Group B Counties:
Laois
Ceatharlach
An Clár
Cill Chainnigh
Loch Garman
Áth Cliath
Round 1
25 January (Saturday)
Laois v Loch Garman, at 19:00
26 January (Sunday)
An Clár v Ceatharlach
Cill Chainnigh v Áth Cliath
Round 2
2 February (Sunday)
Áth Cliath v Laois, at 14:00
Ceatharlach v Cill Chainnigh
Loch Garman v An Clár
Round 3
15 February (Saturday)
Ceatharlach v Áth Cliath
16 February (Sunday)
An Clár v Laois, at 14:00
Loch Garman v Cill Chainnigh
Round 4
22 February (Saturday)
Áth Cliath v Loch Garman
Laois v Ceatharlach, at 19:00
23 February (Sunday)
Cill Chainnigh v An Clár
Round 5
1 March (Sunday)
An Clár v Áth Cliath
Laois v Cill Chainnigh, at 14:00
Loch Garman v Ceatharlach
Quarter Finals
7-8 March (Saturday & Sunday)
Relegation Play-Off
7 or 8 March (Saturday or Sunday)
Semi Finals
14-15 March (Saturday & Sunday)
Final
22 March (Sunday)
Extracted as accurately as I can from the "GAA Master Fixtures Schedule 2020."
3 homes games - Laois will be happy with that. First gsme under lights. Should be a cracker.
some great games to be looking forward to and exactly where laois need to be competing against them counties
The bare minimum expectation is that we win the carlow game in order to stay out of the relegation final
I hope to see Laois beat Carlow and give a very serious go at Dublin, again.
I see where Eanna Lyons is out for the season. Tough on the young lad but he sounds very positive about his situation and will be staying around the panel for the year.
How are things on the injury front with other players?
Quote from: Mossy Bruce on November 26, 2019, 10:26:57 PM
Group B Counties:
Laois
Ceatharlach
An Clár
Cill Chainnigh
Loch Garman
Áth Cliath
Round 1
25 January (Saturday)
Laois v Loch Garman, at 19:00
26 January (Sunday)
An Clár v Ceatharlach
Cill Chainnigh v Áth Cliath
Round 2
2 February (Sunday)
Áth Cliath v Laois, at 14:00
Ceatharlach v Cill Chainnigh
Loch Garman v An Clár
Round 3
15 February (Saturday)
Ceatharlach v Áth Cliath
16 February (Sunday)
An Clár v Laois, at 14:00
Loch Garman v Cill Chainnigh
Round 4
22 February (Saturday)
Áth Cliath v Loch Garman
Laois v Ceatharlach, at 19:00
23 February (Sunday)
Cill Chainnigh v An Clár
Round 5
1 March (Sunday)
An Clár v Áth Cliath
Laois v Cill Chainnigh, at 14:00
Loch Garman v Ceatharlach
Quarter Finals
7-8 March (Saturday & Sunday)
Relegation Play-Off
7 or 8 March (Saturday or Sunday)
Semi Finals
14-15 March (Saturday & Sunday)
Final
22 March (Sunday)
Extracted as accurately as I can from the "GAA Master Fixtures Schedule 2020."
Good job Mossy, well done..
Thanks, Junior Ex Laoistalk!
Pity about Joe Phelan leaving the panel. Thought he was very good last year against Dublin and held his own against Tipp. I suppose fro some of these lads who are not getting younger they had the year of their hurling lives last year. Winning Joe McDonagh, first big championship win in years, getting to play in Croke Park etc. Very hard to beat that so maybe go out on a high.
Quote from: redsetanta on January 23, 2020, 09:37:47 AM
Pity about Joe Phelan leaving the panel. Thought he was very good last year against Dublin and held his own against Tipp. I suppose fro some of these lads who are not getting younger they had the year of their hurling lives last year. Winning Joe McDonagh, first big championship win in years, getting to play in Croke Park etc. Very hard to beat that so maybe go out on a high.
Joe sort of flagged last year that his days were numbered. He might have struggled to get a starting place if all our backs were fit but given Lee Cleere's absence / injury we could do with him.
Are Dwayne Palmer or Leigh Bergin involved?
After the fallout from the county final you'd wonder would Dwayne Palmer coming back upset the camp. Lee Bergin would be a big plus if he was back.
In fairness we still have a decent panel of players but in reality maybe only 16 or 17 of those available are up to the standard required to go at the bigger teams. It will be a tough championship and any few injuries will have a huge effect on us.
Quote from: redsetanta on January 23, 2020, 01:59:20 PM
After the fallout from the county final you'd wonder would Dwayne Palmer coming back upset the camp.
County final? 2019 or 2018?
I think it was him who deliberately stamped on and broke Paddy Purcell's hurl in last year's final?
However, I'm sure it was the previous year's behaviour that's being referenced!
Yeh 2018. The photos from the night of the final.
Any word on a team for Saturday night?
Quote from: redsetanta on January 23, 2020, 07:44:54 PM
Yeh 2018. The photos from the night of the final.
They are big boys, I'm sure that they would all get over that. Would be a different story if talking about the perpetrator of the Ross King incident. The hurl stamping in this years semi was hardly a big deal. Gamesmanship and Purcell had the last laugh.
Starting against Wexford:
Enda Rowland
Liam Senior, Ryan Mullaney, Donnacha Hartnett
Jack Kelly, Padraig Delaney, Ciaran McEvoy
Fiachra C Fennell, Ciaran Comerford
Aaron Bergin, Paddy Purcell, James Ryan
Ross King, Willie Dunphy, Stephen Bergin
Laois! Laois! Laois!
Can anyone Please tell me what happend to mark Kavanagh ? Probably one of the best burners in the country taking frees. Is he injured or did he leave the panel ?
He's injured - or rather, getting a knee operation and hopes to be back for championship.
Also, see no sign of older lads like Matthew Whelan or Neil Foyle. Half the team, you could say, is new. However, that shouldn't necessarily be a problem if they have the right attitude and work ethic.
Mark Fanning; Simon Donohoe, Liam Ryan, Joe O'Connor; Damien Reck, Shaun Murphy, Paudie Foley; Kevin Foley, Jack O'Connor; Cathal Dunbar, Rory O'Connor, Aidan Nolan; Aidan Rochford, Conor McDonald, Paul Morris. Subs: James Lawlor, Shane Reck, Conor Firman, Conal Flood, Jack Cullen, Harry Kehoe, Liam Og McGovern, Andrew Shore, Seamus Casey, Gary Molloy, Michael Dwyer.
wexford not starting a few big names as well, still a very tough ask.
From what I heard Kavanagh long term is in trouble. He seemingly had a major op, a bone graph and he will have it all to do to be back for R/E let alone Laois.
Enjoyable game. Great comeback by Limerick.
Laois 2-16 v 2-27 Wexford.
First of all, that scoreline doesn't do us justice, but such is the game of hurling that a scoreline can be cruel none-the-less.
Laois were fantastic in the first half in particular and gave Wexford plenty of hurling and were unlucky not to be going in 2pts up instead of 2pts down. We seemed to lack another player or two who are confident enough to take a long range pop at a point, particularly when we have a breeze on our back. Wexford showed this in the last fifteen minutes by reeling off several long range points, though the breeze was gaining more momentum towards the full time whistle as the drizzle sprayed across the field.
Wexford's fitness and conditioning certainly showed in it's superiority over Laois from around 55mins onwards. Laois lads were getting weary and seemed energy sapped at that stage. However, compared to this time last year I think Laois look a bit better in this department. The game was played at near-championship pace and both teams served us up a good battling game despite the heavy underfoot conditions.
For Laois, Enda Roland's 1-01 was a joy to watch as was Willie Dunphy's goal. Who was it that robbed and lobbed the Wexford player before laying it off for Dunphy to score? Excellent skill! Dunphy had to pull a bit of magic too to finish it off. One of the nicest goals Laois have scored in OMP!
I felt Senior in the No.2 shirt was very good and he certainly is a prospect for the future. Delaney in the No.6 shirt did well for his debut there (don't recall him at No.6 in recent games). Paddy Purcell was very good and is an old reliable at this stage. Roddy was class in the first half, pity about his missed frees in the second half and he seemed quieter (but not totally quiet either).
Overall not a bad night at the races and I'd say Brennan is happy with the performance overall. Good crowd there tonight.
Quote from: G@@ on January 25, 2020, 10:11:41 PM
Laois 2-16 v 2-27 Wexford.
First of all, that scoreline doesn't do us justice, but such is the game of hurling that a scoreline can be cruel none-the-less.
Laois were fantastic in the first half in particular and gave Wexford plenty of hurling and were unlucky not to be going in 2pts up instead of 2pts down. We seemed to lack another player or two who are confident enough to take a long range pop at a point, particularly when we have a breeze on our back. Wexford showed this in the last fifteen minutes by reeling off several long range points, though the breeze was gaining more momentum towards the full time whistle as the drizzle sprayed across the field.
Wexford's fitness and conditioning certainly showed in it's superiority over Laois from around 55mins onwards. Laois lads were getting weary and seemed energy sapped at that stage. However, compared to this time last year I think Laois look a bit better in this department. The game was played at near-championship pace and both teams served us up a good battling game despite the heavy underfoot conditions.
For Laois, Enda Roland's 1-01 was a joy to watch as was Willie Dunphy's goal. Who was it that robbed and lobbed the Wexford player before laying it off for Dunphy to score? Excellent skill! Dunphy had to pull a bit of magic too to finish it off. One of the nicest goals Laois have scored in OMP!
I felt Senior in the No.2 shirt was very good and he certainly is a prospect for the future. Delaney in the No.6 shirt did well for his debut there (don't recall him at No.6 in recent games). Paddy Purcell was very good and is an old reliable at this stage. Roddy was class in the first half, pity about his missed frees in the second half and he seemed quieter (but not totally quiet either).
