Any word on how this years minors are getting on? I see the first match in the Leinster championship is in four weeks against Wexford in Wexford park. It's always a very hard place to go but this laois them has real potential, hopefully they can fulfil it.
They have quiet a number of lads off last years panel, to my mind d hartnett, c phelan, l o Connell, l Cleere, m Kavanagh, a Dunphy, a Mortimer, r phelan are still there off the starting team. Anyone else?
Sean Downey and Dinny Cahill both still minor I think as well. We gave the A-I champs a run for their money last year and we have the big majority of that team underage again so you'd be hopeful we can give it a decent lash.
How many of the county minors are on the Mountrath CS team?
Aaron Dunphy and Conor Phelan would be guaranteed starters if fit. After that I'd say Mountrath CS would have a good few more on the panel with the likes of Stephen Dunphy and Dylan Conroy pushing hard for a starting jersey too. That was impressive scoring in their semi-final, but they might have been better off with a closer game. Best of luck to them in the final!
Minors away to Wexford on Saturday at 3pm.
Anyone any idea how they are shaping up? It will be good for a Mountrath CS lads to have this game after their defeat last Saturday.
Anybody have a stab at the starting 15?
Have heard very little about them so far, which may be no bad thing as too much can be read into challenge match results. We certainly should be competitive with the players we have available, but being away to Wexford is a seriously tough opener.
Haven't heard much about them this year, but having a good few off last years panel and good strong 16's from last year they should give it a right go this year!
I'd imagine a team something like this,
1. Stephen Kelly
2.
3. Dinny Cahill
4.
5. Conor Phelan
6. Liam O'Connell
7. Lee Cleere
8. Sean Downey
9. Stephen Dunphy
10. Robbie Phelan
11.
12.
13. Mark Kavanagh
14. Aaron Dunphy
15. Andrew Mortimer
I see it's the same half back line and same full forward line from last year so the experience in these areas could prove well for Laois. All these players were on the panel last year (I think), so I would fancy them to start again. Don't know who would fill in the missing positions there though, any ideas?
Didn't know Mark Kavanagh was still minor. He is some asset to have this year and as you said lots of experience. Did Cheddar not bring him into the senior set up?
We know that Kilkenny will be there abouts as they are every year but what will Wexford be like does anyone know? I don't think Offaly will be up to much.
With a bit of luck could this be the year that we could go all the way in Leinster?
He's definitely still minor anyway. Not sure about the senior call up though, first I heard of it.
Hopefully it is the year, I'm very optimistic!
I'm sure that I read somewhere that he was in training with the senior squad.
wexford won the leinster league last weekend beat offaly well, don't know how good wexford are but they are never simple in wexford park in any grade.
Laois Minor Hurling manager Pat Critchley has announced his starting 15 for Saturday's Electric Ireland Leinster MHC clash with Wexford
1. Stephen Kelly (Rosenallis)
2. Joe Geaney (Portlaoise)
3. Conor Phelan (Castletown)
4. Darragh Connolly (Na Fianna)
5. Liam O'Connell (Rathdowney Errill)
6. Denis Cahill (Park Ratheniska)
7. Lee Cleere (Clough Ballacolla)
8. Seán Downey (Ballinakill)
9. Stephen Dunphy (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
10. Stephen Phelan (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
11. Martin Phelan (Castletown)
12. Robbie Phelan (Clough Ballacolla)
13. Dylan Conroy (Castletown)
14. Mark Kavanagh (Rathdowney-Errill)
15. Aaron Dunphy (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
Plenty of experience in that team from last year which should stand to them. I would count 7 starters from the opening game against Offaly last year. Lets hope there's a good start to the year.
The very best of luck to our lads. Bit surprised to see Andrew Mortimer not starting, perhaps he's injured? That half back line should be able to give us a great platform to build from and the full forward line looks dangerous.
The first thing that jumps out at me is that we have real and genuine ball-winners in that middle 8.
Cahill and O' Connell are big strong minors and Cleere, though not as tall, togs out big and is very able in the air.
I'd have question marks over Cahill at centre-back but only because I've not seen much of him; he certainly has the physicality to nail the position and his lieutenants either side are of the very highest quality.
Downey and Dunphy look a good midfield partnership, mobile and both have an eye for a score. Downey is a big player for us I feel; not as heralded as others but gets through a lot of work and is a selfless foil for a serious forward-line.
The Phelan-line looks formidable and could prove very hard to handle.
Martin can sometimes look awkward but that unorthodox style makes him hard to stop, he can be very direct and takes punishment/hardship that is vital in that central role. Stephen has a great hand and brings good physicality and whilst Robbie will be a marked-man after last year; it'll take a fair minor to hold him for 60 mins.
Conor Phelan is an excellent defender and looks a good pick at full-back; Geaney and Connolly are both very quick and tigerish full-backs.
I'm excited to see Conroy, Kavanagh and especially Aaron Dunphy having a real go at the Wexford full-back line. They have a lovely blend of pace, guile and power and I see goals in this team that I don't see in our seniors at present.
Best of luck to the team on Saturday.
Wexford Park has been a graveyard for a lot of good Laois teams over the last few years and this will be a massive challenge.
I do have a very good feeling about this bunch though....
Cheers Merman, it's good to get that extra bit of info about the players and who to keep an eye out for. Interesting contest ahead.
Was also looking to put a few bob on Laois for Leinster but can't find any odds although only looked on PP. Anyone know where i would get odds for the minors?
not sure about PP but other bookies wont take bets on under 18 competitions...
A solid team there, Pat has picked, that will be very hard to handle. Super pace in that forward line with all 6 well able to create chances and take their scores! I don't know an awful lot about the two corners backs, but with such talent in the county at this age this year, they'd have to be good to nail down a starting spot.
Don't be surprised to see Mark Kavanagh moving to corner forward, pushing Dylan Conroy out to half, which will allow Stephen Phelan moving into full where I'm sure he would wreak havoc to the Wexford goal!
I'm very optimistic about this bunch of players, very best of luck to them all!
