Messages

Have to admit I didn't think Rosenallis would have that in them; fair play. Great achievement.
Disappointing for Harps, probably favou0rites for the drop now.
Not sure John Maher has the size for county. Worth a look maybe.

Sounds like Castletown put it up to Ballacolla in the first game. Picky is hitting serious scores.

Ballyfin had a comfortable win in the Premier Int. Rathdowney didn't make any subs trying to keep their juniors together. Match was over at the water break. They should have the football finished this week and will have 3 weeks go train and prepare for a semi-final.

RE and Ballinakill into the quarter-finals and were likey to see Ballinakill v portlaoise in one semi-final.

Predicting Ballyfin v Portlaoise final with s Bloom to relegate Colt Shanahoe

Think Borris will improve even more with 4 weeks before a semi-final.
They've players coming back from injury and young lads like Tynan and Quinlan.
Wouldn't back against them.

RE used Rafter from their Premier Intermediates. Big loss that might cost them a semi-final place. Though I think they'll go threw even if they lose.

I think Borris will win tonight in a bit of a shock.

And to add that it shouldn't really be a shock. They beat Rathdowney Errill last year.

I think Borris will win tonight in a bit of a shock.

Sounds like big numbers from the football/duel clubs at the U14 hurling with laois.
Think Port and emo had nearly a team between them.
Ballyfin had at least 5 and I think mountmellick had a few as well.

Pity laois today or the papers don't cover these matches. The lads would lvoe to see their names mentioned.

RE without Ross King weakens them to be fair.

I think BK will be more up for it with a point to prove.

Ballacolla will beat Castletown but hopefully it's tight for at least a half. And I think it will be.

I think The Harps could hammer Rosenallis and other game is too hard to call.

Anyone any thoughts on the Premier Intermediate?
Ballyfin, RE, Ballinakill and Slieve Bloom all with a win each.
I think Ballyfin will beat RE and Ballinakill will beat Slieve Bloom.
That would allow RE through in 3rd place with Ballyfin topping the group ahead of Ballinakill on head-to-head.

The other group should see comfortable wins for Portlaoise and Camross with them finishing 1st and 2nd respectively. Clonaslee will take 3rd and Colt/Shanahoe looked doomed already.

I've seen a lot of matches in both codes over the last couple of weeks. We're not in a great place but at least the football looks quite competitive. I didn't go into the 2 early games on Sunday and though Port are worthy favourites, they're not miles ahead of the pack by any means.

Have to say I was very disappointed with Stradbally. They played into Graigue's hands. I had them as potential dark-horses but they looked a good deal off. Graigue will be there or thereabouts.

O'Dempseys laboured over Rosenallis. Hatch and Barry are dangerous but you'd worry if they are held. They look well-drilled.

Looking forward, I think we'll see wins for Clonaslee, Joe's, Emo and Stradbally.

Ballyfin and Ballylinan should win the relegation semi-finals.

Port favourites; Graigue second.
Very little between O'Ds, Ballyroan, Joseph's, Portlaoise and maybe Strad/Emo.

Well done to Portlaoise. Came good at the end; can't help but feel that they got out of jail.

Feels a little harsh that Ballyfin are out after two good performances but that's sport.

I had a feeling Clonaslee would win last night and they could easily have another big performance in them if the get a decent draw.
They have a solid team with athleticism in the right places. And Corbett is just a joy to watch.

I'm sticking to my prediction for a massive upset tonight.

Senior Championship numbers: Was mooted years ago exploring reducing 16 teams to 12. Like turkeys voting for Christmas but will it ever happen?

We say this a lot but is it true?
Some of the most progressive clubs at senior now have had to come up through the ranks in recent years. Surely contesting and winning finals is more appealing to 18-23 year-olds than near-constant relegation worries and the odd 'good year' where you make a semi-final?

Colt-Shanahoe likely to go down. Be interesting to see if the amalgamation could withstand that.

To break up would be suicidal for both clubs.

Perhaps but things don't seem great there.
A mid-Laois area team is something that needs to be considered.

I think Borris/K could catch Rathdowney the next day.
Especially with Ross King not playing. Would give them a massive boost.

Rosenallis and The Harps could be a nervy game. The Harps surely have better hurlers.

Ballacolla will beat Castletown and I think Camross will overcome Abbeyleix.

Intermediate looks very open. Portlaoise and Ballinakill are probably the teams to beat. Wouldn't rule out Ballyfin; the weekends loss might be the kick they needed. Colt-Shanahoe likely to go down. Be interesting to see if the amalgamation could withstand that.

Winner's Section:

Portarlington v Courtwood
I think Port are an awful match for Courtwood. They have similar strengths in a lot of ways but Port just have more of them. Port by 8.
Ballyroan Abbey v St Joseph's
Interesting game this. BA can be great to watch but will they relish the type of game Joseph's will play; I'm not so sure.
Heart says Ballyroan; head says Joe's.
I'll go with Ballyroan by 3.
O'Dempseys v Rosenallis
I really liked the look of O'Dempseys the last day. They should match the athleticism of Rosenallis and I think they've a better spread of scoring threats.
O'Ds by 6.
Stradbally v Graiguecullen
This is the game I'm most looking forward to. I like a lot about Stradbally; I think they're building something really worthwhile but Graigue might be a little further down the line.
This will be very close and I wouldn't be surprised to see this going all the way to penalties.
I'll go with Graigue to come through.

Losers Section:

The Heath vs Emo
I'd be very worried about The Heath. I think Emo will have knives sharpened for this one and I can't see where The Heath will get their scores. Emo by 10.
Arles-Killeen v Killeshin
I've heard Donie Kingston may be a doubt for this one. If he plays I think Killeen may keep it close but I still think Killeshin will prevail by 3/4. If he doesn't play, it could be any score.
Clonaslee St Manmans v Ballylinan
I've a sneaky feeling Clonaslee could win this. They're a well-rounded team and I just feel they might be able to hold Ballylinan's key players.
Portlaoise v Ballyfin
My heart is ruling my head but I think Ballyfin might cause a shock here. Port was a brutal first round draw and this is just as hard but I'd contend we were the better team for substantial periods of the last game, albeit Port weren't at their best.
Portlaoise should win but I'll take Ballyfin to edge it by 2.