Overall not a bad night at the races and I'd say Brennan is happy with the performance overall. Good crowd there tonight.
Wexford were still very wasteful as well with their shooting in both halves. Definitely can't fault work rate of Laois. Wexford bringing a running game and backs attacking from deep carrying the ball. Definitely the conditioning between the two teams told towards last 15-20 minutes. A bit open down the centre at times but least we forget they're Leinster champions and will probably not far off come end of August. Here's hoping a few lads to come back from injury likes of John Lennon and Aaron Dunphy big losses. Roddie decent tonight but needed more help up front.
Quote from: G@@ on January 25, 2020, 10:11:41 PM
For Laois, Enda Roland's 1-01 was a joy to watch as was Willie Dunphy's goal. Who was it that robbed and lobbed the Wexford player before laying it off for Dunphy to score? Excellent skill! Dunphy had to pull a bit of magic too to finish it off. One of the nicest goals Laois have scored in OMP!
I felt Senior in the No.2 shirt was very good and he certainly is a prospect for the future. Delaney in the No.6 shirt did well for his debut there (don't recall him at No.6 in recent games). Paddy Purcell was very good and is an old reliable at this stage. Roddy was class in the first half, pity about his missed frees in the second half and he seemed quieter (but not totally quiet either).
It was Stephen Bergin who set up Dunphy. Beautiful skill. However, I fear he hasn't the physique to be consistently a top forward.
I agree, I thought Senior was good on his debut, and Delaney was OK in the centre. I'm sure they wanted Mullaney back on McDonald, but I think he's needed further out. Ciaran McEvoy wasn't bad, either. It's lad like him w/ the bit of size we need. Same w/ Frank Flannagan. They're both far from the finished article, however.
I can't say I thought Paddy Purcell had a good game, and James Ryan wasn't really at the races, either. Ross was on fire, and easily the most dangerous forward we had tonight.
But, as the previous posters said, admirable work rate. Wexford are strong, quick, and look good for the time of year.
Great commentary on the match there, lads. Thanks!
I had to work during all but the last 10 minutes of the match (then listened in on Midlands Radio). Read the Twitter feeds for the prior part of the match. It looks like the lads played a respectable match--with lots of news lads--and against Wexford, no less!
So can someone tell more about the circumstances of Enda Rowland's goal?
Felt Ciaran McEvoy was poor. Got roasted his side in the first half. James Ryan very poor also!.
I'm told Foyle gone off the panel. Management weren't happy with his conditioning. Was told to buck up or leave so he took the easy option like the other 9/10 players this year.
Decent enough performance but agree that Wexford were well ahead in fitness. Considering all the injuries and defections, you'd have to be happy. Roddy was excellent but I think there's more to come from several others.
Anyone know why PJ Scully is absent? Would have thought he'd be one lad well in the mix?
If Wexford had converted half their chances they would have put up
A huge score on us. It's going to tough with the current panel but we really need a lot of our senior players like paddy Purcell and Ryan to play better than they did tonight.
@GAA I'll have some of them happy pills your havin, & a pair of those rose tinted glasses too!!
Best goal in in o Moore Park?? It wasn't even the best goal tonight !!
We should have been bet by over 20 points tonight if it wasn't for Wexford's misses, they had over 50 shots at target!! And a lot of those you mentioned were very poor, except for roddy who was excellent, carried the load alone up front, we are still way off this level in fitness & hurling, is the hunger there for this level? Cha will be a huge loss for the year, picky also, or must be so so frustrating for Brennan as it is for the rest of us to continuously not have our best available.
Foyle is injured, he is still part of panel.
Senior, Ryan, Bergin x 2, comerford looked way off this level tonight, podge Delaney poor at centre back, midfield non existent, Willie dunphy, paddy Purcell poor,
Tough year ahead again, hopefully a few more regulars back in the team as injuries clear up, fitness & hurling stays rising
Thought hartnett hurled them sweeper role poorly,
Carlow is our big target to avoid relegation in the league.
Quote from: Mossy Bruce on January 25, 2020, 11:43:06 PM
So can someone tell more about the circumstances of Enda Rowland's goal?
He played a short puck-out to Mullaney, who passed back to him, and he walloped it up the field from about the 21 yard line. He was obviously going for a point, but it dropped short. I suppose the Wexford goalie wasn't expecting it to go as far, and because it was so high, he may have got caught by the glare of those lights. Or maybe he had too long to think about it. Or perhaps he was aware Ross was ready to pounce on any slip. In any case, he dropped it and it trickled over the line! My young lad and his friend were hoarse from laughing at it!
Quote from: Ogie on January 26, 2020, 12:52:29 AM
@GAA I'll have some of them happy pills your havin, & a pair of those rose tinted glasses too!!
Best goal in in o Moore Park?? It wasn't even the best goal tonight !!
We should have been bet by over 20 points tonight if it wasn't for Wexford's misses, they had over 50 shots at target!! And a lot of those you mentioned were very poor, except for roddy who was excellent, carried the load alone up front, we are still way off this level in fitness & hurling, is the hunger there for this level? Cha will be a huge loss for the year, picky also, or must be so so frustrating for Brennan as it is for the rest of us to continuously not have our best available.
Foyle is injured, he is still part of panel.
Senior, Ryan, Bergin x 2, comerford looked way off this level tonight, podge Delaney poor at centre back, midfield non existent, Willie dunphy, paddy Purcell poor,
Tough year ahead again, hopefully a few more regulars back in the team as injuries clear up, fitness & hurling stays rising
Thought hartnett hurled them sweeper role poorly,
Carlow is our big target to avoid relegation in the league.
Pulling no punches there, are you??!
It could also be argued that we had two decent goal chances that on another day would have gone in and two scoreable frees. The score line is the score line and ifs and maybes are irrelevant. The fact is that there wasn't really a whole lot in it until the last 15 or 20 minutes when the difference in fitness really told.
I forgot to mention Eoin Gaughan yesterday who did very well when he came on.
We seem to be hit with defections on a scale far greater than most counties. That applies across both codes. My personal feeling is that Laois lads probably have bigger problems getting work in Laois, and have to commute a lot further than most. That's just a hunch, and I have no data or evidence to back that up. Whatever is going on, the CB need to investigate why we are being stung so badly, because all the high profile managers in the world won't disguise or make up for the fact that we are struggling to keep lads interested.
Quote from: High Fielder on January 26, 2020, 10:02:10 AM
We seem to be hit with defections on a scale far greater than most counties. That applies across both codes. My personal feeling is that Laois lads probably have bigger problems getting work in Laois, and have to commute a lot further than most. That's just a hunch, and I have no data or evidence to back that up. Whatever is going on, the CB need to investigate why we are being stung so badly, because all the high profile managers in the world won't disguise or make up for the fact that we are struggling to keep lads interested.
Be interested to see where all these defectors and refuseniks work for starters and did they actually refuse to come in on work related grounds?
If it's in Dublin or cork or limerick or anywhere in between they have weak enough grounds to be refusing considering how close we are in comparison to others with the motorway system passing through Laois
I said it before and will say it again,you could add up the lads that can't or won't commit in all the other league 1A and B hurling counties and it won't surpass the Laois total.
And this is after the year we had last year and the best set up we've ever had in place.
I hope I'm wrong but we will be lucky if we win one game this year (league game v Carlow)
I think a commute to Dublin 5 days a week would be tough enough going. It's something we need to look at, whatever the reasoning is. There seems to be this revolving door policy with regards to commitment, and we cannot build anything with that sort of mentality. Some of the lads walking away are not replaceable.
I think its a shame that players wont commit...Hopefully they will regret it,i thought after last year more would commit.Its just typical in laoise you get a great setup,and this happens,shame on them players...
Quote from: Ogie on January 26, 2020, 12:52:29 AM
@GAA I'll have some of them happy pills your havin, & a pair of those rose tinted glasses too!!
Best goal in in o Moore Park?? It wasn't even the best goal tonight !!
We should have been bet by over 20 points tonight if it wasn't for Wexford's misses, they had over 50 shots at target!! And a lot of those you mentioned were very poor, except for roddy who was excellent, carried the load alone up front, we are still way off this level in fitness & hurling, is the hunger there for this level? Cha will be a huge loss for the year, picky also, or must be so so frustrating for Brennan as it is for the rest of us to continuously not have our best available.
Foyle is injured, he is still part of panel.
Senior, Ryan, Bergin x 2, comerford looked way off this level tonight, podge Delaney poor at centre back, midfield non existent, Willie dunphy, paddy Purcell poor,
Tough year ahead again, hopefully a few more regulars back in the team as injuries clear up, fitness & hurling stays rising
Thought hartnett hurled them sweeper role poorly,
Carlow is our big target to avoid relegation in the league.
I suppose we were very lucky Dublin hit those wides last year in OMP and that Tipp decided to take it easy on us in the AIQF. God forbid that Laois were actually able to hurl a decent game. Eddie Brennan out now.
Not a bit, but let's be realistic too & factual
We need our best 15 on the field all the time, especially at this level, missing 8 of last years team we don't have the strength in dept
Mentally & physically these games are coming too early for us, but of course it is a big learning curve.
Quote from: Ogie on January 26, 2020, 01:27:46 PM
Not a bit, but let's be realistic too & factual
We need our best 15 on the field all the time, especially at this level, missing 8 of last years team we don't have the strength in dept
Mentally & physically these games are coming too early for us, but of course it is a big learning curve.
Of course we do, but the fifteen that were there last night tried hard and probably punched a little above their weight in some quarters. I think Cha would have had an immense game last night if he were there.
Then again, if my auntie had balls she'd be my uncle and all that.
The squad that is there now is doing really well and look like they're on the right path.
