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Round 2 kicks off later this week. I had 6/8 last round so looking for a better showing. (Graigue and the Heath letting my predictions down).

Port v Stradbally - Port to extend their winning run in championship, didn't see Strad in last outing but can't see them overturning Port, who again will be eyeing up the 4/5 week break to quarter finals. Wonder will see a few more returning faces by then. Port by 5.

Killeshin v Arles Killeen - Big win for both, now the prize is survival and a quarter final spot. Donie's hamstring couldn't be fully recovered inside 2 weeks, huge loss for Killeen. Because of this i will give a hesitant nod to Killeshin. No love lost between these two teams, wonder will the brown jacket make a return!?

Emo v O'Dempseys - Emo putting up the score of round 1 against Rosenalis, and O'Ds breaking most people's accumulator. (Never back the early kick off!!) Fair play to OD's impressive result considering the absentees, don't know if that was down to Graigue or ODs excellence. Very hard to call, but expect both teams to cut loose at each other and Emo by 2.

St Joseph's V Ballyroan Abbey - Joseph's finally getting a win over Portlaoise, first time in Championship in how long?? Had to grind out the win, especially after PL went a point up after the penalty. Will expect them to kick on now and improve against Ballyroan. Who themselves were tested massively by Park. Huge improvement needed for BA to face Josephs. Who seem to be a bit further down the line than this young Ballyroan team. St Joes by 4.

The Heath v Graiguecullen - Graigue will surely get back to form after a woeful performance in Round 1. Surprised with how they closed out the game with the wind and then the red card to make it worse. Can't be as bad again. Should have too much for the Heath by 6.

Park-Ratheniska v Courtwood - Probably the most impressive "losers" of Round 1. I was very impressed by PR against Ballyroan, well organised team with lively inside forwards who move the ball fast when the space is there. Courtwood within a kick of a ball against Strabally. I think PR had the 1st round on their mind since it was made and played at their best, very hard to get back up for it again so soon. Courtwood have well balanced forwards with the experience of Donoher with the returning Kinsella. Courtwood to pull away in the end.

Portlaoise v Rosenalis - Two teams probably very disappointed by their first match performances. Unfortunately for Rosenalis, PL ceiling is much higher (only Scott Osborne save and they would be reigning champions). I was actually shocked at how poor the town were against Joes. Didn't look fit, no showing from their two young county men. Relying on Lilis again, who still has the ability but not for the 60 mins that PL need from him. Rosenalis to have a very tough afternoon here, another in potentially a tough season for them.

Ballyfin v Clonaslee - Ballyfin must be relieved they avoided Portlaoise this year in the losers section, and expect to get their championship back under away here against Clonaslee. Clonaslee conceding a big score against Arles Killeen the last day doesn't bode well for them, neither does scoring 1-5. Any more of the potential absentees for Ballyfin or can we finally put to bed these rumours about the Moore's being away?! Ballyfin to win, but Clonaslee to be closer than they were last round to AK. The only match outside of O'Moore Park this round?

What better way to prepare for the first round than giving my predictions for the first round that no one asked for 

Ballyfin v Portarlington - Again Ballyfin to open their campaign against the Co. Champs. Hard to see them getting revenge here. Port won topped Div 1 with a lot of absentees, that seem to be coming back into the panel at the right time. Talk of the Moore's being unavailable will make this a very tough task for Ballyfin. I also did hear of potential bad injuries in Port, but could be Chinese whispers. Port by 8.

Ballyroan A v Park/Rath - First match outside of O'Moore Park on Friday. Expect a big crowd in Stradbally adding to the atmosphere. BA to win by 6/7, feel they will have too much for P/R. Will be close for the first half as I expect Sugrue will want to remain in the game and then will have to open up in the 2nd half and BA young guns to pull away.

Stradbally V Courtwood - The start of the tough calls, CW a very good league winning Div 2, return of injured players boosting the small club, along with a few younger players getting use to adult football. Any idea if Collins is playing this year for them? Stradbally on the other hand, just don't know what you are getting. Steady in Div 1, but didn't exactly catch the eye. Expect them to have enough experience on board to get the win, Strad by 1/2 points.

