Round 1 of Tailteann Cup next Sunday and Westmeath's captain reckons that they could go all the way :
https://hoganstand.com/Article/Index/323622 (https://hoganstand.com/Article/Index/323622)
What are the chances of our lads softening his cough ?
After such a long break since our last game, hopefully Billy the the management team have found a way of hitting the re-set button and we see a reinvigorated Laois side on Sunday. Having the Kingstons back playing will give a boost of confidence to the team as well. Had we had to play a week or two after the Wicklow loss I wouldn't have expected much. However, having brought in a number of younger players to add a bit of freshness and competition for places in the last couple of weeks in training, let's hope it has the desired effect.
I just hope the players show some pride and give Westmeath a good rattle. I hope management have a better structure and gameplan in place.
Anyone want to hazard a guess on the team? Westmeath after Cavan are probably favourites to win it out so wouldn't be throwing in all the young lads but would be nice to see some pace added to the team
Very difficult to predict the team I think.
Bolger will be back in goals as Byron is out injured.
Presume Timmons, Mohan, Dillon and Collins will be starters. I hear Adam Campion is going well in training and challenge games.
Probably O'Flynn and Lillis midfield although Daly or Finn deserve a chance.
Hopefully both Kingstons are fully fit in attack. O'Carroll, Barry, Lowry probably all there or thereabouts.
It would be good to see a few of the under 20's getting some game time. Not much to lose in a game that means so little!
Hoping for a half decent enough crowd Sunday . Football needs a lift in the county .
Expect a few changes going by the challenge match's against Clare and Leitrim .
Bolger or Gorman in goals .
Full back line picks itself . Looks like paddy O'Sullivan will be back centre back and O'Flynn and Kavanagh either side . Danny O'Reilly midfield with either Lillis or Finn . Two Kingstons and can see Kevin Swayne starting too . He's looks to be going well . Evan , Barry and Lowry should start aswell.
John O'Loughlin has been starting in the forwards in recent challenge games so we'll see what happens .
Does winning Tailteann Cup give you an automatic All Ireland Place next year (Like Europa League?)
The winner of the 2022 Tailteann Cup will be guaranteed a place in the 2023 Sam Maguire Competition
Seven changes from Wicklow game . Like the team . Nice bit of balance to it . Looking forward to seeing how Swayne, Heffernan and Greene perform . Paddy O back CB makes sense . Best of luck lads
Best of luck to the lads. Big ask against the team I think are the one to beat.
We have some good kick-passers in finn and the Kingstons. You'd love to see Evan get good ball close to goal if we can isolate him in there 1 on 1.
Poor enough game in the end. Both sides lacking quality.
The game was definietely there for the winning but we shot ourselves in the foot so many times.
Disappointing to see such a small crowd but I suppose we would have expected that.
Surely the end of Ross after today. A mighty servant to Laois football.
We looked to the bench to win a game to Ross ,liliis,and jol,all slow older players there time is done and have been great servants time to get someone in to get the best players playing for Laois too many of them in the stand today unfortunately
I wonder will there be retirements? Will there be management changes?
'Too many of them in the stand'
Who was sitting in the stand that should have been playing?
Even though we were not the better team yesterday, we could have won that game. Unforced errors killed us. As well as that, about mid way through the second half, we needed an injection of pace into the forward line. Unfortunately, that pace wasn't available on the subs bench yesterday. Instead, we resorted to lads who, although they have given their all to Laois in the pasture, are now over the hill. Poor management, I'm afraid.
"I've spoken at length with my players about not competing in the Leinster SFC next year. In terms of importance, it's down the list."
https://t.co/f879FUlkhL
Billy O'Loughlin talks a lot of sense regarding the pointlessness of the Leinster Championship.
Although we were knocked out early this year, an extended Tailteann Cup provides Laois with a competition in which we can compete with counties closer to our level.
It provides us, if we were to organise ourselves propetly, with a realistic opportunity of winning a national competition.
It, and the national league, are the future for the likes of Laois.
Quote from: redsetanta on May 30, 2022, 09:57:25 AM
'Too many of them in the stand'
Who was sitting in the stand that should have been playing?
It's probably not fair to name lads but the dogs in the street know that a huge number of players turned down the offer to join the senior panel this year.
I certainly saw a few of them attending games this year. But each lad may well have had his own reasons.
Let's hope we see a few more of them back in the squad next year.
Quote from: Heshs Umpire on May 31, 2022, 04:53:21 PM
Quote from: redsetanta on May 30, 2022, 09:57:25 AM
'Too many of them in the stand'
Who was sitting in the stand that should have been playing?
It's probably not fair to name lads but the dogs in the street know that a huge number of players turned down the offer to join the senior panel this year.
I certainly saw a few of them attending games this year. But each lad may well have had his own reasons.
Let's hope we see a few more of them back in the squad next year.
I would hope that the prospect of competing in an extended summer competition which we have a realistic hope of winning, would make the prospect of playing with the county team more appealing to players.
I think it's a major pity that the GAA didn't have the foresight to play double headers for the Tailteann Cup, it would have at least bumped up attendances and created more of an atmosphere at the games.
Or even play some of the games before a provincial final/All Ireland quarters/semi/final etc, the players would feed off that.
Even go completely left wing and have a game on before a Hurling match, do whatever is necessary to drum up greater interest.
A few quick points as another inter county season ends for Laois. No more competitive action until the National league in 8 months at the end of January.
On the game itself. Didn't know what to expect in the new Tailteann cup but the hope was to be somewhat competetive against Westmeath after what happened against Wicklow in Aughrim and also after getting walloped by Westmeath in Tullamore last years Leinster quater final.
Was impressed on Sunday. Only about 600 at the game but a bit of bite about it. We responded well to Aughrim. Good hunger was shown. Evan O'Carroll just went for it and on another day could have had 2 early goals. Big Donie made such a difference and Paul Kingston was sharp as he was against Wicklow when he came on in 2nd half.
We were well in the game even before their sending off. But we hit a purple patch after the sending off with some wonderful scores and again in the early part of the 2nd half. We looked good for victory when going 10-7 up. Our defense was much tighter, Paddy O'Sullivan was good at centre back and our new under 20 lads did very well especially Sean Greene, he was literally everywhere on the park. Great penalty save as well by Bolger.
We can build for the future. The under 20s ran Kildare to 2 points and they ended up in an All Ireland final. The key if possible is to have a settled, consistent panel for 3/4 years to build something. That is what Limerick have done and look how far Derry have come! We beat them 3 years ago in a qualifier up in Owenbeg.
Finally, a huge thank you to both John O'Loughlin and Colm Begley. 2 great servants to Laois football.
Good post.
Have to say the 8 month break is a bit annoying.
Any word on our senior football manager is he staying or going?
Signs are he's staying for another year .
Tommy Mulligan added to Laois backroom set up along with Chris Conway and Gerry McGill.
Tom Hargroves who has been recently appointed to a full-time Laois GAA role as Head of Athletic Development Is also involved .
Quote from: Spiritof86 on October 17, 2022, 01:44:22 PM
Tommy Mulligan added to Laois backroom set up along with Chris Conway and Gerry McGill.
Tom Hargroves who has been recently appointed to a full-time Laois GAA role as Head of Athletic Development Is also involved .
What a disaster . More dinosaurs
Tom Hargreaves with an interesting and very important role. Great to have full time positions for such a role. Anyone know if this covers all the development squads of both codes?