Quote from: burdizzo on January 26, 2020, 09:13:17 AM
Quote from: Mossy Bruce on January 25, 2020, 11:43:06 PM
So can someone tell more about the circumstances of Enda Rowland's goal?
He played a short puck-out to Mullaney, who passed back to him, and he walloped it up the field from about the 21 yard line. He was obviously going for a point, but it dropped short. I suppose the Wexford goalie wasn't expecting it to go as far, and because it was so high, he may have got caught by the glare of those lights. Or maybe he had too long to think about it. Or perhaps he was aware Ross was ready to pounce on any slip. In any case, he dropped it and it trickled over the line! My young lad and his friend were hoarse from laughing at it!
Thanks, Burdizzo!
Quote from: G@@ on January 25, 2020, 10:11:41 PM
Laois 2-16 v 2-27 Wexford.
First of all, that scoreline doesn't do us justice, but such is the game of hurling that a scoreline can be cruel none-the-less.
Laois were fantastic in the first half in particular and gave Wexford plenty of hurling and were unlucky not to be going in 2pts up instead of 2pts down. We seemed to lack another player or two who are confident enough to take a long range pop at a point, particularly when we have a breeze on our back. Wexford showed this in the last fifteen minutes by reeling off several long range points, though the breeze was gaining more momentum towards the full time whistle as the drizzle sprayed across the field.
Wexford's fitness and conditioning certainly showed in it's superiority over Laois from around 55mins onwards. Laois lads were getting weary and seemed energy sapped at that stage. However, compared to this time last year I think Laois look a bit better in this department. The game was played at near-championship pace and both teams served us up a good battling game despite the heavy underfoot conditions.
For Laois, Enda Roland's 1-01 was a joy to watch as was Willie Dunphy's goal. Who was it that robbed and lobbed the Wexford player before laying it off for Dunphy to score? Excellent skill! Dunphy had to pull a bit of magic too to finish it off. One of the nicest goals Laois have scored in OMP!
I felt Senior in the No.2 shirt was very good and he certainly is a prospect for the future. Delaney in the No.6 shirt did well for his debut there (don't recall him at No.6 in recent games). Paddy Purcell was very good and is an old reliable at this stage. Roddy was class in the first half, pity about his missed frees in the second half and he seemed quieter (but not totally quiet either).
Overall not a bad night at the races and I'd say Brennan is happy with the performance overall. Good crowd there tonight.
No offence G@@ but you sound like a propaganda minister for the county board. I thought Laois were very very poor and we should have been beaten by 20+ points. We were charmed. We should have been 10 points down at half time. Amazing that with all the possession and running Wexford had that they didn't have a heap of goals and have us out of sight. They were hurling at 100 miles an hour and we were just chasing shadows. The worse thing that could happen is for Laois to believe that we were good enough at any point in that match, we were a distant second best.
My thoughts - first the negative and then the hopeful.
- Our hurling skills are miles off. None of our forwards can catch a ball unless they are completely unmarked. Our touch is woeful with the odd exception. We really miss the likes of Cha, Aaron Dunphy, John Lennon, Mark Kavanagh. At least 3 of the 4 will be back. Ross King was the only forward we had on Saturday night. Both our goals were highly fortuitous although the first was well finished.
- Our decision making with the ball in the hand is brutal. We are too easily turned over and our passing from the half back line into the forwards was just amateurish. Why pass it into space when you can pass it to a man with two Wexford lads stuck to him.
- I won't name names as it isn't fair but there are a good few lads who are not at inter county standard and are unlikely to be.
- We are tiny. I don't just mean physical conditioning but we don't have enough height. Wexford were monsters in comparison. If we even had one tall strong player that can catch a high ball in traffic it would make a huge difference. Wexford had about 8 of these players, we have none. And they were missing Lee Chin.
The hopeful.
- Some of our established players did well enough. Ross King was back to his very best. Jack Kelly won plenty of ball. Ryan Mullaney was influential. Enda Rowland is a brilliant keeper in every way possible. Podge Delaney has what it takes. Paddy Purcell showed glimpses but was poor on the night. They won't be able to carry this team though. We really need more players available just to stop annihilations.
- Liam Senior and James Keyes looked the part. Very young lads with very high skill levels and the temperament to match. Fiachra C Fennell had positive moments too and looks like he has something to add when he gains experience.
Laois looked jaded towards the end and they became very loose and sloppy. Wexford conditioning much better but they've been going longer with Fitz as opposed to Eddie in his second year.
Wexford are Leinster champs and were a puck of a ball from the AI final so lets be honest here.
Laois went toe to toe with them in the first half but as Brennan said himself they gassed out in the second half.
Big test for Laois against the Dubs next week. Dublin struggled against KK but they will be a huge test for Laois.
Quote from: redsetanta on January 27, 2020, 10:41:11 AM
Laois went toe to toe with them in the first half but as Brennan said himself they gassed out in the second half.
This did not happen. The media said this but it is about as far from true as possible. Somehow we were ahead on the scoreboard with a few minutes from half time but were in no way at the races.
I don't agree. Wexford took the two goal chances they had (the second of which came from a bad mistake from us rather than any particular brilliance on their side - just as our second goal came from a mistake on their side). Other than that, Rowland hadn't a lot to do. Wexford were certainly a much better team overall but to present this as some kind of annihilation is also not correct. There wasn't a lot in it until the last 20 minutes and I don't think it's right to simply dismiss that and conclude that we're not up to it.
I had a mass to go to on Saturday evening so couldn't make the start but I was driving to Portlaoise with about 10 minutes left in the first half and from listening to Jack Nolan they were giving as good as they got.
I read all the media reports and the usual Jack Nolan assessment. Absolute nonsense and had no basis in reality. We were absolutely terrible in comparison. At no point, regardless of the scoreboard, were we within an asses roar of Wexford. Couldn't win a ball, couldn't control a ball, couldn't pass a ball, couldn't defend the Wexford runners and relied on Ross King and the long ball from Rowland completely. I'm not saying this just to be negative. This was the worst display I have seen from Laois since Eddie took over. It will need to improve 200% to not get hammered in the other league games. Saying it as I saw it. I read some of the Midlands radio 3 / Laoistalk tweets during the match. None of them reflected the gulf between the teams. For those who weren't at the match, don't believe the hype. I saw that match as a hammering everywhere except on the scoreboard, where we still lost by a good bit.
The reason Rowland hadn't alot to do in first half (other than pull the ball out of the net twice), was because we successfully fouled them and got a few yellows, luckily.
I was at the match and don't follow Midlands and I would have a different view from you.
Wexford actually did more fouling than we did so I don't think that's the explanation for the fact that Rowland hadn't a lot to do.
I agree that the last 20 minutes were very poor but this was more about fitness than anything else. Wexford looked super fit for this time of year.
Laois V Dublin tomorrow in Dublin at 2pm:
Enda Rowland; Liam Senior, Ryan Mullaney, Donncha Harnett; Jack Kelly, Padraig Delaney, Ciaran McEvoy; Fiachra C Fennell, Ciaran Comerford; Aaron Bergin, Paddy Purcell, James Ryan; Ross King, Willie Dunphy, Stephen Bergin.
Laois 2-17 v 4-18 Dublin
Beaten by 7 points.
Very limited coverage on Midlands Radio 103.
Anyone at the game to give an insight.
Any reports on this lads? The Dublin start to both halves were obviously the deciding factors but just wondering how Laois faired in general.
Have little to add as I was listening on the radio / social media. From the sounds of it we weren't overwhelmed as we were against Dublin in the Walsh cup and Wexford last week.
Wonder if Ryan Mullaney and Liam Senior are ok? Noticed both were taken off. Last think we need is to lose backs.
Good to see John Lennon and Aaron Dunphy back.
They had clips of the goals on the TV last night. Couple of them quite preventable.
Kavanagh sorely missed for the free taking. As good as King is he missed a few relatively easy frees that I wouldn't see Kavanagh missing.
I agree on the free taking concerns. If Laois are to pull off a big scalp/be competitive in the Leinster championship we will need to take absolutely every chance presented.
Both matches were similiar for me anyway, Laois were ok at best in both but we are desperatly missing the lads who are out though injury and otherwise .We just dont have the numbers, Ross is a good player but he is alone in the forwards, Cha and Mark Kavangh are massive losses.
Also in both matches we fell off a cliff for the last 20 minutes or so, conditioning wise we are miles off.
There has been some bright spots but its just not enough to beat the better teams. We need the few new lads coming in and supplementing the team rather than coming in to make up the gaping holes left by experienced lads.
I would say Eddie is at his wits end with lads not committing, Its already been suggested there is no chance he is staying beyond this year.At this moment in time it seems last years success has meant nothing and brought us nowhere
Eddie had to be talked into staying I heard he was for the off a few weeks back
You could hardly blame him.
No where else would this lack of commitment take place.
In 3/4 Years time and we down in 2 or worse where Offaly are,at the minute in the championship.
We will rue the opportunity we had as a county.
Quote from: Unlaoised on February 04, 2020, 10:34:35 AM
Eddie had to be talked into staying I heard he was for the off a few weeks back
100% true, CB fault, players dug him out.
Quote from: clonadmad on February 04, 2020, 12:59:58 PM
You could hardly blame him.
No where else would this lack of commitment take place.
In 3/4 Years time and we down in 2 or worse where Offaly are,at the minute in the championship.
We will rue the opportunity we had as a county.
couldnt agree more
Lads, how is the county boards fault that so many strong hurlers won't commit? It is not as if the set up or funding isn't there. Surely the blame for the fact that almost nobody from Camross wants to hurl with Laois lies with Camross? Then when you look at the long list of Leigh Bergin, PJ Scully, Joe Campion, Cha Dwyer etc. etc. I would bet that what is most galling to Eddie is the number of capable players that don't want to play senior hurling. Simply can't be competitive in a small county unless everyone is in pushing for places.
