Laois 2017 - NHL and Leinster SHC

Started by G@@, October 14, 2016, 04:15:43 PM

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blueandwhite1

We don't win too many games. None in last years league so we should be glad of a rare win.

I thought we were the better team when Offaly had 15 men and we were poor when they had 13. Winning possession is a huge problem for this team and we competed well until we had spare men and went to sleep for the last 15 minutes again. We gave them no space in the first half but allowed them to find men all over the field in the closing stages. Seem to lose focus and lack a killer instinct.

All in all, our forwards were good and lively and scored some great points. Not sure Paddy Whelan is a forward but the other five played well. Paddy Purcell was excellent in the middle. Ben Conroy will grow into the position. Cian Taylor and Sean Downey are very young and light but have serious potential and both really added to the team last night. Cahir and Mullaney were very strong and lifted it when we lost Matthew and Podge Lawlor. Mullaney really seems to have the right temperament for inter county and is very aggressive. Leigh Bergin played brilliantly and seems to be in the right place when he is needed. Will need time in the position too. We are seriously lacking in corner back cover.

Clubber Lang

While delighted with the win I was worried with how we finished game. Offaly were down to 13 men and still managed two good goal scoring chances in the last ten minutes and Dooley missed few simple frees (looked like he had a goal on his mind taking them). Similar to the Kerry game our intensity and energy levels dropped badly after a strong opening 45/50 minutes. Hopefully as the league progresses this can be improved upon. I know some of our key players were in Fitzgibbon action during week and probably feeling the exertions of 3 games in 7 days but we allowed Offaly almost a route back into that match which would have been unforgivable.

If we end up in a league relegation play-off on scoring difference the lads might look back on this game as a lost opportunity. 8 points up and playing against 13 men for last 20 minutes of game. We really should have be nailing Offaly for a 15 point victory. Top teams show no mercy-look at Galway result against Offaly last week. As mentioned by other posters our failure to create goal scoring chances is another concern. Last night was another prime example of it. We didn't look like adding another goal to our tally in last twenty minutes even with an extra two players on the field. If we are going to challenge later in the year we will need a goal threat. Goals normally win matches and provide teams with momentum.

On a positive note it was great to see our young squad bounce back from last week's disappointing loss. Furthermore, they showed good character after a poor start to the game and they never panicked. Some encouraging signs going forward. Lets hope they can continue on this upward curve and by the time they face Limerick at home hopefully they will be in a position to put up a right challenge.   

clonadmad

Ideal scenario

Offaly narrowly beat Kerry

And we stay competitive for the remaining games,we are currently +20 on Kerry

Which would see us into a q/f against Tipp

burdizzo

Ideal?
Offaly will hardly beat Kerry. And whether Laois can be competitive against the rest of the league is a big 'if'!

clonadmad

Quote from: burdizzo on February 19, 2017, 05:13:37 PM
Ideal?
Offaly will hardly beat Kerry. And whether Laois can be competitive against the rest of the league is a big 'if'!

Well if they don't,we will be playing Offaly in a relegation final

Wexford odds on for promotion at this stage,beat ourselves Offaly and Kerry and they go up

Don Draper

Quote from: clonadmad on February 19, 2017, 05:53:46 PM
Quote from: burdizzo on February 19, 2017, 05:13:37 PM
Ideal?
Offaly will hardly beat Kerry. And whether Laois can be competitive against the rest of the league is a big 'if'!

Well if they don't,we will be playing Offaly in a relegation final

Wexford odds on for promotion at this stage,beat ourselves Offaly and Kerry and they go up
They only need to win 2 because of the head to heads.

burdizzo

Maybe they'll throw the one against Laois?!

blueandwhite1

Quote from: burdizzo on February 19, 2017, 05:13:37 PM
Ideal?
Offaly will hardly beat Kerry. And whether Laois can be competitive against the rest of the league is a big 'if'!

Should Offaly beat Kerry, we would only need to be 'more competitive' than both Kerry and Offaly? That is, not get hammered by 20 points in each of our 3 remaining games. 3 x 10 point losses might be enough to avoid a relegation play off! If Kerry beat Offaly then it will almost certainly be a play off in Tullamore.

Keyser Söze

Quote from: blueandwhite1 on February 19, 2017, 09:49:49 PM
Quote from: burdizzo on February 19, 2017, 05:13:37 PM
Ideal?
Offaly will hardly beat Kerry. And whether Laois can be competitive against the rest of the league is a big 'if'!

Should Offaly beat Kerry, we would only need to be 'more competitive' than both Kerry and Offaly? That is, not get hammered by 20 points in each of our 3 remaining games. 3 x 10 point losses might be enough to avoid a relegation play off! If Kerry beat Offaly then it will almost certainly be a play off in Tullamore.

It is difficult to see Offaly beating Kerry from where I'm standing.
On another note stories are flying around all evening about Laois' celebrations this evening following on from yesterdays win. Interesting behaviour in one of our more "exotic" outposts!
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled.......

Don Draper

Quote from: burdizzo on February 19, 2017, 08:25:27 PM
Maybe they'll throw the one against Laois?!
Depends how much they dislike Offaly.

Don Draper

Quote from: Keyser Söze on February 19, 2017, 10:44:44 PM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on February 19, 2017, 09:49:49 PM
Quote from: burdizzo on February 19, 2017, 05:13:37 PM
Ideal?
Offaly will hardly beat Kerry. And whether Laois can be competitive against the rest of the league is a big 'if'!

Should Offaly beat Kerry, we would only need to be 'more competitive' than both Kerry and Offaly? That is, not get hammered by 20 points in each of our 3 remaining games. 3 x 10 point losses might be enough to avoid a relegation play off! If Kerry beat Offaly then it will almost certainly be a play off in Tullamore.

It is difficult to see Offaly beating Kerry from where I'm standing.
On another note stories are flying around all evening about Laois' celebrations this evening following on from yesterdays win. Interesting behaviour in one of our more "exotic" outposts!
Spit it out  ;)

Keyser Söze

Quote from: Don Draper on February 19, 2017, 11:24:13 PM
Quote from: Keyser Söze on February 19, 2017, 10:44:44 PM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on February 19, 2017, 09:49:49 PM
Quote from: burdizzo on February 19, 2017, 05:13:37 PM
Ideal?
Offaly will hardly beat Kerry. And whether Laois can be competitive against the rest of the league is a big 'if'!

Should Offaly beat Kerry, we would only need to be 'more competitive' than both Kerry and Offaly? That is, not get hammered by 20 points in each of our 3 remaining games. 3 x 10 point losses might be enough to avoid a relegation play off! If Kerry beat Offaly then it will almost certainly be a play off in Tullamore.

It is difficult to see Offaly beating Kerry from where I'm standing.
On another note stories are flying around all evening about Laois' celebrations this evening following on from yesterdays win. Interesting behaviour in one of our more "exotic" outposts!
Spit it out  ;)

Doesn't really matter where. But it seems like unusual behaviour from players AND management.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled.......

Don Draper


burdizzo

Doesn't sound great. Maybe it's 'team bonding'...

honest hurler

we havent a lot to  be talking about when we now begrudge our team a little night out after all these players are stuck in every week end while the rest of us are out enjoying ourselves so come on stop this childish talk and give them a little break