Graigue V O'Dempseys - Graigue to grind out a 3-4 win in a low scoring game. ODs missing too many players from last year. I expect a few welcome returns for them since the league, but Graigue aren't an easy team to play against and don't put up big scores too often, so a comfortable win in a lack luster start to Championship.

Heath V Killeshin - Again another tight one, Heath return from their quick stay in intermediate, and be hopefull not to be worrying about dropping back down. Where as Killeshin now have been flirting with the drop the last few years. Attride emigrating has hurt them massively, County finalists only a few years ago, time catching up on their stalwarts, Cathal Brennan not appearing any more and the warrior Arnie Mahon still a leader on this team. The Lowry's will have the biggest say in this game, how heHeath handle them is their main concern. I'll go with a draw here, and if ET - the Heath to win.

Portlaoise v St Josephs. My pick of the round. I expect  a real championship feel to this in terms of pace and physicality. Think Joes will want this more as Portlaoise have knocked them out at least 5 times in the last 10 years. Joes will also want to take a scalp in championship and rid themselves of the "league team" tag. Still think Portlaoise will have a big say at the business end. A hesitant nod to St Josephs by the minimum.

Arles Killeen v Clonaslee - 2nd match outside of O'Moore park. Has AK time at senior come to an end finally? Or are they going to beat the drop again. For some reason I can see AK winning this match. Clonaslee had a fantastic year last year but I think they will be caught in Rathineska. Paul Kingston to shoot Killeen to an unlikely win.

Emo V Rosenalis - Emo coming in a bit under the radar this year, whilst Rosenalis having to juggle the dual commitments of senior hurling and football. I think the big win over the Harps last weekend, took a huge amount of effort from the small club and the week's turnaround will be felt here. Huge commitment over small numbers will be felt, Expect Emo to pull away again by the end, 6+. Is young Hosey back fit? He loves getting a goal, will be a great addition along with young Costello close to goals.

A little bit off topic but would someone from Ballyroan on this forum be able to tell me how many of the Ballyroan senior panel are from Abbeyleix or are the majority of them from Ballyroan ?

I think Mark Cahill, Lawson Obular and Cathal Doyle are all Abbeyleix lads. After that I'm not too sure but I would assume the lads with the surnames Whelan, Gee and McWey are all Ballyroan.

Mark Cahill, Aaron Caroll, Aaron McEvoy, Lawson Obular all from Abbeylace..
Doyle from Ballyroan.

Think Keogh was injured, thats what I heard anyway.
Dean Brophy did play last night though, was he not at wing forward? Will they have Jason Campion back for championship, I was told last night he was abroad?
Both teams shooting wasn't hectic, which has been their weakness over the years. The kildare man kicked a few scores and will be a big help.
Also thought Diarmuid Whelan was back to his best position too at 14, scoring 2-6.

Opinions on the new format in football being potentially introduced?

https://www.laoistoday.ie/2022/01/04/laois-senior-football-championship-could-revert-to-group-format-for-next-season-as-proposal-in-place-to-reduce-to-12-teams-by-2024/

I was a fan of the four groups of 4 that was in place years ago, eliminates the "tough draw" scenario, for example Ballyfin were in relegation this year after losing closely to both the county finalists.

Also think the number 16 fits well as a structure, better than 12 that is being proposed. Will that consist of 2 groups of 6, or 4 groups of 3?

Looking forward to attending my first senior final in a while, since Stradbally stung the town (to my delight)

But i have to admit this will be my first time supporting Portlaoise in a county final!! Before I receive stick, I'll give you my reasoning.

I think if Port win this one, they could go on and dominate for few years as Portlaoise have done in the past. But I think if PL were to win, it might give the teams around Laois more confidence that they can actually lift the cup themselves.
Going by recent results - Emo & Courtwood have toppled the town. Joes and O'Dempseys had their chances too. And by all accounts Ballyroan Abbey are a coming team too that let the occasion get to them. All these teams will definitely fancy another crack at the town!

While on the flip side, Port have gotten to another Final, without really getting near their top-gear and without having to! Again I find this similar to the PL teams of the past. Only needing to perform when they had a final or a leinster campaign on their doorstep. Because of this I fancy Port to edge it, where their backs are able to hold the town's forwards better than the other way around.