I'm no fan of the county board but sometimes they are used (a bit like the government) to hide where the real accountability lies - with the clubs and the players themselves.
It is unfortunate, but you cannot force anyone to play and commit to demands of inter county hurling. The galling thing is last year under this set up they got themselves a shot at the top table which for a county which has been down for so long you would think everyone would get on board for a year or two to see where it would take them. That is all that really happened under Micko in football, he was no master tactician but every decent footballer in the county wanted to be apart of it and we won a Leinster title.
It would be very frustrating for all involved but we should not lose sight that there are players who are committing to the cause and we should get behind them and focus on those lads, not ones who are not there for whatever reason. Its nice to see the footballers starting the league well after a few people not committing this year. Management and players simply got on with it and seem to be building a nice team. Whatever happens this year I dont think Eddie Brennans reputation will be too badly affected, as everyone could see the impact he had last year.
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on February 04, 2020, 02:04:30 PM
Lads, how is the county boards fault that so many strong hurlers won't commit? It is not as if the set up or funding isn't there. Surely the blame for the fact that almost nobody from Camross wants to hurl with Laois lies with Camross? Then when you look at the long list of Leigh Bergin, PJ Scully, Joe Campion, Cha Dwyer etc. etc. I would bet that what is most galling to Eddie is the number of capable players that don't want to play senior hurling. Simply can't be competitive in a small county unless everyone is in pushing for places.
I'm no fan of the county board but sometimes they are used (a bit like the government) to hide where the real accountability lies - with the clubs and the players themselves.
Completely agree with you,nail on the head
I don't think anyone that's anyway informed on what's going is blaming the CB
They have done their very best in relation to the set up
Eddie Brennan and his management also can't be blamed for the year ahead.
The lads that don't want to commit and their clubs in certain circumstances are where the blame resides
I don't like seeing any of our teams under strength, but I could understand lads not wanting to go in. There's very little incentive to keep going back year after year. To those that do it, we are of course grateful, but I can think of many reasons why it wouldn't make much appeal. I would say that everything needs to be as close to perfect in your life to facilitate a long career in the GAA. We forget far too easily that the soccer players we look at every week get paid thousands and millions, and yet the lads we question on here get zilch. That doesn't sit easily with me, and I don't think amateur players deserve criticism for looking after the things in their life that are more meaningful to them
Quote from: High Fielder on February 04, 2020, 03:02:13 PM
I don't like seeing any of our teams under strength, but I could understand lads not wanting to go in. There's very little incentive to keep going back year after year. To those that do it, we are of course grateful, but I can think of many reasons why it wouldn't make much appeal. I would say that everything needs to be as close to perfect in your life to facilitate a long career in the GAA. We forget far too easily that the soccer players we look at every week get paid thousands and millions, and yet the lads we question on here get zilch. That doesn't sit easily with me, and I don't think amateur players deserve criticism for looking after the things in their life that are more meaningful to them
Its true lads have careers, families etc so its perfectly understandable if lads cannot commit but I dont buy the incentive thing this year, Laois are a lower league county and last year they were given a taste of playing some of the big teams and did not look out of place. You would think this was a huge incentive for players to get involved. It was not to be and hopefully Laois give a good account themselves but the feeling is it will be a missed opportunity and looking at our history these chances do not come around very often.
Maybe they felt that last year was as good as it gets? Realistically speaking, what is the most that could be achieved? I always think there's this misconception in GAA circles that if you train hard enough, then the sky's the limit. I don't buy that for a minute. There are so many variables that go into making a successful GAA team, and we negate many f them by being a dual county. We're a small county too, so defections are a bigger problem than in counties that could swallow that up. It's probably something that we're going to have to live with, and one day, the variables will be in our favour.
Quote from: High Fielder on February 04, 2020, 03:02:13 PM
I don't like seeing any of our teams under strength, but I could understand lads not wanting to go in. There's very little incentive to keep going back year after year. To those that do it, we are of course grateful, but I can think of many reasons why it wouldn't make much appeal. I would say that everything needs to be as close to perfect in your life to facilitate a long career in the GAA. We forget far too easily that the soccer players we look at every week get paid thousands and millions, and yet the lads we question on here get zilch. That doesn't sit easily with me, and I don't think amateur players deserve criticism for looking after the things in their life that are more meaningful to them
You suggesting pay for play?
Good luck with that because the minute you do that players are subject to employment law and can go to the highest bidder.
There's as much chance of the Laois lads winning an all ireland this year as Patrick Horgan,it doesn't diminish his level of commitment.
The lads that are on current panel are bursting themselves to stay competitive,those that didn't commit have left them in the lurch,that's the bottom line.
The mentality amongst many in this county is weak and soft.
Quote from: clonadmad on February 04, 2020, 02:38:22 PM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on February 04, 2020, 02:04:30 PM
Lads, how is the county boards fault that so many strong hurlers won't commit? It is not as if the set up or funding isn't there. Surely the blame for the fact that almost nobody from Camross wants to hurl with Laois lies with Camross? Then when you look at the long list of Leigh Bergin, PJ Scully, Joe Campion, Cha Dwyer etc. etc. I would bet that what is most galling to Eddie is the number of capable players that don't want to play senior hurling. Simply can't be competitive in a small county unless everyone is in pushing for places.
I'm no fan of the county board but sometimes they are used (a bit like the government) to hide where the real accountability lies - with the clubs and the players themselves.
Completely agree with you,nail on the head
I don't think anyone that's anyway informed on what's going is blaming the CB
They have done their very best in relation to the set up
Eddie Brennan and his management also can't be blamed for the year ahead.
The lads that don't want to commit and their clubs in certain circumstances are where the blame resides
Are the CB not the reason why he was going to walk? A demand not met?
Quote from: clonadmad on February 04, 2020, 04:02:42 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on February 04, 2020, 03:02:13 PM
I don't like seeing any of our teams under strength, but I could understand lads not wanting to go in. There's very little incentive to keep going back year after year. To those that do it, we are of course grateful, but I can think of many reasons why it wouldn't make much appeal. I would say that everything needs to be as close to perfect in your life to facilitate a long career in the GAA. We forget far too easily that the soccer players we look at every week get paid thousands and millions, and yet the lads we question on here get zilch. That doesn't sit easily with me, and I don't think amateur players deserve criticism for looking after the things in their life that are more meaningful to them
You suggesting pay for play?
Good luck with that because the minute you do that players are subject to employment law and can go to the highest bidder.
There's as much chance of the Laois lads winning an all ireland this year as Patrick Horgan,it doesn't diminish his level of commitment.
The lads that are on current panel are bursting themselves to stay competitive,those that didn't commit have left them in the lurch,that's the bottom line.
The mentality amongst many in this county is weak and soft.
Pay for play or incentives to play already exist on a scale well beyond our means or comprehension.
Nobody has been left in the lurch. To say that is to suggest that lads are duty bound to be in there. They are not.
It is not weak or soft to look after the things in life that mean the most to you. That can be family, job or health, or many other things for that matter. Unless there's a panel member on here, which I doubt, I don't think we are the right people to question commitment from behind a keyboard.
Quote from: portlaoisekid on February 04, 2020, 04:03:05 PM
Quote from: clonadmad on February 04, 2020, 02:38:22 PM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on February 04, 2020, 02:04:30 PM
Lads, how is the county boards fault that so many strong hurlers won't commit? It is not as if the set up or funding isn't there. Surely the blame for the fact that almost nobody from Camross wants to hurl with Laois lies with Camross? Then when you look at the long list of Leigh Bergin, PJ Scully, Joe Campion, Cha Dwyer etc. etc. I would bet that what is most galling to Eddie is the number of capable players that don't want to play senior hurling. Simply can't be competitive in a small county unless everyone is in pushing for places.
I'm no fan of the county board but sometimes they are used (a bit like the government) to hide where the real accountability lies - with the clubs and the players themselves.
Completely agree with you,nail on the head
I don't think anyone that's anyway informed on what's going is blaming the CB
They have done their very best in relation to the set up
Eddie Brennan and his management also can't be blamed for the year ahead.
The lads that don't want to commit and their clubs in certain circumstances are where the blame resides
Are the CB not the reason why he was going to walk? A demand not met?
It's nothing to do with the CB,he's pulling his hair out at the attitude amongst those who won't commit.
I wouldn't blame him if he walked
No outsider manager of consequence or substance would ever touch laois again.
We will be back to chasing the likes of Eamon Kelly and every other mercenary journey man manager all over again
Quote from: High Fielder on February 04, 2020, 04:17:13 PM
Quote from: clonadmad on February 04, 2020, 04:02:42 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on February 04, 2020, 03:02:13 PM
I don't like seeing any of our teams under strength, but I could understand lads not wanting to go in. There's very little incentive to keep going back year after year. To those that do it, we are of course grateful, but I can think of many reasons why it wouldn't make much appeal. I would say that everything needs to be as close to perfect in your life to facilitate a long career in the GAA. We forget far too easily that the soccer players we look at every week get paid thousands and millions, and yet the lads we question on here get zilch. That doesn't sit easily with me, and I don't think amateur players deserve criticism for looking after the things in their life that are more meaningful to them
You suggesting pay for play?
Good luck with that because the minute you do that players are subject to employment law and can go to the highest bidder.
There's as much chance of the Laois lads winning an all ireland this year as Patrick Horgan,it doesn't diminish his level of commitment.
The lads that are on current panel are bursting themselves to stay competitive,those that didn't commit have left them in the lurch,that's the bottom line.
The mentality amongst many in this county is weak and soft.
Pay for play or incentives to play already exist on a scale well beyond our means or comprehension.
Nobody has been left in the lurch. To say that is to suggest that lads are duty bound to be in there. They are not.