Laois leading 0-13 to 1-02 after 25 minutes. Playing with the wind but 13 scores to 3 says it all.
Some collapse in the second half. Only 1 point scored. Musn't have had a sniff at goal.
Anyhow very important to regroup and do what Kilkenny did last year.
Very disappointed to having been pipped at the post. Only to score 1pt in the second half is not good enough and conceding two soft goals killed us. Laois have to learn that they must hurl for the full 60 minutes and start being ruthless. I hope that we didn't win the toss and opted to play with the wind in the first half. To do that would have been suicide.
Hard luck lads will have learnt a lot about themselves today. Hopefully it'll stand to them in the long run. Look how the kilkenny minors turned it around last year. Meath next I think should bounce back comfortably.
Hopefully they'll be let back to the clubs to refocus and get plenty of gametime for the lads on the sideline.
Absolutely gutted by todays result, in the first half we hurled very well and in my minds eye I really thought I was watching something special. The goals were sucker punches and the second half was an unmitigated disaster but his happens at underage GAA and I for one still think this bunch could be real contenders for Leinster if we learn from this match but we have a hell of alot to learn.
Hard luck to the lads today, couldn't make the game but was following it as best I could and thought with 16 points at half time we'd win it. What went so wrong in the second half PortlaoiseKid (or anyone else who was there)? Obviously only scoring a point isn't good, were we overly defensive? I've just viewed footage of the two goals and they were of the extremely soft variety, but as was said this can happen to minors. Thank God there is a back door. We got off to a disastrous start v Kilkenny in 2013 before going on to reach a Leinster final and this is perhaps a better group of players. It's still there for them, but last chance saloon now.
It simply came down to the wind in the second half. Stephen Kelly's puck outs weren't even going passed our own 65 in the second half and many were dropping on our own 45, this, along with Laois not being able to run the ball out of defence led to only 1 point being scored in the second half. No ball got into our full forward line. One player who impressed in the second half was Lee Cleere, a strong lad that won every ball that came his way.
One special mention to a Stephen Phelan point in the first half where a great pass from the back (think it was Liam O'Connell) up to Phelan and he caught the ball practically on the sideline going away from goal and turned with an audacious effort and it went straight between the post. As good a score as you'll ever see.
Disappointed at the result and I'm sure the lads will be kicking them sleves for the sloppy goals, but they'll move on from here and get things back on track.
Just had a look at the championship format there and the loss yesterday, while obviously disappointing, might actually work out in our favour in the long run..
If Wexford get beaten the next day they're out as there is no back door in semi final. We could play two losers games against opposition that we should be far too good for and find ourselves also in a semi final. It's better for us to get the games similar to 2013 as it gives a chance to mix things up again and get confidence back. They would also get momentum going into semi final. Getting beaten in first round is not that bad. The manner of the defeat wasn't great but at least they can work on it. Don't think Laois were in the minor league so they wouldn't have had that many games together.
Info info in my last post is incorrect.
Wexford play Kilkenny and Offaly play Dublin with the losers going on to play the winners of the 'losers' games. So Wexford will get a second shot if they lose to KK the next day.
Laois caught late on after excellent first half showing
Laois minor hurlers produced the proverbial 'game of two halves' performance in Wexford Park on Saturday afternoon to lose out by two points.
For the opening 30 minutes, Pat Critchley's charges turned in as good a half of hurling as you could hope to see from a Laois team. They scored 0-16 , with 0-12 of that coming from play as they dominated the home side.
For that opening period they enjoyed a strong wind advantage and they gave a masterclass in how to use the elements to your advantage, bombing over points from distance.
They were dominant in the air as well, winning a huge amount of clean possession from puckouts, and but for two brief moments, were flawless.
Those two lapses which would ultimately come back to haunt them were the concession of two goals to Wexford, both of which were entirely avoidable.
The general consensus among both sets of supporters after the game was that Laois didn't deserve to lose the game, but they at least have the chance to put things right. The second half performance, playing into the wind which yielded just one point for Laois, will no doubt have left the team keen to put things right.
They can do that in two weeks time against Meath, and the team should be confident they can still make a big impression on this Leinster championship.
They certainly showed that in the first half, as they raced into an early lead. The impressive Stephen Phelan got the scoring under way in the third minute, and Liam O'Connell added another from distance within a minute.
Those scores set the team up, and Lee Cleere caught a Wexford puck out soon after and sent it soaring back between the posts. Stephen Phelan notched his second before Wexford finally opened their account, with a point from Mikey Dwyer.Liam O'Connell hit back for Laois with a point from a free on his own 45 yard line, and Aaron Dunphy quickly added another.
Ciaran O'Connor pointed a free from a rare Wexford shot on goal, but Laois powered on thanks to two brilliant points from Stephen Dunphy and a sideline cut from all of 55 yards by Mark Kavanagh.
Wexford struck for their first goal after that, when Ian Carty's ball in held up in the wind and Stephen O'Gorman caught it in the penalty area and fired to the net.
Laois were undeterred by that setback and bounced back really well, rattling off five points in a row, the pick of them a wonderful catch and shot on the right wing by Stephen Phelan.
Much of that good work was undone, however, when Liam O'Connell failed to control the ball in the penalty area and O'Connor again pounced for their second goal.
Both teams managed two more points apiece before half time and that left Laois leading by 0-16 to 2-4 at the break.
Playing into the strong wind in the second half it was always going to be difficult for Laois, but it probably turned out to be more difficult than they thought it would be.
Wexford didn't really come roaring back at them, instead they slowly chipped away the lead. Seamus Casey got their first point of the half and Ciaran O'Connor added a couple of frees to halve the deficit.
Three more points from the home side saw them draw level with 15 minutes to go, but Laois re-took the lead thanks to asuperb score from Mark Kavanagh out on the right wing.
That was the last score Laois got, however, and three more points for Wexford before the end saw them sneak home with the win.
