Well, it's getting close. Here are the fixtures I lifted off the Leinster GAA website:
Saturday 2nd January 2016
Laois Venue (2.00) - Laois v Antrim
Sunday 10th January 2016
Laois Venue (2.00) - Laois v UCD
Sunday 17th January 2016
Laois Venue (2.00) - Laois v Dublin
Antrim game confirmed for Rathdowney.
Paddy Mullaney
Brian Stapleton
Brian Campion
John Delaney
Joe Fitz
Michael McEvoy
Gearoid Burke
Ciaran Collier
James Walsh
Joe Campion
Zane Keenan
Dayne Peacock
John Brophy
Tommy Fitzgerald
A.N Other
Not a bad team but not 1 of them available in 2016!!
Quote from: Tobias on December 20, 2015, 06:52:31 AM
Paddy Mullaney
Brian Stapleton
Brian Campion
John Delaney
Joe Fitz
Michael McEvoy
Gearoid Burke
Ciaran Collier
James Walsh
Joe Campion
Zane Keenan
Dayne Peacock
John Brophy
Tommy Fitzgerald
A.N Other
Not a bad team but not 1 of them available in 2016!!
We can whinge about who's not there and just be happy with new lads that are in team. Hopefully new players get good tryout in Walsh cup and aim to get out of tough group!
All IT Carlow lads playing with the college this year, picky,enda,cha and dwayne...Wexford in the first round they have sat 2nd jan
Zane Keenan is back this year I have heard.
Also Darren Maher is back - it is a huge pity that we didn't have him last year as we could have shored up alot of those goals, esp against Dublin.
With Healy free to return to the 5 shirt we won't be as weak as some are lamenting.
I seriously hope that we see Tom Delaney cement a starting place - it's been a while since we've had someone with a bit of grit like Mick Mack in the days.
Off topic:
I wish all the LaoisTalkers a Happy Christmas and an exciting New Year for hurling! :)
Said I'd try throw up a team that might be available for the 2nd.
Eoin Reilly
Oisín Carroll
Darren Maher
Podge Lalor
Cahir Healy
Matthew Whelan
Liam O Connell
Paddy Purcell
Colm Stapleton
John Lennon
Patrick Whelan
Ciaran Collier
Ben Conroy
PJ Scully
Mark Kavanagh
Perhaps a little thin in places but we are short a lot of strong hurlers through injury, work and college commitments.
This Walsh Cup is an absolute non-entity in my books but it gets air into the lungs and me out of the house. Don't know how we managed to get three home games but we'll take it!
PJ scully finished with Limerick this year Merman?
Weak enough outfit, especially in defence,
We have some big shoes to fill, the return of Darren Maher is a big boost in that regard.
I'd imagine Neil Foyle will be given a big chance to nail down a central roll up front.
PJ is still in UL but unsure if he is college tied for the Walsh Cup
Is Reddin going to hurl with Laois this year?
AFAIK Reddin is rearing to go! ;)
Is John Walsh of Ballinakill back in Laois fold this season?
John Walsh is indeed on the panel and should feature Saturday. As are other players who slipped my mind like Ben Reddin, Ciaran McEvoy, Eoghan Fennelly and Ryan Mullaney.
I had Neil Foyle down as being injured but I hope I'm wrong. I've long been an advocate of getting a fully-fit and firing Foyle into this team and a full pre-season could do him wonders.
Foyle is fit and raring to go, was part of 4/5 player group, including picky & Cha, who were givin extra training over the Xmas
The match on Saturday vs Antrim moved to Heywood because of Storm frank. Frankly a wise choice!
Happy New Year to everyone! Here's hoping for a great hurling year ahead. It will be tough to top last years big result but we need to improve again and keep closing the gap, Best wishes to Cheddar & the panel.
We played Westmeatg in a practice match last Wednesday night & won it easily, with some unusual and interesting positional moves
Looking forward to tomorrow; glad to see the change of venue. Heywood setup is top class and should be conducive to a decent match.
I won't spoil any of the surprises Ogie has alluded to; not exactly changes I would make but now is the time of the year to try these things!
Interesting times indeed, but as others have said, now's da time ta experiment.
