Official Laois Thread 2007

[KIDDO]

Laois 0.13, Offaly 1.7,  final score Laois retain u21 Leinster championship.

[Kevin]

Congratulations to Laois and best wishes going forward.

Thank you to the Offaly U21s for their efforts.

Up the Faithful!

[The Real Laoislad]

Great win for U/21s today the Laois conveyer belt of underage talent keeps rolling
Micheal John Tierney was excellent and won man of the match,he will be a big player for the seniors in the championship

[corn02]

Very attacking side. Some poor shooting but the oppurtunites were created. If your forwards are on song in the final, you wil win it.

[blast05]

Very disappointing from Mayo perspective. Fell to pieces after we had man sent off and Moran (midfielder) went off injured. Mind boggling that our sideline left our best player (No. 11) in the full forward line for 50 minutes where no ball was going and brought him out when the game was lost expecting him to perform a Houdini act.
For anyone that was watching it on TV - did the keeper save the penalty or did it hit the post ? and was the Mayo sending off justified ? It looked more like the Mayo guy lost his footing as he was going in with the shoulder and ending up taking the legs from under the Laois guy but i was on the opposite side of the ground so may be wrong.

Fair play for Laois though, they upped their game in the 2nd half and reduced their error count dramatically unlike Mayo and were well deserving winners

[The Real Laoislad]

25 mins gone Div 2 League Final

Laois 0-11
Wicklow 0-03

[The Real Laoislad]

An hour gone and Laois are running away with it

Laois 1-16
Wicklow 0-07

[The Real Laoislad]

Full Time

Laois 2-18
Wicklow 0-08

If we manage to beat Limerick in playoffs (which is a joke by the way as we should be promoted as champions and not have to play a playoff)
it will mean Laois and Galway are the only two counties in Ireland with both senior codes playing in thne First Division
Would this make us the joint best GAA county in Ireland

[The Real Laoislad]

Garden cut down to size by Young


Laois 2-19

Wicklow 0-8

NHL Division 2 final

THE harsh lessons learned at Arklow back in early March were most advantageously applied at Semple Stadium yesterday when Laois overwhelmed a disappointing Wicklow in this NHL Division Two final.

Wicklow pulled off a sensational 4-12 to 2-17 victory over the O'Moore County that day, but yesterday the tables were turned in emphatic fashion, with Laois seizing the initiative from an early stage.

The Midland outfit enjoyed a distinct advantage, with only midfielder Leighton Glynn, and half-forwards Jonathan O'Neill and Don Hyland, matching Laois for skill and application.

In contrast, centre-forward James Young, Laois's man-of-the-match, capped a glorious performance with a whopping total of 10 points, four from play and six from placed balls.

But it wasn't only in the scoring department that the Tinnahinch club-man excelled. His spectacular high catching was one of the outstanding features of the contest, and his passing accuracy set up a number of scores.

"I wasn't surprised by the fact that we won so comfortably," insisted Laois manager Damien Fox, whose charges face Limerick on Sunday week, to decide which of the two counties will play in Division One next year.

"Despite the result in Arklow, I felt we were a better hurling team than Wicklow. At the time of the last match against Wicklow, we were right in the middle of a heavy block of training and a number of the lads had been out until early on Sunday morning attending club dinner dances.

Missed

"The one disappointing aspect of the game was that I felt we should have won by more - we missed a lot of chances."

Any hope for the previously unbeaten Wicklow repeating their success was significantly damaged when full-forward Wayne O'Gorman, who scored two goals in the Arklow fixture, was forced to retire with an arm injury after a collision with opposing full-back Darren Rooney on 32 minutes.

By that stage, though, Laois had already moved into a 0-11 to 0-3 lead. It's a measure of the poverty of Wicklow's performance that they had to wait until the 33rd minute for their first score from play, Hyland opening his account after O'Neill had registered the Garden County's first three scores from placed balls.

Although playing against the wind in the second half, Laois severely dented their opponents' prospects with two points on the trot, Young placing Willie Hyland for the first and added the second himself.

Wicklow substitute Alan Tiernan, who plays his club hurling with Dublin's Kilmacud Crokes, shot two excellent points from play but their two remaining scores came from placed balls.

Wicklow supremo John Mitchell rued the loss of O'Gorman. He said: "Laois played at a tempo that we were unable to cope with, and we were struggling in a lot of areas. Although we were seven points down (0-4 to 0-11) at half-time, we were still hopeful, as we had played against a strong wind.

