Quote from: Laois Rising on February 29, 2024, 03:52:43 PMQuote from: Joeythelips on February 28, 2024, 04:59:25 PMLooks like some talent coming through the schools system which is nice to See, Knockbeg, Portlaoise CBS and Mountmellick did well this year.
I would say its a positive improvement but the reality is that Portlaoise CBS with the attachment area and numbers available to them should be able to do what Naas are now achieving. Obviously it would take a lot of time, dedication and effort and plenty of support from Laois GAA to get Portlaoise CBS to that standard as they have fallen back massively in the last decade. .
Knockbeg are a strong Leinster A standard side without ever getting making a final. They are always just that rung below the team that eventually wins it (Naas CBS for the last 5-6 years). I think it was 2007 and the team of Donie Kingston that they last appeared in a final.
In the last ten years, three different Westmeath schools, two Offaly schools and two Wexford schools have all managed to make finals. Laois GAA should really start putting more work into supporting our GAA schools-it is having a very positive impact in both Westmeath and Offaly at underage level and now at senior level as well (U20 All-Ireland success for Offaly and a very good Leinster championship run in 2023 and Westmeath making very good progress over the last couple of years with Tailteann Cup success, excellent league campaigns and were hugely competitive in last year's All-Ireland series). Players are filtering through the system with a confidence and a winning mentality and doing well at schools level all plays an important part in this.
Wexford is a different case in that many of those players who lead the schools team are hurling first and football second players. However, there is talent in Wexford if they can get the buy in. With a little more luck (Leitrim game) they would be well in the running to join Laois in promotion from division 4 this year.
Good post LR. I agree its an obvious place to out resources into as you can get a team for schools training and playing to a high standard which should in turn help raise standards of club championships when those players play. So instead of sending coaches to all the clubs, help all the schools.
I remember Laois minors winning their All Ireland's in the 90s and schools such as Portlaoise, Knockbeg and Ballyfin were all very competitive. Both feed each other.