Messages

Best of luck to all the teams who go down this road. One of the many negatives I see with this is the club's who try and go alone senior heath o dempseys portarlington etc and could get beaten by these hybrid teams and find themselves in a relegation situation because they backed there own club players. Plenty of players from other counties stick with there teams and try and get them up to a higher level. It's a vicious cycle

To be fair, on the teams you mentioned, O'Dempseys were relegated 2 years ago without any of these 'hybrid' teams. The Heath were desperate to become a 'hybrid' team with Timahoe and Port should have enough resources in their town to not become involved in a relegation fight.

I would imagine that the Timahoe lads main focus will still be on getting promotion from intermediate, which will probably be the biggest issue in this amalgamation. Intermediate and Senior championship is usually on the same weekend, will the CB be sympathetic on this front and change fixtures based on this?

The Heath and Timahoe amalgamation seems to be almost done. That will be a very strong senior team if they can work together. Heard a another Gaels is almost done too, ( a strange combination in terms of geography!! ) Most lads who want senior football will get exposure now anyway.

I wouldn't think those players you mentioned are of the required level, Buggie would be worth a shot alright and Comerford (but he will probably play soccer). Sean Ramsbottom is in there as far as I know.

Not cocky just think sarsfeild are being under estimated a lot by most people! They've a serious set of forwards a solid not spactualar midfeild but plenty of size their and a back line that shan't even conceded a penalty you could forgive us for being confident but joes are a serous outfit I just think we've the better set of forwards sarsfeild is where I'd put my money anyway!

Where are you on the Sarsfield team Laoislad?

What relation is Gary to Gerry?

Son

Can intermediate players play senior football with a Gaels team or is it only Junior lads? You would imagine a few of the Emo boys would want to play Senior.. they would give a serious boost to a club!

I think its a bit premature to be saying that this is now a new era for Laois club football. This could be the kick up the arse Portlaoise needed to get going again. I agree that they certainly aren't as strong as previous years but I wouldn't be one bit surprised if they were winners again next year. It was a good result for Laois football however as it was becoming stale. However I can't understand how people are saying it was an outstanding game. It was a relatively poor game and without the excitement at the end I would say it was as forgettable as a previous 9 finals, Portlaoise just playing out to another win. But well done to Strad, written off by most, it was a serious win!

16/09/2016
19:45 Arles Kilcruise  v Crettyard Gaels           O'Moore Park   -> Crettyard aren't a bad side but Arles experience should see them through.

17/09/2016
15:30 The Heath  v  Emo                                McCann Park  (Relegation Final ) -> I have a feeling Emo might just pull it out of the fire. Could be game of the weekend!
18:00 Ballyroan Abbey  v   Arles/Killeen           O'Moore Park   -> Hard enough to call but think Arles will prevail if Kingston's are on form.
19:30 Portlaoise GAA  v  St Joseph's                O'Moore Park -> Portlaoise.

18/09/2016
19:00 Stradbally  v  Ballylinan                         O'Moore Park -> Probably not much of a surprise but I think Ballylinan will nick this one.

Hopefully we will be in for some good games anyway!

I read recently that Tony McEntee was approached but turned it down. Pity as he's a top quality manager. Good to see they are after managers of that calibre.

Wonder why he turned it down? Are we offering Mickey Mouse money?

We probably are, the CB see himself and Goofy as a duo that can bring the team forward.

Agree that the games at the weekend were pretty poor. What went on Saturday night sounded awful.

Sundays games were poor enough. R/E will be kicking themselves they aren't in a county final. It was criminal they let Camross back into it. A man up and with a strong wind. They looked the better team but didn't have the fight the Camross lads had.

2 weeks is a fair break for the replay. Think it should be sooner than that. Who cares about playing a match in O'Moore park or not if it's a conflict with the football that is pushing out the championship for 2 weeks.

Predictions for weekend:

27/08/2016
16:30   Graiguecullen GAA vs The Heath/An Fraoch Mór : The Heath - Surely they won't be in a relegation final after the promise they showed through the league.
18:00   Arles/Killeen vs Killeshin : Killeen to get their year back on track with a win here.
18:30   Clonaslee St Manmans/Cluain na Slí Naomh Meanmain vs Emo : A dogfight, with Emo's experience seeing them through.
19:30   St Joseph's vs Mountmellick Gaels : Think Mountmellick will manage a win. Looked impressive against The Heath.
28/08/2016
18:00   Baile Uí Laigheanáin/Ballylinan vs Portarlington : Portarlington to keep their topsy-turvy year going!
19:30   Crettyard Gaels vs Ballyfin Gaels : Crettyard to scrape this one with O'Carroll back.

Does anyone have the full draw for the next round? Have missed it somehow..

I agree with high fielder in that there isn't a whole lot of fresh talent there to bridge that gap.. However I won't be convinced that the decision they made out in Ballyfin regarding the league was a good one, pretty sure the Ballyfin lads don't even think so.. Wasn't at the game but you have to hand it to them, it was some win.

The most defining lesson we learned at the weekend is that there is nobody going to come within an asses roar of troubling Portlaoise. They are a credit, they show some hunger year after year. Relegation is fairly tasty, Clonaslee will be favourites, but with Will Young and a few others to come back they won't go down without a fight.. A real capitulation from The Heath, really thought they could give it a good go this year..

Clancy won't tog for Timahoe, he hasn't togged this year or last. But, I do think Timahoe will challenge O'Dempseys. They are probably too strong for intermediate but there is a reason they were relegated! There can be surprises at this level but the winner of whenever these two play will most likely be making the return to senior.