"But unfortunately we lost our main scorer, Wayne O'Gorman, just before half-time, and then we missed a number of scoring chances early in the second half."

As well as Young, Darren Rooney, Michael McEvoy, Joe Fitzpatrick, Hyland and Jason Phelan particularly stood out for the winners, who put the outcome beyond doubt when John Brophy picked up a long ball and drove past Wicklow 'keeper Tom Finn on 47 minutes.

Four minutes from time, Wicklow were ruthlessly punished again as sub Noel Costello added a second goal.

SCORERS - Laois: J Young 0-10 (6f), W Hyland 0-4, J Brophy, N Costello 1-0 each, Jason Phelan 0-2, Joe Phelan, P Russell, E Jackman 0-1 each. Wicklow: J O'Neill 0-4 (4f), A Tiernan 0-2, D Hyland, J Keogh 0-1 each.

LAOIS - P Mullaney; B Campion, D Rooney, C Fitzpatrick; M McEvoy, M Whelan, C Dunne; J Fitzpatrick, S Dollard; W Hyland, J Young, J Brophy; Joe Phelan, T Fitzgerald, Jason Phelan. Subs: N Costello for Joe Phelan (57), P Russell for Jason Phelan (62), E Jackman for Hyland (64), D McGill for Dollard (67), B Ferns for C Fitzpatrick (70).

WICKLOW - T Finn; E O'Neill, G Keogh, W Collins; G Birmingham, J Murphy, L Kennedy; L Glynn, D Moran; J O'Neill, D Hyland, G Doran; S Furlong, W O'Gorman, S Kelly. Subs: A Tiernan for O'Gorman (inj, 32), A Furlong for Kennedy (inj, half-time), B Stones for Moran (43), J Keogh for Kelly (57), E O'Sullivan for Doran (60).

REF - S McMahon (Clare).

* The importance of the presentation of the Division 2 NHL cup to Laois captain Joe Fitzpatrick was downgraded with the emergence of the Kilkenny team from the dressing rooms even before the cup was presented. Waterford emerged shortly after with the presentation still in full flow as Fitzpatrick made his acceptance speech.

[The Real Laoislad]

Limerick hold off brave Laois challenge


NHL PLAYOFF FOR DIV 1 STATUS

Limerick 3-15 Laois 1-13

Limerick held off a brave Laois challenge -3-15 to 1-13 - at McDonagh Park in Nenagh on Saturday evening to retain their National Hurling League Division 1 status for next year.

The Treaty Men looked set to pull off another rout, following their 6-10 1-18 defeat of Offaly last time out, when Andrew O'Shaughnessy quickly gave his side a 1-2 to 0-1 lead by the 10th minute.

James Young though kept Laois in touch with an exhibition of score-taking and free-taking, including one superb point directly from a sideline ball.

By the 21st minute the deficit was reaching crisis point as Ollie Moran connected, first time, to send the sliotar, past Paddy Mullally, in the Laois net.

O'Moore County captain Joe Fitzpatrick's snapshot soon after made it 2-4 to 0-4 and signaled that his side would not lie down.

Tinnahinch clubman Young then hit five scores to Limerick's two to leave just three between the sides at the interval - 2-6 to 0-9.

Laois' revival continued in the early part of the second half with Young cracking over another three scores to cut Limerick's advantage down to just two.

But Shannonside manager Richie Bennis made a double substitution, with Brian Begley and Pat Tobin coming on, to wake his side up. And scores from full forward Sean O'Connor, Tobin and O'Shaughnessy (2) quickly restored Limerick's six-point advantage.

One of the more notable duals in this encounter was the show of marksmanship from O'Shaughnessy and Young, who traded scores from all manner of angles throughout the 70 minutes.

Limerick did need to keep on their toes in the final quarter though and were it not for a fantastic save in the 62nd minute by Offaly's Brian Mullins from Philip Russell, the result could have been far different.

O'Shaughnessy then confirmed Limerick's Division 1 status with a well-taken penalty with just a minute of regulation time remaining on the clock.

At the other end of the field, less than 60 seconds later, Laois substitute James Walsh gave the scoreline a more respectable appearance when he touched a brilliant Young free to the net in the dying moments.

 

[The Real Laoislad]

Dubs dazzled as purple patch propels Laois to handy win

Laois 2-12 

Dublin 1-3

Leinster MFC replay

AN eight-minute purple patch that yielded a 1-4 helped propel Laois to an ultimately comfortable victory over Dublin in last night's ESB Leinster MFC quarter-final replay at a rainswept O'Moore Park.