Laois Minor Hurling Manager Pat Critchley has announced his starting 15 for Saturday's Electric Ireland Leinster MHC clash with Meath
1.Stephen Kelly - Rosenallis
2.Joe Geaney - Portlaoise
3.Conor Phelan - Castletown
4.Cillian McEvoy - Abbeyleix
5.Liam O'Connell - Rathdowney/Errill
6.Aaron Dunphy - Borris/Kilcotton
7.Lee Cleere - Clough/Ballacolla
8.Sean Downey - Ballinakill
9.Stephen Dunphy - Borris/Kilcotton
10. Stephen Phelan - Borris/Kilcotton
11.Martin Phelan - Castletown
12.Aaron Bergin -Portlaoise
13.Mark Kavanagh - Rathdowney/Errill
14.Robbie Phelan - Clough/Ballacolla
15.Andrew Mortimer - Camross
A few changes made from the last day and I'd expect a few positional switches on the day. If a forward is to be moved to centre back then Robbie Phelan would be the obvious choice, but it would be a pity to move him from our attack as he has such potential for scores.
Bizarre selection in my opinion, I will be shocked if the team lines out as as selected. If it is a dummy team I really don't see the point, especially against the likes of Meath.
I wouldn't think for a second that's a dummy team.
Aaron Dunphy has been tried fleetingly at 6 and but for injury, probably would have had a sustained run there before the Wexford game. There is an element of risk in dropping him back with no championship/serious experience but like the last day, he has two serious men beside him and he certainly has the ability to have a huge impact there!
I'd also disagree with dropping Robbie Phelan back as I thought he was our most dangerous forward last year. I'm glad to see him at 14 am he could do some serious damage there...
With all due respect to Meath we should be far too strong for them so playing Dunphy there tomorrow shouldn't pose that much of a risk.
Great they have a chance to redeem themselves and best of luck to all.
Best of luck to Laois today.
I fully expect them to blitz Meath and get their year back on track.
Comprehensive win for the minors it seems, 3-24 to 0-5 at the moment. Interesting to see that Wexford and Kilkenny went to extra time, with Kk winning by a point. Good win for Dublin over Offaly as well. Seems there's very little between Ls, Dub, Wex and Kk this year.
As we've already played Wexford I'm assuming it's us v Offaly in the quarter final which would be in Portlaoise?
They racked another 3 goals on which is good to see albeit against poor opposition. 6-26 last I heard. Yeh, we played Offaly in Tullamore last year. I assume the winners of Westmeath and Carlow will play Wexford. Is the draw already predetermined as to who plays Kilkenny or Dublin in semi finals?
O'Moore park has to be the venue vs Offaly by virtue of a home and away arrangement with our beloved neighbours .
Redsetanta, According to Leinster GAA website the semi finals are yet to be drawn.....
Like other posts, I wouldn't be reading too much into that game. I would 100% disagree with playing Aaron Dunphy at centre back. He is the most exciting prospect in the county and our best forward with ball in hand. He has the ability to destroy any full back and has a serious goal threat. Real top class forwards are hard to come by and cannot be manufactured. I think we have options for centre back but moving Aaron back there is a mistake. Anyway this team is back on track and hopefully they can fulfil there potential.
I don't really see that we have that many options for centre-back to be honest; plenty for the wing but with the possible exception of Conor Phelan, no natural 6. Dinny Cahill did ok against Wexford but he hurls a little from behind and doesn't dominate the way Aaron potentially could, Stephen Phelan would have regularly hurled there for B/K but he's doing very well further forward, Lee Cleere and Liam O' Connell are just born wing-backs and I don't really see any of the subs parachuting into such a crucial position.
I agree that Aaron is a loss from the forwards but we still have plenty of fire-power to give this Leinster championship a good rattle.
Liam O Connell played there last year, Lee Cleere would be well able, Conor Phelan, Stephen Phelan, Robbie Phelan and Dinny Cahill are other viable options. Personally I would put Stephen or Robbie there and leave the rest of the back line intact. While both Stephen and Robbie are good forwards they don't posess the same lethal threat that Aaron does. Either way that team will be hard bet.
I honestly believe we have the players and mgt to win Leinster and more but my doubt is our mentality and belief....
Even though it's an open draw for the semi final, should we beat Offaly the likely opponents will be Kilkenny as Wexford should beat Westmeath and they have already played the Cats.
On the belief thing I think these younglads will be ok in that department. They came very close to KK last year, hurled Wexford off the pitch for 30 mins and some of them have Leinster schools medals in their pockets. They just need to be told that they have the talent and skill and if they perform to their best they are a match for anyone.
It's a long time since a Laois hurling team at any level has been in their position so there is pressure on this set of younglads.
Felt a bit for Meath as we have been on the end of them scorelines down through the years...
The game will tell us nothing but these young lads can defo hurl and I fancy they could win this Leinster title yet...Mark Kavanagh is a fantastic player who would grace any county team!
Taken from CLG Laois facebook site:
Laois Minor Hurling Manager Pat Critchley has announced his starting 15 for Saturday's Electric Ireland Leinster MHC clash with Offaly in O'Moore Park at 3PM
http://laoisgaa.ie/taggedNe.../359091/.../minor_hurling_v_offaly
1. Stephen Kelly (Rosenallis)
2. Joe Geaney (Portlaoise)
3. Conor Phelan (Castletown)
4. Cillian McEvoy (St Lazerian's Abbeyleix)
5. Liam O'Connell (Rathdowney Errill)
6. Aaron Dunphy (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
7. Lee Cleere (Clough Ballacolla)
8. Sean Downey (Ballinakill)
9. Stephen Dunphy (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
10. Stephen Phelan (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
11. Martin Phelan (Castletown)
12. Aaron Bergin (Portlaoise)
13. Mark Kavanagh (Rathdowney Errill)
14. Robbie Phelan (Clough Ballacolla)
15. Eanna Lyons (Ballyfin)
Going to be a tough one again on Saturday I'd say. From what I've seen of the footage of the Dub v Offaly game it looks like their strongest line is matching up against what I'd perceive as our weakest, which is a worry. As is the fact that we don't seem to know our strongest starting 15 yet.
