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First time in a long time we have had 4 Portlaoise men on the team for a championship match I'd say you'd have to go back to 2010 or more I'd say ...For a few years it was only Healy it could have two then with Boyle and Lillis was around ..then for two years it was only Brody ...Good to see hopefully Lillis can get back as well to add more competition.

Sun shining teams getting announced people putting bets down as yes its championship time again .....And I for one fecking Love it!!!!!!

C'mon Laois!!!!!!

So here we go ....

Is it just me or does it seem extremely early this year.

I haven't heard much seems as if the camp has told to keep things close to the chest.

I would presuming if fit the team will be along the lines of

Brody
Begley
Timmons
Attride
O'Connor
Strong
Donogher/Meredith
Quigley
Meaney
O'Carroll
O'Loughlin
Meredith/Donogher
Walsh
Donie
Cahilane/Munnelly


This is a complete guess as it has changed so much recently...If Begley isn't fit maybe young Farrell in the corner back spot.

There is certainly enough in the midfield and forward line to win this and win it well

I expect Laois to win by 4-6 points


I'd expect a Louth to beat carlow by the same sort of score line.

I hope the Laois gaels can come out and support the lads in force!

LAOIS ABÚ

Playing Louth away even though we the draw had them at home!

Anthony Cunningham (born 16 June 1965) is a former Irish hurling manager and former player. He had been the manager of the Galway senior team from 2011 to 2015.[1][2][3][4]

Born in Peterswell, County Galway, Cunningham was raised in a hurling stronghold in the south of the county. He was a two-time Connacht medallist at colleges level with Our Lady's College while simultaneously joining the St. Thomas' senior club team.

Cunningham made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of fifteen when he first linked up with the Galway minor team. An All-Ireland-winning captain in this grade, he later captained Galway to an All-Ireland title with the under-21 team. Cunningham joined the senior panel during the 1983-84 league. He went on to play a key role for Galway in attack during a hugely successful era, and won two All-Ireland medals and one National Hurling League medals. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on four occasions.

As a member of the Connacht inter-provincial team, Cunningham won four Railway Cup medals between 1986 and 1991. Throughout his inter-county career he made 15 championship appearances. Cunningham retired from inter-county hurling following the conclusion of the 1993 championship.

Equally adept as a coach of both hurling and Gaelic football, Cunningham's first position as manager of the Roscommon senior hurling team was an unsuccessful one. In 2006 he took charge of the St. Brigid's football team, guiding them to back-to-back championship titles. Cunningham later guided Garrycastle to an All-Ireland appearance having already secured a Leinster title and three successive championship titles.

In 2009 Cunningham was back as an inter-county manager with the Galway under-21 hurling team. A successful tenure, culminating in the winning of the All-Ireland title, led to Cunningham being appointed manager of the Galway senior team on 27 October 2011. He has since gone on to lead Galway to two All-Ireland final appearances and a Leinster title.


Can he help Mick Lillis with the Laois footballers to have a better season than they have had so far?

Colm Begely went for a good few years but came back and with out setting the world alight he certainly has been a decent servant to Laois

He was away for 5 years and came back in 2010 he has been a consistent performer for both Laois and DCU and also Parnells in dublin...

He has just rejoined his home club in Stradbally and will be a welcome addition I think he is still only 29

We drew Louth

Meath V Dublin

Kildare v westmeath

Offaly v Wexford

To be fair to Lillis, I doubt he is getting much, if anything, after expenses. His ability is suspect but his passion for Laois and his effort without pay, can't be questioned really. I like the addition of Cunningham but it would be much better had it been at start of year. Lillis means very well, in fairness, but he's like your ma when she holds your hand on the way to the local disco, in front of all your friends. Meaning well, but in reality - holding you back and cramping your style.

Ha ha thats an unreal last line Tony while not totally out of context either.

I think Mick knew he needed help as he has two very raw selectors as well maybe it was just a case of getting the right man...

I think everyone i the camp is delighted with this and from what I hear Cuningham's has already made a big impression...

With Lillis Passion and knowledge of the players and Cunningham's expertise maybe the summer might not be too bad at all...


KEEP THE FAITH!

Hoping we loose to Wicklow will certainly not help us as a county...

Yes maybe its a cry for help but its a big name with a superb record and I'm glad Lillis or whoever has realised they need some extra help in the set up.

We will beat Wicklow not taking them or any team for granted but we will have too much for them what can be done between then and Dublin is open to question.

Its alarming that Donie is so  far off the pace but he was carrying a niggling injury or so i'm told.

good to see O'connor in defence which is his best position in my opinion!

Interesting times in indeed ..

John O Loughlin and Darren Strong were very good as was cahilanne. ..team looked a lot hungrier

Playing Limerick Im told not sure when or where...

Bar open....That will suit our lads!

If we could only draw with Offaly I don't see us giving the Lillys much of a game!

Kinsella is loved by the inter county players ...I think he is decent gets a lot of big games for a reason...

Maurice isn't as good as he used to be

Duffy -worst ref in the country at top level by far..

Nolan -Wicklow is poor and always favours the bigger teams-Watch it its incredible.

Hughes-Armagh is very good in my opinion

Kelly of Longford and Gough of Meath are also good ref's

Never rule out sligo

There is not an asses roar of Crettyard been in any relegation mix.  Ballyfin are the outstanding favourites for this.

No doubting Ballyfin will be everyone's favourites like last year and the draw against a coming Joes team won't help them but if they loose that a favourable draw could see them stay up...

You could be right about Crettyard but I think they have been lucky for a few years now...In saying that they have a few players starting to come again and in Evan O'Carroll they have a match winner!