Donie Kingston was the star for the winners, weighing in with six points and a super display.

The hosts began well, dominating the midfield exchanges, but a combination of profligate shooting plus three kicks that dropped short meant that initial progress was slow.

Indeed, Dignam was called into action in the opening minute when making a sensational save from a Mark Coughlan blockbuster.

Dublin opened the scoring from a Barry O'Rourke free, but Laois finally found their shooting boots, with Kingston slotting two frees and John O'Loughlin rampaging forward for a fine point.

A 20th minute goal by Shane Gallagher, following a sumptuous Brendan Staunton pass, heralded a brief period of ascendancy for the Sky Blues and Gallagher followed up with a point inside 60 seconds to push them two points clear.

Smyth's 25th minute goal restored Laois's advantage, however, and they never relinquished it, with three points in as many minutes giving them a 1-7 to 1-2 interval lead.

Kingston was irresistible in the second half, causing mayhem as Laois put their visitors to the sword.

The 16-year-old added three further points to his tally as well as setting up the goal, while Dublin could only manage one point - from a Ted Furman 45 - eight minutes from the end.

SCORERS - Laois: B Smyth 2-2, D Kingston 0-6 (0-3f), Z Tuohy, J O'Loughlin, C Meredith (f), E Kelly 0-1 each. Dublin: S Gallagher, 1-1, B O'Rourke (f), T Furman (45) 0-1 each.

LAOIS - M Webster; R Keogh, J Mulhare, J Connor; C Lillis, C Boyle, Z Tuohy; S Ramsbottom, J O'Loughlin; B Smyth, C Meredith, C Farrell; S Miller, D Kingston, E Kelly 0-1. Subs: C Delaney for Farrell; D Lowry for Ramsbottom; C Hyland for Smyth.

DUBLIN - J Dignam; R O'Loughlin, R O'Carroll, D Lynch; J Cooper, S Casserley, N Brogan; K O'Connor, D Moher; M Coughlan, C McLoughlin, B Staunton; B O'Rourke, S Gallagher, T Furman. Subs: F McMahon for O'Connor; C Dorney for Gallagher; J Edwards for O'Loughlin.

REF - S Carroll (Westmeath)

-

[The Real Laoislad]

Laois have named a massive seven championship debutants for Sunday's Guinness Leinster SHC quarter-final meeting with Offaly in Tullamore.

Kieran Fitzpatrick, Matthew Whelan, Conor Dunne, Shane Dollard, Willie Hyland, John Brophy and Jason Phelan will all make their Liam McCarthy Cup bow against the Faithful County.

Ace marksman James Young will line out at centre forward instead of his more common midfield berth.

Manager Damien Fox has opted to stick with the side that lost 3-15 to 1-13 against Limerick in the National Hurling League Division 1 Promotion/Relegation playoff earlier this month.

Fox though has opted to make two positional switches with Joe Phelan dropping back from right corner forward to left wing forward and John Brophy moving in the other direction in a direct swap.

LAOIS: P Mullaney; C Healy, D Rooney, K Fitzpatrick; M McEvoy, M Whelan, C Dunne; J Fitzpatrick, S Dollard; W Hyland, J Young, Joe Phelan; J Brophy, T Fitzgerald, Jason Phelan.




I have a good feeling about this game,there just might be a shock in store for the BIFFOS

[G@@]

The latest news from the Laois camp:

* James Young has been absent from training all week with an illness - however Manager Fox has confirmed to the panel that he will play on Sunday.

* Weather conditions forecasted: http://metcheck.com/V40/UK/FREE/dayforecast.asp?day=2&zipcode=Offaly - an improvement over recent forecasts which were for 7c and heavy rain. Looked like a repeat of last year's "Aqua Hurling"

* Cahir Healy has nailed his flag to the hurling post for 2007 after turning down an invitation to the Senior Footballers. The U21 Football Captain that lost the AI to Cork this year cited commitments to too many squads for his refusal but indicated he'd love to join the panel for 2008.

* Darren Rooney is also a footballer who will continue his duel status in 2007. He is named at No.3 for Sundays clash with Offaly. Since his return he has steadied the defence and made the position his own.

[The Real Laoislad]

Laois take first tentative steps in Leinster


Laois 0-14 Longford 0-09

Laois came to the fore in the second half of tonight's Leinster SFC quarter-final at Tullamore, overhauling Longford for a 0-14 to 0-09 victory and a place in the provincial semi-finals.

Helped by the shooting of Michael Tierney (0-04) and Padraig Clancy (0-02), the O'Moore men triumphed against a Longford side that finished with a galling wides tally of 15.