It is not weak or soft to look after the things in life that mean the most to you. That can be family, job or health, or many other things for that matter. Unless there's a panel member on here, which I doubt, I don't think we are the right people to question commitment from behind a keyboard.
We might as well give up then
Break all the hurleys and tell the kids not to bother
Eddie Brennan is a born winner and he has brought the attitude of a winner and last year he transformed the county and lads wouldn't commit.
You'd think this year some of them would want want to get on board but no.
My heart goes out to the lads bursting their bollocks every week for Laois,but they are on fools errand without everyone on board
In theory I'm 100% on your side clonadmad. But don't let the irony be lost on you. Eddie wouldn't drive down the road to train Laois for free. If he did, then his jumping up and down would be all the more meaningful.
Quote from: clonadmad on February 04, 2020, 04:22:54 PM
Quote from: portlaoisekid on February 04, 2020, 04:03:05 PM
Quote from: clonadmad on February 04, 2020, 02:38:22 PM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on February 04, 2020, 02:04:30 PM
Lads, how is the county boards fault that so many strong hurlers won't commit? It is not as if the set up or funding isn't there. Surely the blame for the fact that almost nobody from Camross wants to hurl with Laois lies with Camross? Then when you look at the long list of Leigh Bergin, PJ Scully, Joe Campion, Cha Dwyer etc. etc. I would bet that what is most galling to Eddie is the number of capable players that don't want to play senior hurling. Simply can't be competitive in a small county unless everyone is in pushing for places.
I'm no fan of the county board but sometimes they are used (a bit like the government) to hide where the real accountability lies - with the clubs and the players themselves.
Completely agree with you,nail on the head
I don't think anyone that's anyway informed on what's going is blaming the CB
They have done their very best in relation to the set up
Eddie Brennan and his management also can't be blamed for the year ahead.
The lads that don't want to commit and their clubs in certain circumstances are where the blame resides
Are the CB not the reason why he was going to walk? A demand not met?
It's nothing to do with the CB,he's pulling his hair out at the attitude amongst those who won't commit.
I wouldn't blame him if he walked
No outsider manager of consequence or substance would ever touch laois again.
We will be back to chasing the likes of Eamon Kelly and every other mercenary journey man manager all over again
Fact hurling is only going one way after this year im afraid ...
So sad when you see the seems against Dublin and Tipp last year ...the train journey to the Tipp game was like a throw back to laois under micko
Quote from: High Fielder on February 04, 2020, 04:32:46 PM
In theory I'm 100% on your side clonadmad. But don't let the irony be lost on you. Eddie wouldn't drive down the road to train Laois for free. If he did, then his jumping up and down would be all the more meaningful.
Maybe I'm misunderstanding the point, but I don't think this is a very fair comment.
In his tenure so far, he has made a huge contribution to lifting general interest in hurling in Laois. He has made a quite amazing difference to performance levels. I don't think it's unreasonable for him to be disappointed (or jumping up and down) when lads say they won't commit. As a manager it's hardly unreasonable to expect fellas' interest to grow when they can see what's possible. In our case, interest seems to have actually declined. That's just odd.
Playing sport at that level is not only about winning All-Irelands - only a handful make that honour each year. It's also about gaining the respect and admiration of people from your own community, it's about individual honours (like the All Star nominations) and it's about being the best that you can personally be and testing yourself against the so-called greats. There are still people talking about what the likes of Pat Critchley, John Taylor, PJ Cuddy and the likes did as players. They won no All-Irelands but their talent and contribution continues to be recognised by most people who saw them play.
The world is turning Giovanni. We cannot expect players to slavishly commit to county panels while managers are getting rewarded. Or at least if they choose not to commit, that they don't subject themselves to criticism. They have jobs and family lives to uphold. No criticism intended of Brennan at all. He has a job to do and his frame of reference is Kilkenny.
I see what you mean but I really don't think it would change the players' commitment if Eddie Brennan was doing it for free. Why should that matter to any player weighing up whether or not to play.
I agree though that if fellas decide not to play, there is no point in hammering them for that decision on websites. It's their decision and I think most people respect that. What people are wondering, and I think reasonably, is what lads need to make them interested in playing. If they don't want to play under Eddie Brennan, then I can't see any circumstance when a lad would play anyway? Surely money wouldn't solve that?
With the right work ethic, lads that are committed, even if they are less talented, will be much more effective anyway.
I think that the Intercounty scene is a bit of a mess. There are benefits, many of them, associated with playing for the bigger counties. Some of these are occupational, which is a roundabout way of offering financial incentives. The biggest incentive though is the opportunity to potentially win something. It's what made those Mayo lads come back every year. We have very little to offer, relatively speaking. Eddie doesn't speak the same language as those who are absent. He played for a team that were competitive every year, and in the current context, he gets rewarded for his work. Good luck to him, but this is Laois, not Kilkenny
Quote from: High Fielder on February 04, 2020, 04:32:46 PM
In theory I'm 100% on your side clonadmad. But don't let the irony be lost on you. Eddie wouldn't drive down the road to train Laois for free. If he did, then his jumping up and down would be all the more meaningful.
How much is Brennan getting paid then?
Without wishing to be disrespectful to Brennan or smart to you clonadmad, I would say he's being well looked after. Of course Inter County Managers don't get paid, so I'm assuming he drives a big diesel guzzler. Good luck to him. But he isn't doing this for the good of his own health.
Maybe someone in the CB needs to address this matter properly, rather than leaving it to speculation and bemoaning it in the end of year report. There's a live issue here and we seem to be particularly susceptible. There are good things going on right now in Laois GAA, but none of them matter if some of our best players are not on the pitch. I sincerely believe that it goes way deeper than getting the invite and turning it down.
Quote from: clonadmad on February 04, 2020, 04:22:54 PM
Quote from: portlaoisekid on February 04, 2020, 04:03:05 PM
Quote from: clonadmad on February 04, 2020, 02:38:22 PM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on February 04, 2020, 02:04:30 PM
Lads, how is the county boards fault that so many strong hurlers won't commit? It is not as if the set up or funding isn't there. Surely the blame for the fact that almost nobody from Camross wants to hurl with Laois lies with Camross? Then when you look at the long list of Leigh Bergin, PJ Scully, Joe Campion, Cha Dwyer etc. etc. I would bet that what is most galling to Eddie is the number of capable players that don't want to play senior hurling. Simply can't be competitive in a small county unless everyone is in pushing for places.
I'm no fan of the county board but sometimes they are used (a bit like the government) to hide where the real accountability lies - with the clubs and the players themselves.
Completely agree with you,nail on the head
I don't think anyone that's anyway informed on what's going is blaming the CB
They have done their very best in relation to the set up
Eddie Brennan and his management also can't be blamed for the year ahead.
The lads that don't want to commit and their clubs in certain circumstances are where the blame resides
Are the CB not the reason why he was going to walk? A demand not met?
It's nothing to do with the CB,he's pulling his hair out at the attitude amongst those who won't commit.
I wouldn't blame him if he walked
No outsider manager of consequence or substance would ever touch laois again.
We will be back to chasing the likes of Eamon Kelly and every other mercenary journey man manager all over again
I wholeheartedly agree but the reason he was going to walk was not player related,defo a CB issue
Is Sean Downey in with Laois this year? Seems to be going well at full back for Carlow IT. We could do with another option in the backs. Versatile hurler.
Eddie Brennan and his management team deserve serious credit for the job they are doing. We are reasonably competitive whilst being depleted. There have been a number of setbacks with injuries and lads not committing for various reasons but there has been no whining or excuses made. We have a great chance to cause an upset come champo with a fully squad.
Onwards and upwards
It's true. But will we have a full squad for championship? We were steeped last year was relatively injury-free, but this year is taking a different shape. Any news on Mullaney?
Some amount of players on the injury table:
Lee Cleere, Eric Killeen, Mark Kavanagh, Ryan Mullaney, Diarmuid Conway, Colm Stapleton, Stephen Bergin, Eanna Lyons, Liam Senior(?) Carlow match could be a struggle if we don't get lads back.
Laois scrapped very well yesterday and did plenty to frustrate Clare. Our passing in the first half was good but it wasn't a day for it. Disappointing that our forwards couldn't win any ball yesterday when it mattered. We are also holding onto the ball too long when we have it. Horrific conditions so hard to judge.
The main highlight for me was James Keyes. He has all the skills and attitude to make a big difference to Laois. I also thought Frank Flanagan and Diarmuid Conway did well enough given their experience and James Ryan, Fiacra C Fennell and Ciaran McEvoy are getting better with game time. These are all lads who weren't around last year.
Any word on the injuries from the weekend? The Carlow game is the big (only) game in this group for us. Even if we had beaten Clare we would still have had to beat Carlow to stay up.
Is Jack Kelly injured this weather, too?
One point win in what sounded like horrendous conditions, fair play to the lads in grinding out the win. Anyone with a match report?
Yes, the pitch was as bad as ever I've seen it - due, no doubt, to two u/20 football games during the week. Could the one last night not have been played on the Centre of Excellence? Eddie Brennan was right when he said the game probably shouldn't have been played.
However, good thing it was, the way it worked out. The heroes for Laois tonight were in the backs, with Donnacha Hartnett the pick of them. However, Matthew Whelan's experience shone through, and Podge Delaney did very well, too. In fairness, the back division easily outshone the forwards, where only Ross King excelled. The two Dunphys got points all right, but weren't up to their usual standards, and Paddy Purcell won a few frees, too, but it wasn't really a night for fancy play. A couple of goal chances went a begging for Laois - and one for Carlow at the very start - and both sides had a good few wides, with Rowland missing three long-rangers. Of course, Kavanagh missed that last free puck for Carlow, too, but I thought Laois just about deserved the win for the way they defended and fought for everything. Well done to them - job done for the league now. Here's hoping they can get a few bodies back for the championship.