On the other side, there is no doubt that some of the young lads on this team have more potential than anything that has gone before them for quite some time. Saturday is a day I hope they show that potential, because no better county than Offaly to rain on our parade! We need a lift after last Sunday, here's hoping the minors provide it!
Offaly are very good apparently, havent seen them myself but they have a number of quality players from what I hear.
Hopefully the weather clears up and we get a good dry spell for this match, it should be a cracker. Laois have talent but talent wont be enough to win this match or any match from here on in. Laois hurling needs a win tomorrow.
The minors will have to score goals. They nearly got caught by Offaly last year but a high points tally saw them through. No goals against Wexford this year undid us.
It's all well and good goaling against the likes of Meath but we have to start doing it against the better teams if we are going to make an impact in this years championship.
If we get past Offaly I cannot see us beating the likes of KK or Dublin without scoring goals.
We have dismantled this Offaly team time and again over the years at this grade.
Hopefully the weather clears and if our full-back line hold up ok then I think we are the better team and should progress to a Leinster semi-final.
I misspoke above;
I meant this particular team have dismantled their equivalent Offaly team at other grades, U14/15/16...
It'll be a tough day for the lads tomorrow! Have a feeling it'll be a close one with the lads just pulling over the line. Mark Kav to show his class tomorrow
I wouldn't be surprised to see Offaly drop an extra man back into defence today,
If they do, I hope we have the composure to work the ball to the extra man in space as our half-back line are all excellent point-takers from distance...
Laois 3.15 - 1.13 Offaly
Laboured at times against pretty abysmal opposition but I think that's a sign of progress in itself.
Goals were from Stephen Phelan, Mark Kavanagh and Robbie Phelan.
Quote from: merman on May 08, 2015, 04:33:48 PM
We have dismantled this Offaly team time and again over the years at this grade.
Hopefully the weather clears and if our full-back line hold up ok then I think we are the better team and should progress to a Leinster semi-final.
i think beating poor offaly minor teams over the last 4 years has not stood to laois as they have no sliverware to show for it any year after beating offaly, if laois are just happy to beat offaly fair enough but if they want to progress they have to win leinsters like Dublin have over the last few years. there has been a few minors who have came on the scene for laois seniors the last two years, who are fine hurlers let me add, but there a world apart from hurling and winning minor matches again offaly and doing it at senior level in championship, ex, losing to Antrim last weekend who were beaten by kerry who sent them down to division 2 a few weeks earlier, laois need to at least win leinster this year or all the work underage will count for nothing in the coming years best of luck in the semils also great win for westmeath over wexford today.
First of all well done to the minors. When Offaly cut the lead to just two points with a very soft goal our lads showed great character to boss the game from there til the end.
I'd have serious worries however that we could let a genuine opportunity to win silverware with this group slip. A few weeks ago I questioned a positional switch that made absolutely no sense to me and after today it makes even less sense. The player in question is a really fine hurler but not a centre-back and needs to be returned to his natural habitat ASAP. Kevin O Rourke to full-back where he excelled with Mountrath CS and Conor Phelan to number 6 is one option. Another is Robbie Phelan to centre-back where I think he would dominate. For me this really is a critical issue and if it's not sorted I don't see us going any further. It also has to be questioned why Andrew Mortimer was not on from the start. I'm aware that form in training is important in picking any team and Pat and the lads have the birds eye view, but there was a sense of bewilderment at times today in the stand. A quiet word in the ear of a couple of players is needed too as there was some selfish hurling at times. I hate writing any of that as I have huge respect for any management team that puts in time for our county, but the reality is that we are 20 points better than that Offaly team and yet at one stage in the second half they were within two points of us. We won't have this level of talent to work with too often, and I'd hate to see an opportunity missed.
To finish on a positive note, there really are some super hurlers at this age group in the county! Lee Cleere probably impressed me the most, as all players had their good spells today but I thought Lee was outstanding throughout. Fonzy played a captains part when needed most and almost looks a man amongst chaps at times. We also have some hardy bucks in the forwards that are needed along side the more natural forwards.
I agree with every word you said and if those positions are not addressed, we will not be in contention at the end of the year and I can not understand our lack of fire, or is it our slow reaction, is it a Laois thing, I would give anything to see a Laois team drive into everything and everyone for the first ten minutes and the same tommorow, we seem to stroll through these games, was a little disappointed today if the opposition had been stronger it could have been so different.
Quote from: TheGreatGame on May 09, 2015, 06:39:14 PMKevin O Rourke to full-back where he excelled with Mountrath CS and Conor Phelan to number 6 is one option.
I think this would be an excellent option! Aaron must be moved back to full forward where he is so dangerous! Also Conor Phelan at 6 and Kevin O'Rourke at 3 where they both hurled exceptionally well for Mountrath CS and would be up to them positions at an inter county level!
Quote from: TheGreatGame on May 09, 2015, 06:39:14 PMIt also has to be questioned why Andrew Mortimer was not on from the start.
This is absolutely baffling! He's an outstanding hurler who has the talent to trouble any defence. He's a player I think we'll need from the start against the likes of Kilkenny or Dublin!
Just one last thing to add, although Robbie Phelan managed a superb 1-2 today, he needs to be moved out to the half forward line where he excelled in last years championship. Imagine him out at half forward and Aaron Dunphy back in at full forward, serious fire power there.
Young Dunphy is no centre back and struggled today. I wasn't impressed with our keeper either. Goal aside, as that can happen to the best of them, but his puckouts were very poor with some going directly out over the sideline and giving the possession back to Offaly. The passing wasn't crisp today either with alot of possession given away through sloppy passing.
O'Connell had a great game at 5 and cleared some amount of ball. No problems with either wing back. Thought young McEvoy did well in the corner too. Great point from Phelan at the end from under the stand and it was brilliant to put 3 goals away.
The minor championship is wide open this year and as the GreatGame said it would be an opportunity badly spurned if we don't take advantage of it.