PL 0-7 Port 0-10

Will try catch the junior final, not knowing much about either team. I think Barrowhouse "doggedness" in wintery conditions might be the deciding factor, due to the younger Ballyroan team.
Good to see strong names such as Whelan, Dunne and Mcweys for Ballyroan and Brennan and Langton for Barrowhouse still popping up on their teams.

B'house 1-13 Ballyroan 0-12

On a side note, why was the minor finals not played before the senior? No such thing as a minor playing senior anymore since the rule change!

Jesus, just seen the snapchats. Shocking, my view has completely changed. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, but to see players  mocking a great hurler and servant to Laois in this way is inexcusable.

I got the video in a Whatsapp group. Was disappointed it was not included in Laois Gaa highlights. It was a major incident in the game, should have been included.

Merman and SpeculativeEffort I haven't seen it in real time so I won't totally make my final judgement yet.
Just thought the condemning of the club and people suggesting that Laois CB not allow them advance onto Leinster Championship is a bit extreme.

First off I'm not from Camross or a hurling club at all. Secondly I wasn't at the county final, but this incident has grown legs. I (like most) have seen the video of the incident by now and thankfully it didn't match the reports I got from people at the game.
The player in question does warrant a red card for 2 very wild pulls around knee height but the incident that results in King's unfortunate and serious injury I believe not to be premeditated or to be on purpose.
From viewing the video again, Ross comes in to hit the Camross player a shoulder, (rightfully so in defence of his teammate who is on the receiving end of two shocking belts) but as he moves in the Camross player rises his hurl to protect himself from the shoulder but connects with the face of King.
Now I'm not saying that the player shouldn't have been sent off, he should have been. But I think the stories going around are a bit extreme. People have called Camross thugs and this was done on purpose, I genuinely don't believe that to be the case. They are a well known dogged and physical team who play to the edge but some of the comments made I find to be unfair. A bit like Arles Kilcruise or Crettyard, they're style of play is always hard and brings you into a battle, which usually these clubs come on top of.

I do agree that the referee has a lot to answer for. To only award a yellow card is insane. He acknowledges the "foul play" but doesn't punish it with what it deserves. Personally I would have sent him off for the first two swipes he made on the players legs,(No intention of playing the ball in either pull), and definitely would have for the action that resulted in King's injury. May have been an accident but still warrants a red.
Have to agree with posters, I was at the semi final where camross mentor ripped the helmet from a player and was shocked to see no action taken. That was my first time to see this referee. I was even more surprised to hear he was awarded the final. By all accounts he lost control of both matches.

Also the video I have seen was in super slow motion and not in real time. I can imagine it would look worse live from the stand. Just want to get my defence in before I might get bombarded with abuse.

heath v Graigue.... think the heath will sneak this too, were very impressive against Strad. have a nice mix of pace and especially power something Graigue lack up front excluding forbes
Ballylinan v Joes.... Going slightly with Ballylinan here, think they will relish beating Joes as they did a few years back, but all depends on how game is refereed. Can't afford to concede frees against Dan Dunne inside 50 yards.
Port v Ballyroan Abbey.... Broan to win it because of their full forward line. Port looked wasteful against an injury hit Killeen team. However saying that they will be flying all over the field. Should be a great game.
Portlaoise v O'Dempseys.... Thought the town would be convincing champions this year but I'd give OD more of a hope after seeing both teams in action. The town by 4 at least.

Ballyfin v Strad.... Strad to bounce back, should win once Moore is tied up and Begley to keep Finn quiet too. Strad by 6.
Killeen v Mountmellick.... Kingstons and Enright to put MM to the sword. Interesting to see what shape Killeen finish in with injuries a massive problem against Port.
Killeshin v Kilcruise.... Flip of a coin in this one. Youth v experience. Going with Arles by a score, they just know how to win in these battles.
Crettyard v Clonaslee.... Can't see anything but a Cretty win. Murphy to punish them from frees. Unlucky against Broan the first day, but great young player who will bounce back. Cretty by 6

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High Fielder I seriously take issue with that statement about P Mac, How can you call that man soft?? 10 Years of battling for his county, then to come back this year at the age of 34 with noting to gain? The man bleeds Laois football and BallyroanAbu has said one thing correct, if they were 15 players with the same metal of MacMahon, Laois would be far from Div 4, but unfortunately they deserve to be where they are.