Brian Kavanagh's 0-04 haul saw Longford take a one-point lead in at the break - 0-06 to 0-05. They moved 0-08 to 0-05 ahead, but the turning point came in the 57th minute.

Longford substitute Padraig Berry had a goal ruled out and Laois took their cue, scoring five of the game's final six points to book their place in Leinster's last-four.

Laois had to alter their team before the throw-in as former All-Star Tom Kelly failed a fitness test on a groin injury, meaning Cathal Ryan was moved across to full-back and Aidan Fennelly was drafted in at right corner-back.

Helped by a brisk wind, Longford nabbed an early lead but it was Laois who almost catapulted themselves ahead with a first-minute goal.

Liam Kearns' men hit the woodwork twice within the opening 40 seconds with Ross Munnelly cracking his initial shot off an upright and then left-footing off the crossbar from a tighter angle.

Brian McCormack also watched his fourth-minute shot narrowly miss Damien Sheridan's far post, but while Longford meandered into a 0-04 to 0-00 lead, Laois always looked capable of pegging them back.

Brian Kavanagh's ability to win and point frees was key as Longford hit the front. The 20-year-old corner-forward, who operated in a two-man full-forward line alongside David Barden, sent over four frees in the opening half.

Longford's interval advantage could and should have had added cushion, but Kavanagh missed two kickable placed balls in injury-time, moving his side's wides tally to a frustrating ten.

Although they were struggling to keep tabs on Kavanagh, Laois came more and more into the game as the half progressed.

After Paddy Dowd, who rocketed over a shot from the right, and Kevin Mulligan, who fisted over after being set up by David Barden, had nudged Longford four points clear, Laois finally opened their account.

It was all of 20 minutes before Noel Garvan chipped in with Laois' opening point. A good interchange between the half-forwards led to half-back Padraig McMahon pointing and a Brian McDonald free cut Longford's advantage to 0-04 to 0-03.

The sides were level on 26 minutes when Munnelly pointed on the rebound after a Paul Lawlor shot had cannoned back off the crossbar.

Kavanagh and Tierney then exchanged frees before the former sent Luke Dempsey's side in at the break, one point to the good, by angling over his lengthiest free of the tie.

Cheered on by the boisterous travelling support, Longford made a business-like start to the second half with the Barden brothers, Paul and David, both pointing within six minutes of the resumption.

However, as the rain began to fall, Laois increased the tempo and their forward unit began to click as they registered the next four points with 'Beano' McDonald (free), livewire Tierney, who sent over a point from play and a well-struck free, and skipper Clancy, who blazed over from distance, rallying their blue-shirted team mates.

Then came the moment which Dempsey and his management team will pore over in their video analysis.

David Barden launched a high ball into the square from wide out on the left, Laois goalkeeper Fergal Byron looked to have it covered but Longford's Berry brilliantly rose highest to punch the ball to the net.

A goal then and Longford would have retaken the lead at 1-08 to 0-09, yet referee Vincent Neary ruled the effort out for an infringement.

The decision broke Longford hearts but seemingly gave another jolt to the Laois attack as Tierney, Chris Conway, Clancy, Lawlor and McCormack all fired over points in the closing quarter-hour.

Free-taker Kavanagh did reduce the gap for a time to 0-12 to 0-09. However, Laois had found an extra gear by then and, despite a sluggish start, their second half display was enough to see them through to a June 24 meeting against either Louth, Wicklow or Wexford.

Laois: F Byron; A Fennelly, C Ryan, J Higgins; P McMahon (0-01), D Rooney, B McCormack (0-01); B Quigley, N Garvan (0-01); R Munnelly (0-01), C Conway (0-01), P Clancy (capt) (0-02); M Tierney (0-04, 2f), P Lawlor (0-01), B McDonald (0-02, 2f).

Subs used: P O'Leary for Fennelly (42 mins), B Sheehan for Garvan (52), C Parkinson for Munnelly (69).

Longford: D Sheridan (capt); D Brady, D Masterson, D Reilly; S Mulligan, D Hannify, N Farrell; B McElvaney, L Keenan; T Smullen, P Barden (0-01), P Dowd (0-01); D Barden (0-01), K Mulligan (0-01), B Kavanagh (0-05, 5f).

Subs used: P Berry for Dowd (56 mins), N Sheridan for Mulligan (61), J Martin for Smullen (63), K Smith for Keenan (69).

Referee: Vincent Neary (Mayo).

Filed under: Laois Football