On another note some win for Westmeath to get a win in Wexford Park.
As a Laois supporter you have to be happy to beat Offaly by such a a large margin playing poorly enough but if we as a county get what we expect from this panel of players in terms of a leinster title and beyond we need to improve and we need to integrate a confidence that is not bred into us .To beat either Dublin or Kilkenny we need to be on our game for 60 minutes +.
The players are there, the set up is there and I just hope the mentality is there. We are more than good enough to win this Leinster title.
It was clear yesterday that our CB position was in huge trouble and if we were playing stronger opposition we would have been in huge trouble. Its something that Zoom and co. will have to address urgently.
While Offaly were nipping our heels one felt that they didn't possess the necessary skills to overcome us and incredibly I thought Offaly were a very soft bunch yesterday - something I have never seen from an Offaly side that took to the field against Laois in the past at any level.
An interesting draw awaits us on Monday, and I hope to get Dublin and avoid Westmeath with Kilkenny the middle choice. It could be something of a novelty to see Laois V Westmeath in a Leinster Final!
We can't meet Westmeath.
Kilkenny and Dublin won their quarter-finals whereas ourselves and Westmeath came through the back-door.
Leinstergaa.ie have it very clearly explained on their website.
http://www.leinstergaa.ie/fixtures-results.10.html
Another option for the CB position would be bringing a fit Eric Kileeen back into the defence. He had pushed himself into the first 15 before the Meath game, played very well, albeit against negligible opposition, and would likely have started yesterday but for injury.
I'd agree with the praise for Lee Cleere and though I'd be reluctant to move a player who's on the very top of his game; I am coming to see that maybe he might be the best option for the centre-back role.
Does anyone know if Sean Downey came off because of an injury?
Have you stopped pretending to be from Laois on this site then, Townman?
Quote from: Thewildcat on May 09, 2015, 04:53:11 PM
i think beating poor offaly minor teams over the last 4 years has not stood to laois as they have no sliverware to show for it any year after beating offaly, if laois are just happy to beat offaly fair enough but if they want to progress they have to win leinsters like Dublin have over the last few years. there has been a few minors who have came on the scene for laois seniors the last two years, who are fine hurlers let me add, but there a world apart from hurling and winning minor matches again offaly and doing it at senior level in championship, ex, losing to Antrim last weekend who were beaten by kerry who sent them down to division 2 a few weeks earlier, laois need to at least win leinster this year or all the work underage will count for nothing in the coming years best of luck in the semils also great win for westmeath over wexford today.
Quote from: Plain of the Herbs on May 10, 2015, 10:17:58 PM
Have you stopped pretending to be from Laois on this site then, Townman?
Quote from: Thewildcat on May 09, 2015, 04:53:11 PM
i think beating poor offaly minor teams over the last 4 years has not stood to laois as they have no sliverware to show for it any year after beating offaly, if laois are just happy to beat offaly fair enough but if they want to progress they have to win leinsters like Dublin have over the last few years. there has been a few minors who have came on the scene for laois seniors the last two years, who are fine hurlers let me add, but there a world apart from hurling and winning minor matches again offaly and doing it at senior level in championship, ex, losing to Antrim last weekend who were beaten by kerry who sent them down to division 2 a few weeks earlier, laois need to at least win leinster this year or all the work underage will count for nothing in the coming years best of luck in the semils also great win for westmeath over wexford today.
stevie wonder would see from this post that i am not from laois you tool
Quote from: Thewildcat on May 11, 2015, 12:34:10 AM
Quote from: Plain of the Herbs on May 10, 2015, 10:17:58 PM
Have you stopped pretending to be from Laois on this site then, Townman?
Quote from: Thewildcat on May 09, 2015, 04:53:11 PM
i think beating poor offaly minor teams over the last 4 years has not stood to laois as they have no sliverware to show for it any year after beating offaly, if laois are just happy to beat offaly fair enough but if they want to progress they have to win leinsters like Dublin have over the last few years. there has been a few minors who have came on the scene for laois seniors the last two years, who are fine hurlers let me add, but there a world apart from hurling and winning minor matches again offaly and doing it at senior level in championship, ex, losing to Antrim last weekend who were beaten by kerry who sent them down to division 2 a few weeks earlier, laois need to at least win leinster this year or all the work underage will count for nothing in the coming years best of luck in the semils also great win for westmeath over wexford today.
stevie wonder would see from this post that i am not from laois you tool
Your profile says you're from Camross, Laois.
I think I understand the general tone of the posts on here. Most people seem to be saying that we have a good team and it's important to make the best of them. And that's fair enough.
At the same time, I think the tone here is a bit disrespectful of Pat Critchley and the other mentors. These good players didn't just fall out of the sky. While nature might throw a few excellent natural hurlers our way every now and then, a county our size doesn't tend to get enough of them at the same time to genuinely challenge for silverware. The fact that they are there now is a credit to all of the people who have dedicated a lot of time and effort to developing them.
I'm not living in the county and I don't get to see these lads playing very often but I was really impressed with the team. I don't think Offaly were abysmal but we made them look average. It's true that we let them back into it a few times with a few individual mistakes but generally we were a far better than them. Although I haven't seen all that much hurling over the last few years, the ball skills and intelligence that they hurled with was better than anything I've seen for a long time. Despite what the earlier poster was saying, I think beating Offaly is always an achievement but I'm sure the team are not content with that and will want to push on from there.
I reckon it'll take a good team to beat these lads and I hope they keep up whatever it is they're doing!!
That's a fair post Giovanni. Pat, Cheddar and a good few more people have given an awful lot to get our under age structures to the point where we are regularly making Leinster semi-finals. In fact they have probably saved Laois hurling from obscurity. I can recall a Laois minor team about 10 years ago losing to Offaly by 27 points in the championship. That team had a number of lads that are currently on the senior team and panel, so they had some good individual players, but the overall standard was shocking. We've come a long way from then and that should be remembered and credit given where it's due.