Got a result. Could have and should have won by more.
Massively important win. Fair play to the entire panel and management. Most important game of the year played in horrendous conditions again.
Particularly impressive that so many new lads have stepped up and seem to have improved game to game. Fiachra C Fennell , Ciarán McEvoy and James Ryan have started every game. Liam Senior, Frank Flanagan and James Keyes have got a few matches under their belts.
We might not be world beaters but our ability to stay in division 1 year after year is impressive and important.
Good man Ross King again. Our best player in the league.
Frank Flanagan didn't play on Saturday. However, I accept your point - the ones you list certainly are improving and have the right attitude.
Kilkenny on Sunday at 2pm in O'Moore Park (if the pitch recovers this week). With the win over Carlow and two points on the board, the lads will be happy enough knowing we should be safe for another season of Division 1 hurling. (barring Carlow do the unthinkable and beat Wexford by a cricket score in Wx Park).
I've seen most of our games this league campaign and I think we are coming along and developing nicely as a unit. We are lacking a bit in attack and without Cha our deficiencies there are rather obvious. There will be a bit of interest in this game on Sunday as a novelty with Teacher Cody facing Student Brennan! I hope we can keep it more respectable than the 3-21 to 0-09 they ran out against Carlow.
The lads should be wanting to measure themselves against the de facto benchmark team in the land - Kilkenny have certainly set the standards that are there for teams to reach and while Laois are a bit back in the hunting pack, hopefully the lads can hurl well with the shackles off. Best of luck to them on Sunday.
Thanks Burdizzo. Have edited my post!
Any insights from those who attended? Wasn't in Portlaoise myself on Saturday.
Quote from: G@@ on February 24, 2020, 10:28:01 AM
Kilkenny on Sunday at 2pm in O'Moore Park (if the pitch recovers this week). With the win over Carlow and two points on the board, the lads will be happy enough knowing we should be safe for another season of Division 1 hurling. (barring Carlow do the unthinkable and beat Wexford by a cricket score in Wx Park).
I've seen most of our games this league campaign and I think we are coming along and developing nicely as a unit. We are lacking a bit in attack and without Cha our deficiencies there are rather obvious. There will be a bit of interest in this game on Sunday as a novelty with Teacher Cody facing Student Brennan! I hope we can keep it more respectable than the 3-21 to 0-09 they ran out against Carlow.
The lads should be wanting to measure themselves against the de facto benchmark team in the land - Kilkenny have certainly set the standards that are there for teams to reach and while Laois are a bit back in the hunting pack, hopefully the lads can hurl well with the shackles off. Best of luck to them on Sunday.
Kk aren't the de facto benchmark team in the land,
Tipp are the all ireland champions and bet Kk handy in the all ireland final,we gave them more of a game in the quarter final than kk did in the final.
Wexford and Limerick are the 2 form teams in league at the minute
All this deference to KK gets my goat.
Quote from: G@@ on February 24, 2020, 10:28:01 AM
With the win over Carlow and two points on the board, the lads will be happy enough knowing we should be safe for another season of Division 1 hurling. (barring Carlow do the unthinkable and beat Wexford by a cricket score in Wx Park)
Doesn't matter what Carlow do now. We are 100% safe as we have them on the head to head rule.
Quote from: SCFC on February 24, 2020, 12:57:34 PM
Quote from: G@@ on February 24, 2020, 10:28:01 AM
With the win over Carlow and two points on the board, the lads will be happy enough knowing we should be safe for another season of Division 1 hurling. (barring Carlow do the unthinkable and beat Wexford by a cricket score in Wx Park)
Doesn't matter what Carlow do now. We are 100% safe as we have them on the head to head rule.
If Carlow win and ourselves and Dublin lose then 3 teams will be tied on 2 points each. Head to head only applies when there are two teams tied. 3 or more teams tied means it goes to score difference.
If we win we are safe.
If Wexford win we are safe.
If Dublin win we are safe.
Quote from: clonadmad on February 24, 2020, 12:57:22 PM
Quote from: G@@ on February 24, 2020, 10:28:01 AM
Kilkenny on Sunday at 2pm in O'Moore Park (if the pitch recovers this week). With the win over Carlow and two points on the board, the lads will be happy enough knowing we should be safe for another season of Division 1 hurling. (barring Carlow do the unthinkable and beat Wexford by a cricket score in Wx Park).
I've seen most of our games this league campaign and I think we are coming along and developing nicely as a unit. We are lacking a bit in attack and without Cha our deficiencies there are rather obvious. There will be a bit of interest in this game on Sunday as a novelty with Teacher Cody facing Student Brennan! I hope we can keep it more respectable than the 3-21 to 0-09 they ran out against Carlow.
The lads should be wanting to measure themselves against the de facto benchmark team in the land - Kilkenny have certainly set the standards that are there for teams to reach and while Laois are a bit back in the hunting pack, hopefully the lads can hurl well with the shackles off. Best of luck to them on Sunday.
Kk aren't the de facto benchmark team in the land, (Over the last 100+ years they have won more All-Irelands than any one else and have competed in more finals, of course they are the de facto benchmark)
Tipp are the all ireland champions and bet Kk handy in the all ireland final,we gave them more of a game in the quarter final than kk did in the final. (we did in our holes. Maybe on the scoreboard. Tipp had several training sessions the same weekend they played us. There is even a rumour they had one on the same day. They were never worried by us, you can be sure they were nervous about Kilkenny. To suggest we were at the same level as KK last year is a fantasy).
Wexford and Limerick are the 2 form teams in league at the minute
All this deference to KK gets my goat. (Clearly, but reality is reality. If we get within 10 points of them next weekend it will be viewed as an achievement).
Quote from: Zooming around on February 24, 2020, 01:22:35 PM
Quote from: SCFC on February 24, 2020, 12:57:34 PM
Quote from: G@@ on February 24, 2020, 10:28:01 AM
With the win over Carlow and two points on the board, the lads will be happy enough knowing we should be safe for another season of Division 1 hurling. (barring Carlow do the unthinkable and beat Wexford by a cricket score in Wx Park)
Doesn't matter what Carlow do now. We are 100% safe as we have them on the head to head rule.
If Carlow win and ourselves and Dublin lose then 3 teams will be tied on 2 points each. Head to head only applies when there are two teams tied. 3 or more teams tied means it goes to score difference.
If we win we are safe. We won't. Will struggle to get 15 fit hurlers onto the pitch.
If Wexford win we are safe. They will. Wexford are flying and want a league title. Carlow are struggling with form and injuries
If Dublin win we are safe. It won't matter
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on February 24, 2020, 01:25:06 PM
Quote from: Zooming around on February 24, 2020, 01:22:35 PM
Quote from: SCFC on February 24, 2020, 12:57:34 PM
Quote from: G@@ on February 24, 2020, 10:28:01 AM
With the win over Carlow and two points on the board, the lads will be happy enough knowing we should be safe for another season of Division 1 hurling. (barring Carlow do the unthinkable and beat Wexford by a cricket score in Wx Park)
Doesn't matter what Carlow do now. We are 100% safe as we have them on the head to head rule.
If Carlow win and ourselves and Dublin lose then 3 teams will be tied on 2 points each. Head to head only applies when there are two teams tied. 3 or more teams tied means it goes to score difference.
If we win we are safe. We won't. Will struggle to get 15 fit hurlers onto the pitch.
If Wexford win we are safe. They will. Wexford are flying and want a league title. Carlow are struggling with form and injuries
If Dublin win we are safe. It won't matter
I agree with Your opinions and they are probably correct but I was merely pointing out the facts of the matter.
Sorry to be pedantic, but Dublin have 4 points, since they beat both Laois and Carlow. Thus, Laois can't be relegated, no matter what happens next week.
There's a relegation final also between bottom of 1a and 1b to decide which team goes down
Quote from: burdizzo on February 24, 2020, 02:21:07 PM
Sorry to be pedantic, but Dublin have 4 points, since they beat both Laois and Carlow. Thus, Laois can't be relegated, no matter what happens next week.
Yes, of course. My mistake. We're safe regardless which is ideal as management can now try a few things if they want.
No pressure at all going into Sundays game so I can see us winning by 2 points. All the pressure is on KK
Quote from: Zooming around on February 24, 2020, 01:22:35 PM
Quote from: SCFC on February 24, 2020, 12:57:34 PM
Quote from: G@@ on February 24, 2020, 10:28:01 AM
With the win over Carlow and two points on the board, the lads will be happy enough knowing we should be safe for another season of Division 1 hurling. (barring Carlow do the unthinkable and beat Wexford by a cricket score in Wx Park)
Doesn't matter what Carlow do now. We are 100% safe as we have them on the head to head rule.
If Carlow win and ourselves and Dublin lose then 3 teams will be tied on 2 points each. Head to head only applies when there are two teams tied. 3 or more teams tied means it goes to score difference.
If we win we are safe.
If Wexford win we are safe.
If Dublin win we are safe.
Dublin have 4 points. We cannot be relegated.
Quote from: SCFC on February 25, 2020, 01:24:07 PM
Quote from: Zooming around on February 24, 2020, 01:22:35 PM
Quote from: SCFC on February 24, 2020, 12:57:34 PM
Quote from: G@@ on February 24, 2020, 10:28:01 AM
With the win over Carlow and two points on the board, the lads will be happy enough knowing we should be safe for another season of Division 1 hurling. (barring Carlow do the unthinkable and beat Wexford by a cricket score in Wx Park)
Doesn't matter what Carlow do now. We are 100% safe as we have them on the head to head rule.
If Carlow win and ourselves and Dublin lose then 3 teams will be tied on 2 points each. Head to head only applies when there are two teams tied. 3 or more teams tied means it goes to score difference.
