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Because ANYONE with a decent management team should be able to rise above the bottom 6 in the country. The bottom 6 in the country don't take football seriously. Their training regimes are not serious. Their motivation levels are on the floor. ANY team that is properly trained and reasonably motivated should rise above that (as Leitrim showed this year with a new competent manager) despite the tiniest of resources. Wicklow also got out of it with a new competent manager. Getting out of the bottom 6 is really not a difficult bar to overcome. If we're in the bottom 6, it means that our group are not being serious and if that is so, we need to change the manager.

I don't know whether your point about poor administration in Laois is right or not but that is certainly not the reason for the change in fortunes in Louth and Derry. The population of Louth and Derry is pretty much the same now as it was when they were in the lower divisions and the club structure in those counties was roughly the same too. The only thing that really changed was the manager. Laois should never be one of the 6 worst teams in the country, even at times when the crop of players is not the very best.

Why is it laughable?

The reality of the situation is that we have a manager who is clueless. A manager who has no plan and no rapport with the players. We have forwards who are well above Division 4 standard. I have no doubt at all that Sugrue would have had us up this year.

That's simply not true. At least 4 of our forward line - O Carroll, Barry, Lowry and Kingston - are very well capable of playing at a high level. Only a few years ago, Derry was languishing in Division 4. Now they're beating Dublin. We also see the difference good management has made in Louth.

Having said that, of course, huge work is needed from the ground up. Maybe someone might go talking to Karl Lacey?

U-20s seem to have done well in Cork

https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41069384.html

I would also be happy enough with the showing against Waterford (although we probably shouldn't underestimate the importance of the extra man, which Laois used very well). I also thought that the ref was poor. Waterford were given at least 6-8 frees that he wasn't giving to Laois - the Waterford full-back line were persistently fouling all game and they were allowed to get away with it.

Still, I think it has to be said that the defence was opened up quite easily in the second half so that might need some work. I would also say that some of the forwards need to work harder (which would also help the defence). The big name players in particular need to provide a better example for the younger ones coming through.

Was glad to see Martin Phelan getting more into it as the match went on. He had a poor night in Tipp and didn't start well here either. But, fair play to him, he got into the game quite well after the first 20-35 minutes and really made every possession count. Good to see that attitude in the squad.

I haven't seen them for a while but I thought they did well. Defending was good and kick passing was better than it's been for a long time. The main criticism I would have is that they should have managed the game a bit better, especially in the first half against the wind. Having gone into a 5-6 point lead against the wind, it was begging for someone to slow down the game, get injured, just hold onto possession for a while. We didn't and it was a draw match by half time. But generally, I think it was a good performance and the instincts and skills were good.

Don't know what's going on behind the scenes but I don't think that affected the outcome of the game on Saturday night. The level of athleticism in that Tipperary team was just incredible. I was one of those who thought we'd give them a game, thinking that Tipp were in transition. I don't know whether they can improve their conditioning further but if they can and sharpen their shooting a bit, they must be serious contenders for the All Ireland this year. Our lads actually didn't play too badly but the task was just too much this time. For us, I thought Rowlands puckouts were really excellent, Podge, Jack Kelly and Hartnett were good in the backs. The two Keyes did well and PJ Scully had some good moments but otherwise the forwards were completely choked.

Good team and a very strong bench. If lads can put in a big shift for 50 minutes the oncoming subs won't weaken the team in any way. I'd be very happy with that. I'd be happier to see Podge in the half back line but I can understand why he's back there. Looking forward to it.

Hard to fathom from a games development perspective. Would there be an issue about having to split the gate?

Slightly disappointed? You'll never please some people, it's hilarious  .

6 point away win against the favourites to win the division. It was a very solid performance and great foundation to work on. Don't forget where we are in 2023. This isn't 2003.

I'm delighted with that performance, for the first proper match of the year. Sure, stuff to work on and we'll be well off any team in the first 2 divisions but we're trying hard and we have to be realistic.

Getting promoted and haveing a decent run in the Tailteann would be a very good, positive year. Have to be realistic.

This is a bit harsh on Spiritof86. From my point of view, he was trying to look beyond the result, which of course was excellent. I think it's right that we should look beyond the result, both when we win and lose. It's possible to win a game and not have a great performance and to lose a game and be very good indeed. Generally, our reactions are much too aligned with the result rather than the performance and this is not very helpful to anyone, particularly in our situation.

Thanks a million.

It does sound like it's a job for a person who can motivate people to get involved and to upskill. Not an easy job in fairness.

Pardon my ignorance but what exactly is the role of the coaching officer?

What income is generated from coaching and games development?