Messages

I'm not sure why but for some reason I think the Dubs might be in for a fright

I admire your optimism. Only a couple of weeks since we were fully outclassed by both Wicklow and Leitrim.

Laois were dominant for large periods but couldn't make it count.

3-23 was the problem though. We need a strong and settled spine. Full back and centre back are big problems. Delaney and Shanahan are fine hurlers but not suited to those positions.

Would tend to agree with that team mcwregor. Would like to see it more settled by now. Scully was flying a couple of years ago and has a bit of pace so possibly we would play him in the corner and push Aaron Dunphy out to the wing where he gets alot of his scores from. I like the look of Phelan but he is not a tried and tested entity in fast summer hurling. Adds strength though which we are badly missing.

Very poor performance in second half. Didn't think Antrim were great but we were very poor. Found it very hard to win a ball and when we did we either couldn't execute or got turned over. A lot of players not cutting it.

The setanta programme and the development squads should become the most important teams in the county for the next 10 years. See what happens, its time to try something different. Laois people would be happy with a good minor or u20 team to follow rather than watch our seniors being hammered. How many thousands turned up to watch our minors last year compared to some senior games.
There needs to be a shift in focus asap

There's no need for a shift in focus

What's needed is to focus across all the grades and not downgrade or throw out one group of hurlers over another

The CB in the last 2 years ran a surplus of close to €900k,use some of it but also get organised and work smart

Some of the story's coming out of the development squads are barely believable from an organisational viewpoint

If true

If we do as you say, nothing will change
Drastic overhaul is required

Tell us what you would do then?

I don't think it is massive. Need to put the money into high class coaching in the clubs. Pay suitable people to build standards and inspire our kids. Make the jobs financially attractive but based on a renewable term based on standards. We always talk about S&C etc which is important but unless you have the raw material it is pointless. County level GDAs don't work. The current model in Laois is to rely on parents, who are doing their best, to bring on our kids and we then expect the development panels / minor setups etc. to do the rest.

Some strange team selections but lots of lads getting game time. Team doesn't look at all settled. Can see us putting our strongest 15 out in Belfast though. Important match.

GAA need to do something about the league structures though. Need to find a way to get the second tier teams (us, Offaly, WH, Antrim, Kerry, Down, Kildare, Carlow) playing each other with the carrot of playing a couple of matches against top opposition for the winners / runners up. Don't buy into the current nonsense of week-in and week-out beatings. Don't know of any other sport where it happens.

[The LGFA nationally have a reputation for being difficult & unreasonable]

I don't have any insight into why this didn't happen.... But I can't imagine the GAA wouldn't have been reasonable in this matter.
Nothing to be gained from being otherwise.

The LGFA nationally have a reputation for being difficult & unreasonable. I have no idea if that extends to this situation, but I wouldn't be jumping to dump the blame at the feet of Laois GAA.

They do? I would always have seen them as far more progressive, inclusive and player focused than the GAA.

The combined schools team would be a good idea but its really only one cog in a wheel that has fallen off the wagon. Before we even talk about secondary schools we need to get the club structures in place with full time GPOs. We need to develop and grow the setanta programme into something special for kids. We need to get hurling going properly in every primary school in laois. The development squads need major focus and attention and then the secondary schools too.
We actually need to start with 5 and 6 year olds and put in the work for 15 years time.
I'm sick and tired of hearing laois senior managers over the past 20 years talking about taking 'the learnings' from heavy defeats and trying to work on them. The same shite for years we are hearing. Bringing Dan Shanahan and the likes of Shane O Sullivan (performance coach) from waterford and paying them. Performance coach...for that last night, give me a break.
Its time for leadership in this county. Wake up and smell the coffee and stop making the same mistakes over and over. We need to start from scratch and we need to do it now!!

Completely agree. It is all about the clubs and the coaching. There was never a hurler or footballer in Laois 'created' by a school or the county board. The county board have a role for sure but should all clubs not be able to pay a decent wage to a 'pro' to coach their underage teams for a few years the same way as they pay expenses to senior coaches and managers? Perhaps with financial assistance from the county board. The county board coaches never did much good IMO. Many of our young hurlers and footballers are being coached by parents who are doing their best but not at the right level to get lads to the standard needed.

Laois hurled well for 25 minutes. Then shot a few bad wides which allowed Kilkenny to open a gap.

Kilkenny upped the physicality and we backed off them alot in the second half which allowed them to do whatever they wanted.

Still, plenty of positives.

Offaly have a few things we don't:

1. A visionary with real power: Michael Duignan.
2. Serious financial backing, including from Shane Lowry
3. Strong group of volunteers that are willing to work. We complain about lack of a strong board but nobody wants to do it.

An absolute legend. My favourite player to watch playing for Laois over the years and always seemed to carry himself well on and off the field.

Being in Navan on this day was easily the highlight:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRYT-hTboxk

Thank you Ross.

Crokes have near-professional level fitness. If you haven't beaten them well with 50 minutes on the clock it is very difficult to stay with them. A bit like the Dubs in their prime. Hopefully Port learned that from last year and have made adjustments.

Reminder that posters feuding will get banned.

Until the end of the championship season at least.

So knock it off and DO NOT ENGAGE with each other...clonadman and Keyser Söze. 

Can't be much clearer...that means you both cannot even reply to each other in what might pass to be in a civil manner even.

Was unaware that these boards were moderated until now. Good to see though!! You must be a busy person!!

Never heard of him. Managed Tipp underage teams 10 years ago?

Sounds like an underwhelming choice.

Would be great to see them drive it on now. Big step up to senior but have plenty of talent on the team.