Laois 3-17 v 1-19 Antrim
Good start to the year. Hope to God Ben Conroy is ok after what looked like a nasty fall injuring his knee.
Alot of wides by Laois and two disallowed goals coupled with alot of new faces makes this win all the more important. Antrim were quite clinical in their shooting but the fast AstroTurf probably didn't suit them.
Impressed by Laois overall who looked unbelievabley fit for post Christmas! Ben Reddin my man of the match. Impressed with Tadgh Dowling too.
Will add more to this later.
Will someone put up the starting team and subs up later. Couldn't get out to game. Good win so it seemed on twitter!
Good the see Reddin played well he impressed me whenever he's gotten his chance. Still remember his goal against Clare and the roof nearly lifting off the stand.
Didn't get to the game, can anyone give a report and how lads played. Some interesting positional switches! Good start to the year anyway.
Any word on the injury to Conroy?
Good start to the year and will be interesting to see how we get on against UCD and the Dubs which will be much sterner tests. Brilliant for all of the new lads to come in and get the win. Maybe some of the younger lads will stand up now that they have their chance to cement a place with so many retired.
Considering the retirements and lads not available due to college etc it's still a decent win.
must be a very different dressing room without a few of the lads from last year!
the lads did fairly well, they definitely seemed to have a spring in their step compared to Antrim. its hard to be critical at this time of year, plus the weather wasnt great and playing on the all weather surface probably takes getting used to but all in all it was a fairly good performance but i wouldn't read into it too much. Antrim were quite poor.
they moved well and passed short well but they wasted ball when delivering it long/quick, that probably needs work but again, its partly down to a new team getting used to each other etc.
lost shape a bit in the 2nd half but held out well for the win without over exerting themselves.
Foyle did ok at centre back but nothing outstanding, dont think he'll stay there for the year.
Reddin did have a good game, worked really hard from midfield and was up and down the pitch, Matt Whelan was the same. Scully was in good form as was Dowling at full forward.
Ryan Mullaney at half back was ok but a tad slow, few other lads a bit on the slow side too and i would be worried about our defense going forward. we have at least 3 or 4 good forwards/midfielders to come back to the panel yet but i dont think there is much in the way of good defenders yet to come back in is there?
its going to be a tough year with player retirements from last year and a new team finding their feet, but i guess we knew that.
Conroy didnt look good, he was in a lot of pain when he went down and i overheard one of the physios saying "bruising already" and he hadn't even made it to the dressing room at that stage. didnt hear anything since though.
Is Ross King still in UCD, I see he wasn't on the team sheet for them tonight. They were 5 points up at half time against a reasonably strong Dublin, lost by six in the end. They will be a good test for Laois on Sunday. Hopefully a few of the younger players show up well. The result isn't overly important, these games are all about seeing who is putting their hand up and who is ready for senior county hurling.
We have Kerry at home in the first round of the league, it's s must win game but they will be no pushovers. Offaly away in the second game, it's a winable game but they are rejuvenated this year and it won't be easy. It's a good start to the league though and to get two wins would be massive, we could really have a go at Clare and Limerick with the pressure off.
As any manager will tell you competitive games are far better than challenges so the Walsh cup serves it's purpose. Two good games coming up against UCD and Dublin. If we can squeeze another game out of it then all the better as we'll need to hit the ground running for the league.
I would also think that any Laois player would be very happy with a Walsh cup medal if that were ever to happen. 1991 since we last won it.
Especially when the final is now hurled in Croke Park, we don't get the opportunity to hurl their too often anymore
They hardly will this year, either - can't see them beating Dublin. For a long time they looked like they'd lose today to UCD, but, in fairness, good fitness in the last ten minutes paid off. Brendan Reddin and Ryan Mullaney caught the eye, and it was good to see Ciaran Collier back, too. Some nice points from Scully and Purcell, and Maher and Whelan were solid. Foyle didn't really dominate at centre back, but he got on a lot of ball. There were times when he could have gone for the score, but just played it in low to the two-man full-forward line. I suppose he's been told to do that. Still and all, nice to get a win for them. Didn't think much of the grill around the pitch - didn't make it too easy to get a good view. Are they training there all the time, I wonder?