However, we will never be Kilkenny or Tipp. who have the pick to put out really competitive teams every year. Even with our underage structures in a good place there will be years where the talent just isn't there and this makes it all the more important to do well when we have a good crop. Not only do we have a good crop this year but there doesn't appear to be any one outstanding team in Leinster. We have a huge opportunity here and at times on Saturday you could sense a panic amongst the Laois support that we could actually lose a game where we were blatantly the stronger team.
This is a very important month or two for Laois hurling. On the senior thread a poster questioned the tone of one of merman's posts (always a very fair forum member) and stated the pressure the players are under. That same pressure is there for every team trying to make a breakthrough and I very much doubt the musings of randomers on a forum have much to do with it. The seniors not making it out of the group stages and the minors not making the semi's is nearly unthinkable but it wasn't far from happening, and in both case the management would have had to shoulder most of the blame. I've every faith they will learn from their mistakes, but they need to or this could become annus horribilis for Laois.
Some great points made but we need to guard against short memory syndrome.
The quality of Laois underage hurlers is immeasurably better in recent years. Yes we should be hungry for more but the most important thing we need to do is feed 3-4 top class hurlers a year into the senior system. Counties like Waterford have been doing that for years successfully without winning a tonne of underage all-irelands. Our seniors struggle for strength and depth (take the full back line for instance - there is no top class backup to support John A, Cahir and Butch). It would be great to win silverware but for me it is all about building characters and skillful hurlers for future senior intercounty hurling and the evidence is very strong in that regard. The average quality is rising and we need to support the likes of Critchley and Cheddar as their contributions have been immense. I agree that Cheddar shouldn't try to sit back and defend when we are totally on top and that Pat needs to solve some positional weaknesses with the Minors but I for one hope that we have their services for coming years and that they keep building hurling in Laois - we owe them a lot.
Beating Offaly 4 years running is some feat - we should be very positive about it. If we beat their Seniors the same way it would definitely be seen as progress.
Exactly The Great Game - I had a few choice words myself, but it's not to have a go at any current manager, it's out of pure concern. We all want the best for Laois hurling and it can be so so frustrating to know that Cheddar and Zoom have had these lads flying high in the past year or two - so we know that it is in the tank... we just want to see the best possible Laois performance each match day. If we meet a better team, which we will at some stage - so be it, but at least deploy the players into the correct positions and stop employing negative tactics.
Anyways, I wonder who we get in the draw tonight...?
Kilkenny it is.
Well at least there will be no fear of taking the opposition for granted.....
Nowlan Park June 20th. Definately no fear of complacency. They really need to be hungrier for the ball than last year. Every 50/50 has to be fought for like it was the last and put KK on the back foot from the off. Wexford took them to extra time and were unlucky to lose. We totally outclassed Wexford in the opening half but 2 badly conceded goals done us. Its definately within these lads to beat KK if they believe they can do it.
This is where we want to be, challenging top teams in their home ground and in with a very justifiable claim of victory.This Laois team has to potential to be top class and beating KK is well withing our grasp.
Nowlan Park is down for two games on June 20th so there's every possibility that the minor match will precede the Leinster Championship semi-final between Kilkenny and Wexford or the Group runners-up.
I just noted that the senior match is already arranged for 2pm (maybe Sky are showing it) so we could be looking at a noon start.
Merman that senior game is on Sunday June 21st @ 2pm. Dublin/Galway v Group/Offaly is on the 20th @ 2pm.
So these lads are out again Sunday against the only team to have beaten Laois in Leinster at this age group in the last 2 years (I think). Seems like a very tough ask, but judging how close Wexford came to them, Laois should be well able for it. Anyone hear how they're getting on or if they've played any challenge games in the last month?
They beat Tipp away not so long ago I believe.
21st JUNE 2015
LEINSTER M.H.C. Semi/Final
KILKENNNY V LAOIS
12.00 Noon
NOWLAN PARK, KILKENNY
1. Stephen Kelly (Rosenallis)
2. Joe Geaney (Portlaoise)
3. Conor Phelan (Castletown)
4. David Connolly (Ballyfin)
5. Liam O'Connell (Rathdowney Errill)
6. Denis Cahill (Park Ratheniska)
7. Lee Cleere (Clough Ballacolla)
8. Seán Downey (Ballinakill)
9. Stephen Dunphy (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
10. Stephen Phelan (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
11. Martin Phelan (Castletown)
12. Aaron Bergin (Portlaoise)
13. Mark Kavanagh (Rathdowney Errill)
14. Robbie Phelan (Clough Ballacolla)
15. Aaron Dunphy (Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton)
Team named for Sunday throw at the strange throw in time of 12 o clock.
David Connolly starts at 4 and will bring speed to the area.
Aaron Dunphy has been released from his sentence at centre back and will quality to the forward line. Dinny Cahill is not a natural centre back with the obvious choice to swap himself and Conor Phelan at 3 and 6 and a swift change if things arnt working here should suffice. In Cleere and o Connell we have 2 of the best young minors in the country who I just hope can improve their delivery to the forwards
Massive potential in this team and definitely have the hurlers to get a win here however concentration will be key. Fall asleep for 15 minutes like we did against Offaly and we will be buried. I hope the sideline are quick to rectify scenarios if things are going against us unlike the Offaly match. Quality of ball into our forwards has to improve and performances like Downey at midfield and Phelan at centre forward cannot be tolerated for 50 - 55 minutes as they were in the quarter final.
We could be looking at a Leinster final if we get one hell of a performance and I just have the feeling we may sneak it.
Agree with Jimmy , I think we will sneak it.
This team has something about them, if they can get over the mental edge KK will have of playing at home I think we will win .
are you mad portlaoisekid its not offaly they are hurling today.
kilkenny 2-18 laois 0-11, as like the senior portlaoisekid the likes of laois offaly carlow westmeath are miles behind the big guns laois have beaten offaly the last last 4 years in a row but no one else.
Well, they did beat Wexford in 2013. Or are they not a big gun any more?