Don't know about you but I feel our "bigger" players have lacked the desire or passion for a long time. Most of the players rather be seen walking around town in their Laois gear or posting on social media than f**king some pride in their jersey. Think it might be best for a big change up with the panel and get rid of this perception where lads think they're a lot better than what they are.

Things can't get much worse for us..... Hopefully

Firstly want to congratulate Stradbally on their great result against the town. No one gave them a hope, myself included, but hard work and never say die attitude resulted in a famous win for them. (Along with a bit of luck)

Just wanted to see what people made of the team of the year in the Leinster this week.

The main thing that stood out to me was the omission of Kingston, who should have been the first name on the teamsheet. Best Player in the county by some distance. Also thought Padraig MacMahon being overlooked at half back was very harsh, as he was outstanding in two games I saw him in, scoring 5 points I think. I suppose matter of opinion really. Wont argue against both Buggie and Begley collecting their awards as both were huge to Strads win. Comerford also has to get a mention too, very intelligent player from what i saw of him.

Some upsets after occurring so far this weekend. First time in a while I've made it to a few club games.
Ballylinan v Ballyroan Abbey last night had a fantastic last 20 minutes with Ballyroan playing some great football when down to 14, they really upped their work rate as Ballylinan faded out of the game and resorted to high aimless balls being pumped in on top of a very solid full back line for Ballyroan. Special mention to Ballyroan keeper who kept them in the game with some outstanding saves in the first half.
Portlaoise v Killeen was a fairly poor game, with Killeen resorting to parking the bus and hoping for Kingstons brilliance to keep them in the game. Portlaoise won fairly comfortably and never looked like they were in danger of losing. With Paul and Donie Brennan to come back again, hopefully it'll be a better contest if they meet again.
Missed the Emo V Ballyfin game, Emo up by 9 points at half time to lose by 8 with no notable wind is beyond belief. Any one any match report on this?
The Heath v Mountmellick Gaels was a huge surprise to me. The Heath who were fancier their chances to topple the town, now find themselves back in relegation. Credit to MM who played with huge intensity and hunger just blew a very lethargic Heath out of it. Some great scores from Mullins, while their midfield pinned the Heath back in their half for 10 mins. The second goal was the killer, as Grennan lobbed the keeper from about 15-20 metres out. It may have been accidental but it was splendid as it was important.
Going by the results thus far, besides Portlaoise any side could beat each other on any given day.

Killeen vs Port
The Heath vs Portlaoise
Clonaslee vs Stradbally
Emo vs Crettyard Gaels
Killeshin vs Arles Kilcruise
St. Joes vs Ballyfin Gaels
Graigue vs Ballylinan
Ballyroan vs MM
The standout tie for the first round has to be the clash of The Heath vs Portlaoise.Wouldn't be surprised if town were over turned as the Heath will see this as a much bigger game.
Killeen and Port another interesting tie. Be nice to see will a young Port side ever deliver a decent championship run but Kingstons will be too much.
Both Strad and Clonaslee will be happy with this draw. Loser likely to be in relegation.
Emo and Crettyard will be another tight game. Interesting to see if Emo can go again after being 10 mins from a massive shock last year.
Killeshin and Kilcruise should be a tight affair. Go either way.
Ballyfin and Josephs square off again after a mass brawl last year. Can see one of the top 2 reffing this.
Graigue and Ballylinan, can only see a win for Graigue but said that about O'Dempseys and ballylinan last year.
Ballyroan and MM. Evenly matched young teams.

Round 3 gets underway tonight with Crettyard vs MountMellick and Ballyroan Abbey vs Graiguecullen.
Both town teams are favourite but I wouldn't write off both crettyard and Ballyroan. Graigue and MM are "typical town teams", they can be irresistible or they can awful. Much relies on the first 20 mins of both games to see if they will be blow out or a competitive battle.

Tomorrow night, you have the stand out game between Port and Arles Kilcruise. Again Port fit the "typical town team" mould as evident in the contrast between both games against Stradbally. While Arles were good against neighbours Killeen only for some spectacular saves from Leigh they could be already through to a quarter final. Going with Kilcruise by 2.

Emo v Killeshin. Going to give the nod to the sash! Think they are a better team than they showed against portlaoise! Saying this if it comes down to a dogfight Emo might have more battle in them. Killeshin by 4