Heywood is their permanent base; good gym setup and the astro and pitches are excellent.
Very impressed with Ryan Mullaney and John Walsh today. PJ Scully hit over some nice scores also, Ben Reddin had been great so far and I was pleasantly surprised with Eoghan Fennelly. Fitness levels look really impressive and it was nice to eke out a win seeing the shallowness of our panel at present.
I've heard a rumour that Joe Fitzpatrick might come back on board before the league starts. If there is any chance of this happening then Cheddar should move heaven and earth to make it so.
I heard that both Zane Keenan and Willie Hyland won't be involved this year. It was just chat at the match - I hope it's not quite true?
Quote from: burdizzo on January 10, 2016, 08:36:00 PM
I heard that both Zane Keenan and Willie Hyland won't be involved this year. It was just chat at the match - I hope it's not quite true?
Zane is definitely back.
Quote from: merman on January 10, 2016, 08:07:54 PM
I've heard a rumour that Joe Fitzpatrick might come back on board before the league starts. If there is any chance of this happening then Cheddar should move heaven and earth to make it so.
I'd say there is a very good chance Joe will be back. Supposed to be training hard. Can't see Willie Hyland not returning either. Any word on Cahir Healy? Would be way more suited to any of the other backs positions than full back, now that Darren is back.
Healy was training over Christmas.
I'd assume he's training away in London and not expected back for weekends until the league starts.
Willie, Zane, Cahir & Joe will all be on board for the league thankfully!
Joe was hurling as well if not better than ever and is training away all over Christmas,
I think it's a good thing to give them a break I'd have liked to see Matthew taking a month or two off as well, that's mostly the core that's being going hard for years & no need for them in the Walsh Cup,
Good to get the couple of wins and decent performances , although very hard to judge on the all weather pitches, step up again next Sunday and a good test.
Interesting team selection so far in the Walsh Cup. I wonder will Foyle still be at center back for the 1st round of the league? Mullaney at wing back looked good. Big man for a 20 year old!
That's a big bonus to hear the lads are coming back.
It certainly wasn't due to fitness or lack of appetite that Joe was retiring. I assumed it was just a case of family committments.
Both himself and Healy will be a big boost for the defence.
Willie and Zane would get into most intercounty teams bar maybe Kilkenny and we have no one like Willie to win primary possession in the forward line.
Really looking forward to teh league campaign now (not that I wasn't already)
That is brilliant news indeed Ogie, four vital players for us. When you add in John Walsh, Darren Maher and the younger lads who have joined the panel things do look a bit brighter! I haven't seen the team in action yet this year but taking into account the lads that are injured/college tied the two results so far have been excellent. That was a nearly full strength Antrim team in the first game and UCD gave us plenty of it last year when we had a strong team out. Dublin next will of course be a totally different proposition, but the Walsh Cup is serving us well to blood the younger guys and try lads out in different positions.
Re. Foyle, well the lad could probably hurl anywhere due to his talent, but I'd reckon it's Cheddar being clever and playing him in a very physically demanding position to get him fitter. I've always believed a fully fit Neil Foyle could be as good as anyone, fingers crossed he gets a break from injuries and it happens this year.
Great to hear about all those who are returning.
How is Foyle doing at the center back position?
Is willie Dunphy involved this year? I think he is another player that can add something up front.
Willie Dunphy is recovering from knee surgery.
I had heard that he is expected back before the end of the league but then there was a rumour floating around yesterday that it could be closer to the summer before he's available.
There's been a few names posted this last week that I'm not yet familiar with. Would someone mind listing their clubs and what positions they usually play? Thanks!
Ciaran Collier
Ryan Mullaney
John Walsh
Eoghan Fennelly
Quote from: Mossy Bruce on January 11, 2016, 10:26:15 PM
There's been a few names posted this last week that I'm not yet familiar with. Would someone mind listing their clubs and what positions they usually play? Thanks!
Ciaran Collier
Ryan Mullaney
John Walsh
Eoghan Fennelly
Ciaran Collier - Camross
Third (?) year on the panel; came straight in from the minors and is predominantly a half-forward or midfielder. Very athletic and capable hurler.