However, extremely disappointing minor result, and you're right - they just can't beat Kilkenny...
its not just kilkenny, yes there is great work going on in underage in laois, but they need a minor or under 21 leinster win to kick start it, Dublin won the under 21 in was 07 or 08, a few minor titles came then seniors league title and leinster championship title, offaly now have to start at the bottom and work again the 1978 leinster win over laois who let me add had a fine team that time and would walk on to todays side the minors of 1986-89 came the 90's team, and won't be back till some other underage side take a title or two.
Dinny Cahill's injury, Kavanagh's broken fingers and another player whose name escapes me had a cut hand today from an injury yesterday. It seems we have no luck.
Unfortunately you make your own luck and we were never in the position to make it.
In both halves our half forward line simply could not win any possession. Bergin from Portlaoise was trying to take puck outs down with his hurl... on his hurl FFS in Nowlan Park of all places. We looked ill prepared again for a team that could actually hurl on the move. Striking was poor across the board and decision making was terrible. Not one lad performed as they can. Full back line did reasonably well considering the space allowed in front of them for balls to be placed.
As much as it hurts to admit you would have to agree with some of Wildcats sentiments. For all our apparent advances at underage levels we still haven't beaten a Kilkenny as of yet. For me they are the benchmark at underage level. Critchely has done a wonderful job implementing the setanta and Cuchulain programme but perhaps he has taken the minor group for one year too long and needs to let fresh blood in at this level. As far as I'm aware Lee Cleere, David Connolly the two Dunphys, Robbie Phelan and Stephen Phelan are under-age next year so on this basis the spine of next years minors should be strong. A new voice and fresh ideas is what may be required to drive us to that elusive first Leinster win
Critchely gave the impression that he would step away from the minors during his post match interview.
So I heard. Right thing to do IMO
Quote from: redsetanta on June 22, 2015, 09:54:01 AM
Critchely gave the impression that he would step away from the minors during his post match interview.
Been flagged for a while, he is moving back down to the Setanta program to give that another push. Fair play to him, he is some man for what he gives to Laois Hurling.
In fairness to him he only stepped up to the minors when Cheddar got the senior job. He is a very important figure for Laois hurling and it's great to see him back with the younger lads. He would probably get more satisfaction there anyhow.
I think it is fantastic that he is stepping back down the chain - for the benefit of the future.
He and will have learned a lot about the deficiencies we showed yesterday (unable to compete at the top level for primary possession, losing the physical confrontations around the middle third and poor return at the 'breakdown' to use a rugby term). Much has improved, there is no doubt whatever of that and we are still producing at least 2-3 hurlers a year that will go on to become good seniors. However, we MUST learn from days like yesterday in order to avoid them in the future.
Notably, the same issues we had at minor yesterday were obvious in the senior game (totally outmuscled and out hurled in the breakdown) and also in the Waterford game last year. I remember a few years ago Galway put a huge emphasis in developing more physically competitive hurlers that can compete for dirty ball and Waterford have done the same. The results are obvious. No point having nice hurlers if they can't get near the ball.
Laois minor manager Pat Critchley on their loss to Kilkenny
https://soundcloud.com/midlandssport/pat-critchley-post-kilkenny (https://soundcloud.com/midlandssport/pat-critchley-post-kilkenny)
Feel sorry for the team and for Pat they didn't hurl like they can on the day .
Glad he is staying involved a great Laois GAA man
And at the moment in both codes we need men like Pat to stay involved
I'd agree with a lot of what was said in the previous posts, firstly Pat Critchley owes nothing to Laois hurling, he and cheddar are the sole reason for the renewed optimism in Laois hurling over the past two years. At this stage, I think the best thing for the progression of Laois hurling is that Pat moves back down to setanta and development squad level.
At the moment we are not good enough to contest finals at the highest level as was obvious this yr with our minors, under 21s and seniors. I believe that we need to really drive the setanta and chucullan programmes along with the development squads over the next few years. This thing is going to take time but if we stay working at it we will get there. The reason I'm happy to hear Critchley is movin back to help out underage is because while everyone raves about our underage structures I think there is a lot of scope to improvement. The profile of hurling in Laois has lifted by seismic proportions compared to 3 or 4 years ago without our hurlers really creating big headlines (i.e beating know, tipp or cork). The friends of laois hurling group has been a great success along with other initiatives and it puts hurling in the minds of Laois people.
As regards this years minor team, I was very disappointed with the result on Sunday, I honestly believe that team were capable of so much more and as can happen with minors it just wasn't their day, I've no doubt some of them will become top hurlers for laois in the future.
To my mind, there are a lot of these guys underage next year and hopefully we'll have our day against kk... Joe Geaney, David Connolly, Cillian McEvoy, Eric Kileen, Lee Cleere, Stephen Dunphy, Stephen Phelan, Aaron Bergin, Aaron Dunphy, Robbie Phelan...that's ten guys so surely we will be able to add a few more of good quality.
cant see Pat stepping down just yet. there is a possibility that this is being said too often now, but, i do think next year could be the year and Pat knows it. i think 10 of that team are underage next year as mentioned above. after all his time and effort, he should stick with them for 1 more year.
Looks like there was a cracking game of hurling in the minor championship quarter final between C/B and B/K with C/B winning by 1 point after extra time on a scoreline of 4-26 to 6-19.
Apparently this was CB's first minor win of any description in 4 years.
This will be the first time in 8 years that BK will not contest a minor final.
Portlaoise also beat The Harps Gaels (3.16-2.15) and Castletown/SB turned over the
League champions Abbeyleix (2.15-0.17).
Can't understand why this grade is ran off as a straight knockout. There really should be a back-door like the other championships.
It's more of these type of games we need not less.
Yes, but - this old chestnut again - would back doors produce 'more of these type of games'?
Mind you, the minor B has had group stages, and there's plenty of valid arguments why young lads should have more meaningful games, too.
Quote from: burdizzo on August 11, 2015, 09:39:31 PM
Yes, but - this old chestnut again - would back doors produce 'more of these type of games'?