If we win we are safe.
If Wexford win we are safe.
If Dublin win we are safe.
Dublin have 4 points. We cannot be relegated.
Correct. See above
Kilkenny V Laois most likely now to take place in Nolan Park at the request of Laois - still to be confirmed though...
The RTE site has it down as Nowlan Park I see. Its still strange seeing Laois are going to play Kilkenny in hurling, I know its a big ask for us to get close to them but its still great that Laois can test themselves agains one of the top teams.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/results/gaa/2020/6196/fixtures/ (https://www.rte.ie/sport/results/gaa/2020/6196/fixtures/)
And I presume next year we'll get the home tie? Or do we get the gate receipts from this one?!! I take it the footballers aren't conceding home advantage to Kildare on Saturday night? They may lay off playing them u20 football games at OMP.
It's no harm. It was never a game we were going to win and the experience will do some of the younger hurlers no harm either.
Doubt the pitch will be any better for the footballers Saturday night but it's that bit easier to play football than hurling on it.
Could it not have been played somewhere else in Laois such as Borris, Errill etc.
It's not as if it will attract a bumper crowd.
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe it has something to do with media facilities and the like. I don't know. But it used to be great to go to league matches in venues like Rathdowney and Borris in the past.
We're playing them in Nowlan park later in the summer aren't we? Could just be an easy way to get a run out there.
Can't complain about the performance today. Unlucky not to have scored two goals in the first half only for the heroics of the KK sub goalkeeper. Very unusual lapse in concentration from Kilkenny to gift us that penalty. 1-19 to 3-22 is a decent score to run up against Kilkenny in Nolan Park. Good crowd there
Was that an almost full strength Kilkenny side? Or did they rest a few? 1-19 is indeed a nice score to run up on them.
Hopefully we get a few players back from injury in time for championship. We'll probably need everyone if we're to scrape a win from somewhere and avoid the drop straight back to Joe McDonagh.
Where have you been for the last 24 hours?! There's no relegation from Joe McDonagh this year. And, yes - Kilkenny without their Ballyhale players.
Is that the level of our ambitions?
Running up a decent score against a team who are probably 3rd or 4th in the country when they have the ballyhale crowd and Murphy on board,which they didn't have today.
We are a mile behind behind Kilkenny and I fear what they,Wexford and Galway will do to us in the Leinster championship when the ground is hard and they need to boost their scoring differences.
Quote from: clonadmad on March 01, 2020, 07:27:07 PM
Is that the level of our ambitions?
Considering that it is the highest tally we put up against them since 1972 in either League or Championship that team deserves to be applauded for not dropping the heads after being unlucky to find themselves 11pts down at half time.
Making excuses for Kilkenny not having the Ballyhale contingent is a deflection. We were down a good few through injury aswell.
The attitude of this team deserves all the platitudes paid their way. If they continue to progress as they have been they will make the other Leinster counties work damn hard to get a "big score win" over us. We are not Carlow.
Quote from: G@@ on March 01, 2020, 08:41:27 PM
Quote from: clonadmad on March 01, 2020, 07:27:07 PM
Is that the level of our ambitions?
Considering that it is the highest tally we put up against them since 1972 in either League or Championship that team deserves to be applauded for not dropping the heads after being unlucky to find themselves 11pts down at half time.
Making excuses for Kilkenny not having the Ballyhale contingent is a deflection. We were down a good few through injury aswell.
The attitude of this team deserves all the platitudes paid their way. If they continue to progress as they have been they will make the other Leinster counties work damn hard to get a "big score win" over us. We are not Carlow.
What did we beat Carlow by again?
We are a lot closer to carlow than we are to Kk at this moment in time
Grasping the highest tally since 1972 straw is laughable,We were bet and well bet.
Quote from: clonadmad on March 01, 2020, 09:14:11 PM
Quote from: G@@ on March 01, 2020, 08:41:27 PM
Quote from: clonadmad on March 01, 2020, 07:27:07 PM
Is that the level of our ambitions?
Considering that it is the highest tally we put up against them since 1972 in either League or Championship that team deserves to be applauded for not dropping the heads after being unlucky to find themselves 11pts down at half time.
Making excuses for Kilkenny not having the Ballyhale contingent is a deflection. We were down a good few through injury aswell.
The attitude of this team deserves all the platitudes paid their way. If they continue to progress as they have been they will make the other Leinster counties work damn hard to get a "big score win" over us. We are not Carlow.
What did we beat Carlow last weekend,by again?
We are a lot closer to carlow than we are to Kk at this moment in time
Grasping the highest tally since 1972 straw is laughable,We were well bet.
Quote from: clonadmad on March 01, 2020, 09:14:11 PM
What did we beat Carlow by again?
We are a lot closer to carlow than we are to Kk at this moment in time
Grasping the highest tally since 1972 straw is laughable,We were bet and well bet.
How did Carlow fare against Kilkenny on their home soil - you know that same Kilkenny team without their Ballyhale contingent?
We're not bet out the gates by any stretch of the imagination today. There was 5 scores between us (2-03). Laois are improving under Brennan, the days of twenty point hammerings are thankfully rarer and rarer.
We do though have a bad habit of performing poorer against lower ranked teams and a good habit lately of competing with higher ranked ones. With continued improvements we'll eventually sink another big gun or two within a season.
Wasn't at this match today but Laois are definitely improving under Eddie Brennan. With all the injuries and defections, I wasn't expecting a lot but they've done well in my opinion. You can't ignore putting a good score up against Kilkenny and from what I heard we might have had another goal or two.
Quote from: G@@ on March 01, 2020, 09:34:57 PM
Quote from: clonadmad on March 01, 2020, 09:14:11 PM
What did we beat Carlow by again?
We are a lot closer to carlow than we are to Kk at this moment in time
Grasping the highest tally since 1972 straw is laughable,We were bet and well bet.
How did Carlow fare against Kilkenny on their home soil - you know that same Kilkenny team without their Ballyhale contingent?
We're not bet out the gates by any stretch of the imagination today. There was 5 scores between us (2-03). Laois are improving under Brennan, the days of twenty point hammerings are thankfully rarer and rarer.
We do though have a bad habit of performing poorer against lower ranked teams and a good habit lately of competing with higher ranked ones. With continued improvements we'll eventually sink another big gun or two within a season.
So much wishful thinking on this post
Brennan will be gone after this year
And we won't sink anyone next year never mind this year
Harsh there Clonadmad. We are aiming to establish ourselves as a team capable of being competitive in a Division 1 format. We have been competitive at times, and there have been positives, including scoring 1-19 today.
The key thing will be what happens as regards injuries over the next 6/8 weeks. Fellas who I didn't think could hurl at intercounty level have survived in Division 1. If we can get some of our injured heavyweights back to bolster the efforts of the past few weeks there is every chance we can put in a couple of big performances this Summer.
Quote from: clonadmad on March 01, 2020, 11:28:56 PM
So much wishful thinking on this post
Brennan will be gone after this year
And we won't sink anyone next year never mind this year
At least my wishful thinking cancels out your constant negativity. Anyone listening to you would think the best thing to do is to rip up Brennan's contract, use the money saved to send Roddy and the boys on a summer long session and encourage all the young lads in Laois to celebrate July the 12th by creating a bonfire out of every hurl in the county.
I just hope that you are not let within an asses roar of managing any juvenile team in Clonad or further a field. You'd suck the life out any ambition they'd have. It's because of attitudes like yours that we historically have been under achievers. Probably the same attitude permeates many of those players that won't hurl for the county. Negativity begets negativity. Black cat - black kitten: be wiser with your words.
Quote from: G@@ on March 02, 2020, 01:13:50 AM
Quote from: clonadmad on March 01, 2020, 11:28:56 PM
So much wishful thinking on this post
Brennan will be gone after this year
And we won't sink anyone next year never mind this year
At least my wishful thinking cancels out your constant negativity. Anyone listening to you would think the best thing to do is to rip up Brennan's contract, use the money saved to send Roddy and the boys on a summer long session and encourage all the young lads in Laois to celebrate July the 12th by creating a bonfire out of every hurl in the county.
I just hope that you are not let within an asses roar of managing any juvenile team in Clonad or further a field. You'd suck the life out any ambition they'd have. It's because of attitudes like yours that we historically have been under achievers. Probably the same attitude permeates many of those players that won't hurl for the county. Negativity begets negativity. Black cat - black kitten: be wiser with your words.
You dont really believe he is from Clonad do you?
So much despair and negativity to add to all the other despair and negativity in the world!!
My read on the league was more positive but I do believe we are in for a very tough championship. Some thoughts:
- We played the league with a significant number of our starting team from 2019 either injured or missing (Lee Cleere, Ryan Mullaney 50%, Jack Kelly in and out, Matthew just back, Mark Kavanagh, Aaron Dunphy in and out and then our long term injuries and absentees Cha, Eanna Lyons and retiree Joe Phelan). We have beaten Carlow which was a massive result and blooded a load of new players who are contributing (Liam Senior, Fiachra C Fennell, James Keyes, Ciarán McEvoy, Frank Flanagan) as well as giving game time to players who are returning (James Ryan and Cian Taylor).
- We didn't get hammered by anyone really. Yes, this might be a low bar but given how many were missing and the standard of opposition you would have to be happy enough with that.
I would say that Dublin again are the most realistic shot we have at taking a scalp this year. We won't be afraid of them. The other teams will probably beat us easily on dry summer sod. We simply don't have enough of the 'hurling athletes' that the likes of Wexford, Galway and Kilkenny have. Given the size of our hurling pick, the relatively young profile of our players and our underage performance compared to these teams it will be no surprise. We are not in the same league. You need a panel of 25 seriously good hurlers for the round robin as it is attritional which won't suit us. Therefore I am always satisfied when we give everything we have and play with pride and to our potential as we did last year and in spots this year so far. At least teams will have to dig deep to beat us. Not being defeatist, just saying it as I see it.
