions Ogie. Definitely a first.
#43
Laois / Re: The future of laois hurling
May 12, 2020, 06:10:13 PM
I must be living under the same rock as Ogie because I also expect games come the autumn.
The rate in the increase of cases is under 1% and falling; if this continues then it is absolutely feasible that we could have contact sport in 3 months time.

Of course, maybe we wont but the rush from some people to draw a line through the year and rule everything out is tiresome.

Is it such a bad thing to maintain the hope that we'll have an autumn of hurling and football?
Is it such a bad thing that young lads can continue to train and exercise in the hope that they'll get to be part of a team environment down the line?

I'd imagine most club players are still doing some running and maybe conditioning work if they can. There will be an ebb and flow; some weeks there'll be savage motivation, other weeks it'll wane.

The priority for us all is to stay healthy....and that includes mentally.
I'm perfectly happy to keep in the back of my mind that we could have a condensed club season in the autumn. I'd imagine plenty are thinking similarly.

And if it turns out we don't; so be it.
#44
Laois / Re: Official Laois County Board Website
March 14, 2020, 09:15:16 AM
Quote from: Batman!!! on March 13, 2020, 07:48:20 PM
Only for GAA, Laois Today would be toast and non existent. They should listen before talking. Miller and Hartnett more football in the stones on the ground.
They throw in a blonde every so often!

I think that blonde comment is unfair.

The 'blonde' you are referring to was unequivocally their most-passionate voice for hurling. She has left the position and they are worse off without her.

I'm not a fan of the podcast at all and haven't listened to it much. I find it a bit self-indulgent to be honest. I can't imagine  it lasting.
In general, the website does provide a good service, albeit one that prioritises quantity over quality.

As for the Laois GAA website, there are definite improvements. With a new PRO and Administrator now in-situ, hopefully we'll see further developments.
#45
Laois / Re: New Managers 2020
March 05, 2020, 07:52:40 AM
Quote from: Ogie on March 04, 2020, 03:28:15 PM
Who is with Jimmy Walsh in Ballinakill Merman? I know BK have an S&C in as well not sure of his name,
Clough Ballacolla also have an S&C guy on board

Eamon Jackman and Seamus Dwyer are assisting Walsh, as far as I know anyway.

I think Camross have an excellent team too actually; they'll be 'fun' to watch on the sideline this year.

It's brilliant to see so many internal management teams. Expenses saved can be directed into facilities or resources that should yield long-term benefits.