Mind you, the minor B has had group stages, and there's plenty of valid arguments why young lads should have more meaningful games, too.
Particularly from next year when under 17's can't play in the adult grades.
Particularly from next year when under 17's can't play in the adult grades.
[/quote]
im hearing there will be a vote this year whether to do away with the minor grade next year and have U17 instead, its to do with the above mentioned rule coming in next year. they will also be voting to move U16 to U15 and U14 to U13.
maybe thats a load of shite, dont know, its just what i heard.
dont know if id be in favour of it though...
thoughts??
1) This new rule change was ridiculous and a step too far. To stop U17s playing adult was unnecessary in my opinion.
2) However, now that it is done, the only option is to scrap U18 and make it U17. As it stands those who are over 16 and u17 in Laois in 2016 will play 3/4 minor league games and possibly 1 minor championship game. Playing a more extensive league is going to be very difficult as it would need to work around the U16 leagues, all of the clubs adult teams (remember there will those over 17 and under 18 involved too), schools games and the county minors.
It will be a disaster.
The only option is to scrap minor and make it U17. Therefore games could be fixed without the worry of cross over between a club's adult teams.
I have no problem with the supposed intention to "mind" players of a younger age. But this particular initiative will totally stunt the development of your average 17 year old hurler who is not on the county minor panel. He will get minimum training, a handful of games, and will be given minimal chance to improve at what is such a vital age grade.
It might sound dramatic but this is a crisis about to unfold and I feel extremely sorry for those about to graduate from U16 level.
Actually i never even thought of the county set up!
Hows that going to work?! Is this new U17 rule just in Laois or across the board?
Another thing i thought of is, going from U17 to U21 level is also going to be a bit of a jump for some. Big difference in those age groups.
Its across the board.
I'd imagine that it's totally unrealistic to think that the age old tradition of minor championships being U18 is going to be changed in the next 3/4 months.
Final is this Saturday between Portlaoise and Castletown/Slieve Bloom. Who would be expected to prevail?
Isn't this the "all conquering" Portlaoise team for 4/5 years ago or am I a year out?
Portlaoise will probably just start as favourites and have a nice balanced team. They have a nice bit of size down the spine of their team and some lightening speed in their forwards and midfield.
I was a little surprised that C/SB lost to Na Fianna in the U16 last week as I know they would have a sprinkling of very talented but very young hurlers on this minor team.
Hopefully we'll have a good final; a fitting conclusion to what seems to have been a good championship.
Wasn't at the game but I see it ended in a draw.
Anyone have a report on the match?
Fantastic gutsy display by Castletown/Slieve Bloom v Portlaoise yesterday in an exciting game of a decent standard.
That was a pretty all conquering 'town' team up along the grades but I suppose size and physical strength is a less significant factor as you get older.
Some of CSB's younger lads have fantastic talent.
Great move by Pat to go back to developing the younger groups but the candidates I have heard that are being put forward for the minor position are of a very poor managerial standard IMO. We cannot afford to mess around with these young lads.
Just out of curiosity and not being overly critical what evidence is there of Pat's excellent managerial ability?
Is he slightly over rated in terms of management ability?
I'm not questioning his interests, intentions, work ethic, honesty or anything like that. But to be honest it seemed like the Minor job was his for as long as he wanted it.
I felt some of the minor selections and positioning in the past 12-18 months were particularly bizarre. I'm not going to go into names or anything it would be dreadfully unfair on young lads.
I have no personal axe to grind with Pat, but I do think his managerial achievements/ability are a little over rated.
Who are the potential replacements? I had heard Arien Delaney (which surely would be a decent appointment?)
Arien Delaney would definitely be a good man to have involved with the minors. Plenty of passion and knows how to organize a team (e.g. Camross in the county final this year).
Pat Critchley is worth his weight in gold. Hope he stays involved for as long as he possibly can. Great that he is going back to the development squads which is where the most work is done and needed.
Quote from: Keyser Söze on October 17, 2015, 01:30:47 PM
Just out of curiosity and not being overly critical what evidence is there of Pat's excellent managerial ability?
Is he slightly over rated in terms of management ability?
I'm not questioning his interests, intentions, work ethic, honesty or anything like that. But to be honest it seemed like the Minor job was his for as long as he wanted it.
I felt some of the minor selections and positioning in the past 12-18 months were particularly bizarre. I'm not going to go into names or anything it would be dreadfully unfair on young lads.
I have no personal axe to grind with Pat, but I do think his managerial achievements/ability are a little over rated.
Who are the potential replacements? I had heard Arien Delaney (which surely would be a decent appointment?)
kind of agree here, again, no real issue with Pat, but the year before last we definitely should have beat KK in portlaosie and didnt. not sure if hes all that...
i think there is another issue in that we dont have loads of good options to replace him? also, i have never coached an intercounty side but i imagine it is a bit more daunting/difficult to do as opposed to doing a job within your own club.
Arien Delaney has been a great manager for Camross, he would know Camross and knows what makes them tick very well, not sure if he would have the same impact at intercounty.
but i could be wrong!
Tony Doran was mentioned i believe. seems to have done well with BK minors and got us to an U21 leinster final when he was over the Laois U21s couple of years ago. but there always seems to be a few moaning about him for one reason or another. Justin Kavanagh from RE was another name mentioned but again, could all be just rumors.
Any word on who got management position for the minors? Seems to be taking a long time considering they were training about this time last year
Quote from: LOVEGAA on October 20, 2015, 09:42:10 AM
Any word on who got management position for the minors? Seems to be taking a long time considering they were training about this time last year
It was pure madness having them back training so early: especially at 16-17 years. Hardly any good for their mental health at such a young age, let alone introduction to player burnout. By the time Kilkenny match came around this year I bet you they were sick of it and fatigued.
Mind you I heard the u16 management moving up to minor possibly on the cards for 2016. Other posters will be able to tell you their names I imagine.
I agree it was too early...... didnt stand to them against kilkenny anyway. Between club and county its a big commitment for this age group and very hard to keep high level of intensity going for that long.