Ryan Mullany - Castletown
Second year on the panel; another straight from minor and is probably best as a half-back. Great size, strength and has a lovely natural ability.
John Walsh - Ballinakill
Has returned to the panel after a number of years away with work commitments. John must be 30 now and was a supremely talented defender as a juvenile who is back approaching his best form now.
Am I right in saying John captained St Kieran's to an All Ireland College's Championship 10-12 years ago?
Eoghan Fennelly - Abbeyleix
First year on the panel and still U21, Eoghan's family would be steeped in hurling tradition and he's had a brilliant couple of years with his club. Could hurl in any of the forward positions.
Looks like the U21s are putting in a serious shift already. Was good to see a few of them filling places on the senior panel Sunday. We could debate for hours about how much closer we have actually become to the teams above us but we are certainly seeing a stronger depth to our extended panel. I think the standard of the club hurler in Laois is certainly on the rise.
Thanks, Merman. :D
I see both Scully and Maher on the HS team of the week. I know you can't read too much into these teams of the week etc but it's great to see Laois names i there and must be a boost for the lads named.
With Cahir Joe Zane and willie to come back it certainly looks brighter ...
John Walsh is a boost if he can get up to speed.
Merman, John Walsh did captain St Kierans college to an All Ireland colleges title back in 2004.
John Walsh was also center back on a dark day for Laois hurling I remember being in Navan that day and thinking where do we go from here...
At Navan
Down 2-16
Laois 0-19
DOWN - G Clarke; L Clarke, S Murray, S Roddy; G Clarke, K Courtney, P Hughes; A Savage 0-1, C Coulter; R McGrattan 0-1, P Braniff 1-4, G Adair 0-1, M Coulter 1-7, B McGourty 0-1, S Clarke. Subs: J McGrattan 0-1 for C Coulter (h-t), E McGuinness for S Clarke (70)
LAOIS - P Mullaney; B Campion, P Cuddy, P Mahon; J Phelan, J Walsh, J Hyland; J Young 0-9, J Fitzpatrick; K O'Keeffe, D Cuddy 0-2, S Dwyer 0-3; D Culleton, P Cuddy, J Hooban 0-1. Subs: D Rooney 0-3 for O'Keeffe (15), C Healy 0-1 for Culleton (43), J Brophy for Dwyer (58), P Russell for D Cuddy (61)
REF - J Ryan (Tipperary).
Division 1B Relegation Playoff
Team for Sunday
O'Reilly
Carroll, Walsh, Maher
O'Mara, Foyle, Mullaney
Stapleton
Whelan
Collier, Reddin, Purcell,
Fennelly, Scully, Kavanagh.
Dublin will be well up for it this weekend and will be a good test to see where these younger lads are at!
Best of luck to the lads tomorrow, but expectations should be kept low. A lot of fringe players are getting a chance and a lot of u21's involved too. We're going to conceeding an awful lot in terms of size and experience tomorrow. Whatever way it goes against Dublin, the Walsh Cup has served us well this year.
Tough day out yesterday.
Too many very scorable wides. Same as last year Dublin proved a real hard test and we didn't have the players to take the game to them.
In saying that we did get to shoot for scores in the final third but some very poor wides even taking account of the wind.
With Hyland, Keenan, Picky and Cha to come back as well as King and Ben Conroy getting over injuries it's hard to see any of the forwards yesterday nailing down a spot.
It's the first time I have seen them this year and management are trying out players and making positional changes so the performance and workrate is more important than a victory. Dublin definately more cohesive. They played with an ease whereas we were very rushed at times and struggled to get and retain possession.
At least plenty of young lads have had a taste of senior intercounty and what's required to make the step up.
Anyone stand out?
There were no real stand out players as such. Maher and Healy in the backs played well but made mistakes.
Whelan wasn't too bad. Reddin was very lively but his size meant he was shoved off the ball too often. Mullaney did reasonably well. Foyle getting used to his new role so struggled to stay with his man. Paddy Purcell did some good stuff but all in all no real standout players as they mixed the good with the bad.
If you were to pick one it would be between Maher and Healy but you know what you're going to get with these lads anyhow.