It will also be controversial to suggest this but I think it was potentially a bad decision to allow the Leinster championship to increase by one team in 2021. I really enjoy the matches against Westmeath, Kerry, Carlow, Offaly and Antrim. Nice to get a shot at playing the big teams but until you are truly at the level of the top teams it would be great if you could have a bit of both - a chance to play against teams of your own level in competitive matches and a shot at a couple of Liam McCarthy teams if you are successful. That is why last year was so enjoyable. A two tier round robin where you are hoping to beat the upcoming McDonagh winners and then getting well beaten by all of the 'permanant' Liam McCarthy teams isn't particularly appealing.
Quote from: burdizzo on March 01, 2020, 06:31:20 PM
Where have you been for the last 24 hours?! There's no relegation from Joe McDonagh this year. And, yes - Kilkenny without their Ballyhale players.
Eoin Cody is Ballyhale, isn't he? And Darren Mullen.
Quote from: G@@ on March 02, 2020, 01:13:50 AM
Quote from: clonadmad on March 01, 2020, 11:28:56 PM
So much wishful thinking on this post
Brennan will be gone after this year
And we won't sink anyone next year never mind this year
At least my wishful thinking cancels out your constant negativity. Anyone listening to you would think the best thing to do is to rip up Brennan's contract, use the money saved to send Roddy and the boys on a summer long session and encourage all the young lads in Laois to celebrate July the 12th by creating a bonfire out of every hurl in the county.
I just hope that you are not let within an asses roar of managing any juvenile team in Clonad or further a field. You'd suck the life out any ambition they'd have. It's because of attitudes like yours that we historically have been under achievers. Probably the same attitude permeates many of those players that won't hurl for the county. Negativity begets negativity. Black cat - black kitten: be wiser with your words.
Tell you what
Go and tell a few Hurling people from outside the county about Laois running up their best total since 1975 against Kk
And watch them breaking their holes laughing at you.
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on March 02, 2020, 10:05:07 AM
So much despair and negativity to add to all the other despair and negativity in the world!!
My read on the league was more positive but I do believe we are in for a very tough championship. Some thoughts:
- We played the league with a significant number of our starting team from 2019 either injured or missing (Lee Cleere, Ryan Mullaney 50%, Jack Kelly in and out, Matthew just back, Mark Kavanagh, Aaron Dunphy in and out and then our long term injuries and absentees Cha, Eanna Lyons and retiree Joe Phelan). We have beaten Carlow which was a massive result and blooded a load of new players who are contributing (Liam Senior, Fiachra C Fennell, James Keyes, Ciarán McEvoy, Frank Flanagan) as well as giving game time to players who are returning (James Ryan and Cian Taylor).
- We didn't get hammered by anyone really. Yes, this might be a low bar but given how many were missing and the standard of opposition you would have to be happy enough with that.
I would say that Dublin again are the most realistic shot we have at taking a scalp this year. We won't be afraid of them. The other teams will probably beat us easily on dry summer sod. We simply don't have enough of the 'hurling athletes' that the likes of Wexford, Galway and Kilkenny have. Given the size of our hurling pick, the relatively young profile of our players and our underage performance compared to these teams it will be no surprise. We are not in the same league. You need a panel of 25 seriously good hurlers for the round robin as it is attritional which won't suit us. Therefore I am always satisfied when we give everything we have and play with pride and to our potential as we did last year and in spots this year so far. At least teams will have to dig deep to beat us. Not being defeatist, just saying it as I see it.
It will also be controversial to suggest this but I think it was potentially a bad decision to allow the Leinster championship to increase by one team in 2021. I really enjoy the matches against Westmeath, Kerry, Carlow, Offaly and Antrim. Nice to get a shot at playing the big teams but until you are truly at the level of the top teams it would be great if you could have a bit of both - a chance to play against teams of your own level in competitive matches and a shot at a couple of Liam McCarthy teams if you are successful. That is why last year was so enjoyable. A two tier round robin where you are hoping to beat the upcoming McDonagh winners and then getting well beaten by all of the 'permanant' Liam McCarthy teams isn't particularly appealing.
Completely agree with you as regards our championship prospects
To be anyway even competitive
We needed absolutely everyone on board
This hasn't happened and we've won the one match I said we would win all year.
Dublin will be gunning for us this year and there won't be any surprises
The other 3 won't be letting up,given how Galway messed up on scoring difference when they played Carlow last year.
Quote from: clonadmad on March 02, 2020, 01:59:53 PM
Tell you what
Go and tell a few Hurling people from outside the county about Laois running up their best total since 1975 against Kk
And watch them breaking their holes laughing at you.
Ah, insecurities - that explains it.
Tell you what, if you think people are laughing at the efforts of the Laois hurlers then the problem is with them. To ridicule anyone for hurling for their county or their supporters is a very juvenile thing to do. Soccer bandwagonism comes to mind - small man mentality.
I was at the 10 goal concession to Cork. I was in OMP last July when we overcame Dublin. I'll never stop supporting any young man who gives the two fingers to smack and crack to 'don the Blue and White and hurl to the best of their ability.
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on March 02, 2020, 10:05:07 AM
It will also be controversial to suggest this but I think it was potentially a bad decision to allow the Leinster championship to increase by one team in 2021. I really enjoy the matches against Westmeath, Kerry, Carlow, Offaly and Antrim. Nice to get a shot at playing the big teams but until you are truly at the level of the top teams it would be great if you could have a bit of both - a chance to play against teams of your own level in competitive matches and a shot at a couple of Liam McCarthy teams if you are successful. That is why last year was so enjoyable. A two tier round robin where you are hoping to beat the upcoming McDonagh winners and then getting well beaten by all of the 'permanant' Liam McCarthy teams isn't particularly appealing.
I actually agree on this. 6 teams in Leinster will create a cship within a cship. 4 teams competing and 2 trying not to be relegated. The top tier will be diluted and theres a very real danger of 2 teams merely aiming to stay up. Vibrant games v Wm, Kerry, Offaly, Carlow followed by a shot at 3rd placed team in Leinster suits Laois/Carlow etc better than 5 matches in 6 weeks against tier 1 without a deep panel. GAA have no plan for hurling and merely trade in kneejerk reaction changes to rules and structure changes.
Quote from: G@@ on March 02, 2020, 06:15:43 PM
Quote from: clonadmad on March 02, 2020, 01:59:53 PM
Tell you what
Go and tell a few Hurling people from outside the county about Laois running up their best total since 1975 against Kk
And watch them breaking their holes laughing at you.
Ah, insecurities - that explains it.
Tell you what, if you think people are laughing at the efforts of the Laois hurlers then the problem is with them. To ridicule anyone for hurling for their county or their supporters is a very juvenile thing to do. Soccer bandwagonism comes to mind - small man mentality.
I was at the 10 goal concession to Cork. I was in OMP last July when we overcame Dublin. I'll never stop supporting any young man who gives the two fingers to smack and crack to 'don the Blue and White and hurl to the best of their ability.
There's only one currency which counts in hurling and it no some stupid fact that you try to dress up as some class of a moral victory
It's called winning
Kk and the rest will never respect us till we do just that against them.
Quote from: clonadmad on March 02, 2020, 08:14:54 PM
Kk and the rest will never respect us till we do just that against them.
Do you think this is likely in the near or even distant future? We have 8 senior clubs, 4 of which have shared all county titles in the last fifteen years or so. We have not won a Leinster minor or U21 since god knows when. The only county that has ever bucked the playing population trend has been Offaly. That was a complete anomaly that never happened before and probably never will again with a huge amount of quality hurlers coming from one tiny area of a county. Therefore my expectations for Laois hurling are that they keep improving and do the best with what we have. Although I would absolutely love to see Laois win a Leinster or god-forbid an All-Ireland, it probably won't happen unless population dynamics in Laois swing massively. I will always support our hurlers if they are doing their best with what they have. In particular we have been very good at surviving the doldrums (division 2 etc.) and are the best hurling county with a comparable hurling population at the moment.
Quote from: SCFC on March 02, 2020, 11:39:46 AM
Quote from: burdizzo on March 01, 2020, 06:31:20 PM
Where have you been for the last 24 hours?! There's no relegation from Joe McDonagh this year. And, yes - Kilkenny without their Ballyhale players.
Eoin Cody is Ballyhale, isn't he? And Darren Mullen.
Fair enough. But Reid and Fennelly still to come.
Slightly agree w/ blueandwhite about the championship scenario, but if we can hang in there it just might lift us a bit. Who knows. But, imagine we beat Dublin this year - or any year! - and they couldn't go down?!
A massive population rise won't necessarily mean we have a better hurling team: what we need is for more clubs to cater for the game.
Quote from: burdizzo on March 03, 2020, 10:22:43 AM
Slightly agree w/ blueandwhite about the championship scenario, but if we can hang in there it just might lift us a bit. Who knows. But, imagine we beat Dublin this year - or any year! - and they couldn't go down?!
A massive population rise won't necessarily mean we have a better hurling team: what we need is for more clubs to cater for the game.
Agree completely. When I say population I mean hurling population rather than absolute numbers. General population in Laois has been rising very fast but I doubt that our hurling population has grown proportionally.
Quote from: burdizzo on March 01, 2020, 06:31:20 PM
Where have you been for the last 24 hours?! There's no relegation from Joe McDonagh this year. And, yes - Kilkenny without their Ballyhale players.
Laois without players but it was more or less a KK second string....yes without Joey Holden, TJ Reid, Colin Fennelly Adrian Mullen from Ballyhale but also Cillian Buckley, Eoin Murphy, Conor Fogarty, Richie Hogan, John Donnelly, Paddy Deegan.