Messages

Yes I will give you that you mentioned two lads from Spink not 4 as just playing football for a laugh
and hurlers but the point been let them play and then make a choice.. They obviously showed something to the coaches
that was worthwhile in the greater scheme of things. Unless of course they were wearing helmets and carrying hurls
in the trials they must have shown a bit of footballing ability.

A number of people who were on the under 14 panel last year were dropped this year from the under 15 panel and there
was several trial days. So based on the coaches (opinion)  that's the best 31 currently at that age level regardless of them dwelling
in the towns or villages across Laois.

Hmmmmm, Diarmud Connolly had to make a choice to play football, his father is a Kilkenny man and check out the man
who happened to be good at hurling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IAAWKjRa1w

If the 2 spink lads who play football are as good at either well the future is bright.

its better to support all the emerging underage teams than have a go at them. This years minors will have a significant amount
of under 17's so possibly only possibly there is some significant talent pushing through. 

       

In respect of the comments about the 4 Spink lads just been athletic, having seen Spink in action against a couple
of more fancied teams last year, I thought  they were exceptional.

If you looked at that squad for the last 2-3 years most of the squad have been involved in various Feile Panels
with Ballyroan and St. Pauls and both teams represented Laois well.

No wonder people worry about Juvenile football and kids get turned off when you see comments like the ones about the Spink
Players  with many of them good soccer players too.

Its best to brand the kids at that age with hot irons to say Football or hurling. I understand that Diarmud Connolly is a better hurler and was a better juvenile hurler than footballer and played both at juvenile level. I am sure the same could have been said about him and it looks like its worked out for him and Dublin been an athletic hurler playing football.
     

 I would assume it would have to be with the blessing of both clubs. I cant see St. Pauls going it alone
as in 5 years time you then have to try and amalgamate three Clubs.

The name is probably an issue for Emo and Courtwood as well and the easiest way would be to
rename it as St. Pauls or St. Pauls Gaels.

But there is probably more chance of Rangers and Celtic merging and the forum will have the
same questions in 5 years time and the boat will have sailed. 

I assume the weaker players on Courtwood and Emo would play in the Junior set ups.

As advised earlier it might take a year or two of pain but every player and team would find its level.

That said it hasn't happened and people have been talking about it for years I believe.

Only new to the area but there is a lot of people talking about it , the problem is its
in trenches and has not reached the officers mess yet.

Yes juvenile success is Cyclical but at every age level from under 12's up,  St. Pauls and Ballyroan
appear to be very strong. At least Cyclical you can deal with a monopoly of senior tiltles does noting
for the rest of the clubs   
       

I am not sure what the situation is with the first club rule is for juvenlle clubs
but to clarify I understand that the adult clubs register the players as they have to
be registered with an adult club although they don't play for them but for an independent
team within the adult clubs.   

My understanding is that within the parish of Emo once a player has not played for an adult club they are entitled to play for either
Emo or Courtwood as its the same parish. If a person age 18 plays for either adult team they then become
affiliated to that club and will have to play for Emo or Courtwood on the basis that is their club.

There may be old historical areas but under the same parish it holds through that there is an entitelment to play for either club.

A child under 17 cant be registered to the adult club and is only used for Insurance purposes. That's my understanding
when asked.     
     

Yes point well made. And hopefully a number of the 16's 17 and minors will end up in college
and will be playing ,and under pressure to play for their college team or neighbourhood of
residence. Ultimately with the drop off, you are probably only talking about 3-4 players every year
moving up. But would Emo or Courtwood not better with the likes of Darren Strong and Niall Donoher
playing on the same side.

This is precisely the point that an amalgamation of both clubs would appear to be the best way to combat all
those factors. Statistically the team would do better if had more players to pick from as opposed to splitting
them up. I am sure both clubs could build an extension on both their club walls for pictures, if successful.

There is a heap of new houses in that area who have no affiliation to either club but have only known St. Pauls.

Amalgamations for the sake of it are pointless but there is probably not many clubs which are so intrinsically linked
than St Pauls and the two clubs of Emo and Courtwood.   

History is important to people when they retire and their pictures are up on the wall.
Players are looking for success and the ability to play within a competitive team. Consistency
is important and to break up kids who have been playing together from age 6-17 due
to history and old values and views would be a real shame.

Maybe they will have to form as a junior club and move it forward or knock heads together.

If it was any other sport it would be viewed as madness that the nursery of success at juvenile level
is diluted considering that players could play for either club as its the same parish. if all the players
chose one club over another I wonder what would happen.
 
     

It makes perfect and logical sense for underage amalgamation and the proof of this is the success
of St. Pauls. As I have seen in the other posts The Rock only join in with St Pauls at under 16
level but the vast percentage of the players at St. Pauls come from the Courtwood, Emo
catchment areas. Its crazy in St Pauls that when they reach 18 they then have to play against each other.
If you are looking to break the coronation of Portlaoise every year, the County Board must encourage
or have a plan regarding amalgamating regions and having a proper structured championship in place.
It also has to be done by a willing bunch of like minded players, If you are relying upon clubs committees
to arrange these things, Portlaoise will be heading for 30 in a row. The initial reluctance of clubs will eventually
subside and every player and every team will find their level. It also reduces the costs by concentrating on
a centre of excellence within one club but using the other club for junior matches etc. Strip out the history and pontification
and you might get somewhere someday.