Actually, I thought Foyle played a bit better as centre back this time. Himself, Healy, and Maher were the pick of the backs, while further up the field there wasn't a whole lot to be excited about. With that amount of wides, how could you? Dublin seemed to be out in front a lot of the time. Dowling took his goal very nicely indeed, but didn't do much apart from that.
Reilly really should have stopped the penalty, which wasn't all that well struck.
What's the story w/ Ross King? He was togged out for UCD at Heywood, but didn't feature for them at all. In fact, he was number 30 on the 'programme'. Is he still coming back from injury?
I think I heard Roddy had knee surgery before Christmas. Nothing too severe; just to clean up some issues around his cartilage; Willie Dunphy had similar.
I really think we should be looking at Matthew Whelan at full back. A back 6 of Healy-Whelan-Maher; Fitzpatrick-Foyle-Delaney would be a serious foundation!
I see King got too points for UCD at the weekend? or is there a different R.King?
Foyle had a decent game Burdizzo but his man did some serious damage. Foyle seemed to get caught at times between holding the space or following his man out the field which left him exposed. He will need to get time to settle into the role as it's totally different to anything he's done since Cheddar came in.
Poor performance all round yesterday, first time hurling on grass this year showed, a lot of poor touches and poor decision making by most of forwards.
Hopefully all of the above mentioned will be back in training in the coming weeks, we can't afford to be without anyone.
I'm sure Kerry will be targeting two points against us to survive in 1B,
On yesterday's performers I thought Darren Maher, Neil Foyle & Ryan Mullaney hurled well, with Mullaney really putting his hand up for a starting spot, hurling very similar to Tom Delaney last year,
I think Foyle reads the game brilliantly, Santa he was constantly told to sit back yesterday but our midfielders weren't covering, Dublin as they did in te championship game last year used they ball very smartly & gave good ball into their forwards.
Up front only Scully & Purcell showed glimpses of what they could do,
I'm sure they will have a good 4 weeks ahead with plenty of hurling & practice matches (it also looks very much like Brendan Cummins has a much more involved role this year) & with a full crew back on board we will account for Kerry in first round.
I see Offaly are getting all excited and confident again after beating a poor Kilkenny U21 team so hopefully we can beat them in Birr in the second round too and get the year off to a real flyer!
Merman, would you not find a place for John Walsh somewhere in the back 6?
Does Matthew have the pace for full back?
Personally, I didn't think John Walsh was very good at full-back on Sunday. I don't think you could have him in the full-back line, anyway.
Darren Maher is the only man for full back. Walsh will need a bit of time to get up to speed. Hopefully he can.
Quote from: redsetanta on January 21, 2016, 05:19:57 PM
Merman, would you not find a place for John Walsh somewhere in the back 6?
Does Matthew have the pace for full back?
Walsh mightn't make my first team but I can guarantee you Cheddar knows a hell of a lot more than me!! I would have concerns about his pace; particularly over the first couple of yards.
As for Matthew; basically, I want him in my team but I don't think he's our best option on the half-back line. Physically, I think he could be an excellent fullback.
I would have no fears whatsoever in throwing Darren Maher in at full back either by the way.
I'd agree with merman, if Matthew hasn't the pace for full bk then J Walsh certainly hasn't. When it comes to the summer you need guys with pace especially in the full bk line. I even think mermans back six might struggle against quality opposition for pace..
Healy-Whelan-Maher; Fitzpatrick-Foyle-Delaney
I think Healy would be ideal for a man marking job on the likes of Shane Dooley, the other corner bk spot should go to someone with pace to and hope that Darren Maher can do a job a full back.
Paddy Purcell needs to be in midfield and we need to be getting the best out of him there.
Up front they kind of pick themselves if they are all there, Hyland, Zane(hopefully), Cha, Picky, Roddy, then maybe Scully or a fit Willie Dunphy.
I think that Reddin would be worth a shout in one of the corners for the league if the other lads are back. He'd be best suited closer to goal. He doesn't have the physicality for the 11 shirt.
Great to see it confirmed that Joe & Zane are back on board and Willie & Cahir are also back in training,
How did the practice game go against Waterford last week?
Things looking up alright and alot of senior players performing very well in the Fitzgibbon competition. Hopefully they hit the ground running in the league!