Messages

It is and where better to start your transition than Div 4.
This Division should be very winnable for us so Division 4 champions this year and reaching the Tailteann Cup final next year are two realistic goals for us to aim for.

Kelly Cup 2023 draw

Group A – Emo, Graiguecullen, Timahoe
Group B – Ballylinan, Ballyroan-Abbey, Stradbally
Group C – Crettyard, Park-Ratheniska, St Joseph's
Group D – Ballyfin, Arles-Kilcruise, Killeshin

Hear there playing Kildare in a challenge match next week .

Any idea where that game will take place?

[Div4 Fixtures]

Div4 Fixtures

Sunday 29 January 2023 - Round 1
Markievicz Park, Sligo 14:00
Sligo v Laois

Sunday 5 February 2023 - Round 2
Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise 14:00
Laois v Wexford

Sunday 19 February 2023 - Round 3
Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow 14:00
Carlow v Laois

Saturday 25 February 2023 - Round 4
Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise 19:00
Laois v Wicklow

Saturday 4 March 2023 - Round 5
Laois Hire O'Moore Park, Portlaoise 18:00
Laois v Waterford

Sunday 19 March 2023 - Round 6
Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon 14:00
Leitrim v Laois

Sunday 26 March 2023 - Round 7
McGovern Park, Ruislip 13:00
London v Laois

At least its a positive sign from the Port lads, I'm sure Anthony Cunningham will be encouraging them to play County football if only for the experience alone. I think that's what they need to move on as a club.

[Times and dates.]

Times and dates.

January 29 – Sligo in Markievicz Park at 2pm
February 5 – Wexford in O'Moore Park at 2pm
February 19 – Carlow in Dr Cullen Park at 2pm
February 25 – Wicklow in O'Moore Park at 7pm
March 4 – Waterford in O'Moore Park at 6pm
March 19 – Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon at 2pm
March 26 – London in Ruislip at 1pm

It isn't very dignified of a county secretary to be making comments like that in his annual report.

Maybe not but unfortunately what he says is true

[Laois GAA report surplus of over €370,000 in latest annual accounts]

We are not short of money anyway....

Laois GAA report surplus of over €370,000 in latest annual accounts
By Steven Miller - 23rd November 2022

Laois GAA have reported a surplus of €376,037 in their annual accounts that will be presented to the clubs of the county at convention next week.
It is the second year in a row that Laois's finances have shown a considerable profit, coming off the back of a surplus of over €500,000 a year ago.
The accounts in the past couple of years have been skewed slightly because of Covid while last year's figures were only for 11 months of the year due to a change in the accounting year.

When comparing accounts, you're looking at a 12-month period this year to an 11-month period last year.
While Laois's income in the past 12 months was up considerably to just over €1.6 million (from almost €1.2 million), expenditure is up significantly also – from just €658,500 to over €1.2 million).
The accounts have been audited by Mazaars Chartered Accountancy firm.

In terms of income, gate receipts, which had been curtailed greatly during Covid, have more than doubled, from almost €241,000 in the 2021 figures to over €542,100 in 2022.
Complicating the gate receipts figure is that the 2021 senior county finals are included in this year's figures but the 2022 ones aren't.
There was also an increase in commercial income (sponsorship), fundraising and income from associated bodies (grants) while with supporters back, there was just over €39,000 in National League shares, something which wasn't there in 2021.
County team expenditure has also increased greatly, by more than €200,000 and was €639,745 in 2022 compared to €419,399 in 2021.

This year's figure of almost €640,000, though an increase on the past two years, is still somewhat off the record €813,354 in 2019. It had been over €750,000 in 2018.
The accounts also show a significant increase in Coaching and Games development expenses.
O'Moore Park, which is accounted for separately, operated at a deficit this year of €10,530 compared to a surplus of €74,964 a year ago.
Government funding of €30,000 in 2021 as well as lower service charges, fuel, light and upkeep costs account for the difference.

Key figures (2021 figures in brackets)
Total Income – €1,619,912 (€1,188,153)
Total Expenditure – €1,243,875 (€683,021)
Surplus/Deficit – €376,037 (€505,132)
Gate Receipts – €542,135 (€240,943)
Commercial Income – €224,620 (€192,630)
Fundraising – €179,718 (€152,722)
Income from Associated bodies –€370,041 (€293,989)
Coaching and Games Development Income – €138,915 (€145,078)
County Teams Expenses – €639,745 (€419,399)
Admin Expenses – €182,169 (€116,668)
Coaching and Games Development Expenses – €248,220 (€14,854)
Live Streaming Income –  €45,348 (€35,884)

classy to put the boot in when lads are down

I don't think that's putting the boot in, it's a fair point.
Very hard to play against this calabre of players when you have no county experience or county level training. To me that was Portlaoise's downfall on many an occasion when they just needed that little bit more to win games but physic and fitness let them down.
Some of the Portarlington lads would benifit hugely from a stint with the county but that's totally up to themselves as it doesn't suit everyone.
Great year for them and hard luck Portarlington...

[National Football League Division 4 2023]

National Football League Division 4 2023

January 28/29 – Sligo (Away)
February 4/5 – Wexford (Home)
February 18/19 – Carlow (Away)
February 25/26 – Waterford (Home)
March 4/5 – Wicklow (Home)
March 18/19 – Leitrim (Away)
March 26 – London (Away)

Sugrue taking over Park and Kieran Kelly off to Graigue?

Was Kieran Kelly not involved with Graiguecullen for the past few years??

The referee scenario for Sundays games is strange. Let's hope it's not a talking point come Sunday evening

What's strange about it???

This weather is awful, are the games going ahead today?

Great games to look forward to but the weather forecast is bad, lots of rain around and could make a big difference to the outcome of these games.

Totally agree, It's a competition that we can realistically win. Much better than the Leinster Championship for counties like us.
Promotion from Div4 and a real go at this is certainly what we should be aiming for this year. Win that and it would be a great boost to attack the Leinster the following year.