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http://www.laoisgaa.ie/contentPage/48190/what_we_do

From the Laois GAA site. Fairly comprehensive list of activities going on. How well are they being implemented?

I don't live in Laois at the moment and would be from the football side of the county however I try and keep updated on all things hurling.
Maybe i'm wrong but there seems to be plenty going on underage in the county and we have the Cumann na mbunscol being better organised this year and a panel being created. The Setanta programme is there for 11 to 13 year olds and you have developement squads for all age groups up to minor.

Bar the win over Dublin a few years back the U21 grade has been a disaster. The minors have been reasonably competitive although beaten by Offaly last year.

I think the county board have been very proactive with their hurling appointments this time for both senior and minor bringing in proven management teams. Cost is an issue that has to be dealt with however I would assume that the grant from Croke Park is freeing up some funds for this.

As Cheddar said you have to have a good competitive senior team for the young lads to look up to and aspire to. Members of the senior team get involved in the kids training camps which all helps in keeping these kids hurling.

From what I read, hear and see the hurling set up underage isn't that bad and appears, although I am open to correction, to be in a more healthy state that the football.

Pity that ref wasn't reffing some of the Dublin games in recent years. Philly McMahon has footblocked on more than one occasion.

Also, should that rule not also apply to goalkeepers?

The fact they have a proven manager over them must make a difference. They worked very hard against Dublin, more than recent minor teams. Skill levels are very good too.

Reading Jack Nolans column on Laoistoday.ie and he makes a point of having a go at underage coaching standards in the county over the past few years.

Just a couple of points.

On the highlights there Louth scored a point on 4.20 and after breaking up a Laois attack the ball went the length of the pitch without being kicked once, in fact there wasn't even one solo, before being kicked over the bar. Very little kick passing from Louth in those highlights. Not the way football should be played imo.

Laois can feel badly after that. Missing the penalty having scored the goal when the foul was committed. Certainly looking at the footage if Louth were awarded a penalty for that coming together then the tackle on the Laois forward was a stonewall penalty. You also had the ref overruling the umpires for a Louth point.

Based on the hightlights Laois looked the better footballers but from reading reports they kicked poorly at the Louth goal. Sometimes the better option is to pass to a better placed teammate than going for the spectacular. All in all they can feel hard done by but have a second chance but Meath must be really kicking themselves after throwing away a 10 point lead so they must be handly enough and will be mad to redeem themselves.
I can't see Louth doing too much in the campaign.

I wouldn't go so far as to say they were focussed on Cork as that is a few weeks away. They were the standout team in the league. Galway had greater desire to win and the Galway backs had the measure of the Tipp forwards. Added to that the Galway forward unit was flying. Plus as has already been stated Galway love playing Tipp no matter where the form guide is. You can say it's only April but this 'unbeatable' Tipp team getting hammered out the gate will affect them. 16 points defeat will certainly put a doubt in the mind.

Some win for Meath today. Just shows how tight this round robin will be. Very important game next week. A win and the job should be done.

Wasn't there today but sounded like Roddy didn't get going at all. We need all our top players to perform to do anything. Hopefully he saves his big game for Kerry.

What are the surprises? Paddy Whelan and Picky on the inside line? Nothing major really.

Mullaney did his shoulder but not sure about Lennon. He is carrying an injury though.

You need good corner backs. Would we have won anything without the likes of Joe and Aidan Fennelly in the corners?

Have the parents got any connections over that side of the county? Fair committment from them if not to allow their sons to hurl.

Laois Minor Football manager Noel Delaney has announced his starting 15 for Saturday's Electric Ireland MFC clash with Louth at 3pm in O'Moore Park

Courtwood's Alan Kinsella captains the side.


1. Thomas McCann (Ballyroan Abbey)

2. Michael Dowling (Portlaoise)

3. Sean O'Flynn (Courtwood)

4. Daniel Comerford (The Harps)

5. Colin Slevin (Portarlington)

6. Seamus Lacey (Ballylinan)

7. Gary Saunders (Portlaoise)

8. Robert Tyrell (Camross)

9. Diarmuid Whelan (Ballyroan Abbey)

10. Alan Kinsella (Courtwood)

11. Niall Dunne (Courtwood)

12. Ronan Coffey (Portarlington)

13. Mark Barry (O'Dempsey's)

14. Ciaran Comerford (The Harps)

15. Jack Owens (Emo)


Courtwood certainly doing something right.  Well represented on teh senior team and 3 starters on the minor team.

Unfortunately the forum cannot be self moderated but I would agree with you some of the posts are getting very childish which takes from decent discussion on the subject.