This weekend's losses to Wicklow (Tailteann Cup) and Kildare (Joe McDonagh Cup) seem to have unduly upset some posters on this boards. These results did nor register on my Richter Scale of disappointments in my years following Laois.
Aughrim in 1986 was by far the most sickening.
1981 Leinster SHC Semi-Final loss to Offaly – Padraig Horan scored a goal through the side netting and Paddy Kirwan scored the winner from 100 yards after Laois centre-back John Delaney was harshly penalised for charging with Laois on the attack. Offaly went on to win their 1st All-Irleand.
1981 Leinster SFC Final loss to Offaly after beating the Dubs in Tullamore.
1985 Leinster SHC Final loss to Offaly – an element of stage fright plus Offaly's experience.
1985 Leinster SFC Final loss to Dublin on a wet day in Croker. I remember the headline on Con Houlihan's column in Evening Press the following day – "The gang that couldn't shoot straight".
If only Curly had been onboard that day.
1991 Leinster SFC Final loss to Meath – unlucky to be reduced to 14 men.
1992 Leinster SFC Semi-Final loss to Louth after beating Meath in Navan – Hughie Emerson's brilliant debut.
1999 Leinster SFC Semi-Final loss to Dublin – Ian Robertson's equalized for the Dubs in the drawn match after picking the ball off the ground.
2004 Leinster SFC Final loss to Westmeath
2005 Leinster SFC Final loss to Dublin
2007 All-Ireland U21 Football Final loss to Cork
There were many more disappointments down the years but one never loses the faith.
We have had some great days too
• The hurlers of the early eighties
• 1986 NFL title
• All-Ireland Minor Football Champions 1996, 1997, 2003
• Leinster Senior Football Champions 2003
Plus the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2019 and many other days in football and hurling where our lads did us proud.
Aughrim in 1986 was by far the most sickening.
1981 Leinster SHC Semi-Final loss to Offaly – Padraig Horan scored a goal through the side netting and Paddy Kirwan scored the winner from 100 yards after Laois centre-back John Delaney was harshly penalised for charging with Laois on the attack. Offaly went on to win their 1st All-Irleand.
1981 Leinster SFC Final loss to Offaly after beating the Dubs in Tullamore.
1985 Leinster SHC Final loss to Offaly – an element of stage fright plus Offaly's experience.
1985 Leinster SFC Final loss to Dublin on a wet day in Croker. I remember the headline on Con Houlihan's column in Evening Press the following day – "The gang that couldn't shoot straight".
If only Curly had been onboard that day.
1991 Leinster SFC Final loss to Meath – unlucky to be reduced to 14 men.
1992 Leinster SFC Semi-Final loss to Louth after beating Meath in Navan – Hughie Emerson's brilliant debut.
1999 Leinster SFC Semi-Final loss to Dublin – Ian Robertson's equalized for the Dubs in the drawn match after picking the ball off the ground.
2004 Leinster SFC Final loss to Westmeath
2005 Leinster SFC Final loss to Dublin
2007 All-Ireland U21 Football Final loss to Cork
There were many more disappointments down the years but one never loses the faith.
We have had some great days too
• The hurlers of the early eighties
• 1986 NFL title
• All-Ireland Minor Football Champions 1996, 1997, 2003
• Leinster Senior Football Champions 2003
Plus the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2019 and many other days in football and hurling where our lads did us proud.