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GAA Discussion => Local GAA Discussion => Laois => Topic started by: Tony on June 07, 2016, 10:54:46 AM

Title: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 07, 2016, 10:54:46 AM
Time for a new thread so, as we enter the All-Ireland qualifiers series after the loss to Dublin in the Leinster Championship.

We face Armagh in Portlaoise on the 18/19 June - a massive game for both teams.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 07, 2016, 11:05:37 AM
Was just going to do that Tony, you beat me to it..    ;D

It's a great draw which should keep the lads focused, definitely the draw of the round. If we can do all the good things we did against Dublin and learn from the mistakes like tuning in straight from the start we could win this one.

Worse thing is that Joe Brolly's remarks will have Armagh baying for blood so I expect a tough game but home advantage will stand to us. Hopefully that brave performance against Dublin will bring out a bit of support for the lads as we are going to need every advantage we can get.

(http://cdn-04.independent.ie/incoming/article34760752.ece/030fa/AUTOCROP/w620/Joe-Brolly.jpg)
Joe Brolly: 'Spineless' Armagh board know what I said is true
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/joe-brolly-spineless-armagh-board-know-what-i-said-is-true-34774137.html (http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/joe-brolly-spineless-armagh-board-know-what-i-said-is-true-34774137.html)

Revealed! Draw made for Round 1 of the All-Ireland football qualifiers
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/revealed-draw-made-for-round-1-of-the-allireland-football-qualifiers-34778338.html (http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/revealed-draw-made-for-round-1-of-the-allireland-football-qualifiers-34778338.html)

Air of unreality finds Laois between Rock ... and a hard place
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/eugene-mcgee-air-of-unreality-finds-laois-between-rock-and-a-hard-place-34774868.html (http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/eugene-mcgee-air-of-unreality-finds-laois-between-rock-and-a-hard-place-34774868.html)



We also need more of this kind of controlled aggression.. JOL please note:
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/watch-bernard-brogan-gets-pulverised-with-a-shoulder-by-laois-kevin-meaney-34775585.html (http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/watch-bernard-brogan-gets-pulverised-with-a-shoulder-by-laois-kevin-meaney-34775585.html)
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Heshs Umpire on June 07, 2016, 12:29:28 PM
Thank God we got a tough draw. For me, the nightmare scenario would have been getting one of the weakest teams. Time for our lads to stand up and be counted now against an Armagh team that will be looking for a decent qualifier run and also to reverse the league result from earlier in the year.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on June 07, 2016, 01:32:16 PM
Anyone hear that we might be loosing a couple of players to America? I hope it is just a rumour and not true.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on June 07, 2016, 01:49:27 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 07, 2016, 10:54:46 AM
Time for a new thread so

We could have started this thread when the draw was made last year......

I too applaud the bravery of our players on Saturday but am not at all surprised.

The problem was the ridiculous levels of disorganization. Again it was a case of working it out as they went along. When to shoot, when and where to run, when to pass, who to pass to, when to track back, how to tackle were all made up during the game. We got our blanket defence going in the second half (although still gave WAY too much space) once Dublin were out of sight. Anyone, including Mick Lillis, that thinks the second half is a good reflection of where we really are and that 'only for the 2 early goals there was nothing between the sides' is completely delusional. Did anyone notice how easily Dublin tagged on a few points once we closed the gap? I still think that we are a complete shambles but I don't blame the players one bit. Not one of them gave less than 100%.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 07, 2016, 02:32:53 PM
I thought it was an excellent performance in the 2nd half from Laois.
I dont think Dublin took their foot of the gas that much.
Facing into a 11 point deficit without our main man at the start of the 2nd half
with 16k dubs influencing the ref, i thought 20 point min defeat
But they fought like dogs and counter attacked quite well.
TBH i think if Kerry had given 2 goals up in the 1st 5 mins and had David Moran
sent off they would have been beaten by 11 too ..

Lillis knows hes out of his depth and the setup hasnt been up to the levels it should have been
this year but there are good footballers there. Would like to see what cunningham can do with
that team next year if he stays ..

We are well capable of beating Armagh, thats for sure.. we'll lose a few to America no doubt .. this
is happening to all but the top teams these days ..

Throw in 3.30 on Saturday 18th OMP .. another gem by croke park cronies ..
Everyone will still be watching the Ireland match .. there will be no one there
And its on RTE ..



Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: redsetanta on June 07, 2016, 04:49:47 PM
Will be changed to an evening throw in if they have any sense at all.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 07, 2016, 07:11:40 PM
Absolutely shambolic if that's not changed (and it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't). Have they any concept of reality or common sense up there at all.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Faugheen on June 07, 2016, 11:01:04 PM
I doubt it, it is being shown on RTE so id say that they are calling the tune  >:(
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Uisce on June 08, 2016, 09:14:10 AM
Absolute madness to have that game clashing with the Belgium game, you would presume that they surely realised the clash and proceeded anyway so it won't be changed now. Hard to know who is to blame on this one!

Re players going to America, heard the same thing so reckon we will be down at least one starter from the last day!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 08, 2016, 12:30:34 PM
Why is it always the smaller counties like laois, carlow etc that have to put up with a scheduling headache like that? Do you think kerry, Dublin or cork would be scheduled at the same time as Ireland in the euros? Of course not. Even if they put it back to 4.15or 4.30 that'd be fine. If it's an Rte issue, just put a re run of murder she wrote or barney the dinosaur at 3.30.  Surely they have a bit of cop on. Unless Ireland are losing 10-0, nobody is going to watch laois armagh and the laois supporters who also follow Ireland in soccer will have to compromise unnecessarily. Annoyed but not surprised.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on June 08, 2016, 02:11:09 PM
Today's Irish star give the reason why it can't be played at 4 or 4-30. If this is true this tops the whole thing off. Laois v Armagh is to be shown on RTE1 and if the game went to extra time RTE1 would not be able to show the angelous!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: redsetanta on June 08, 2016, 02:34:35 PM
Sorry, which paper did you read that in?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on June 08, 2016, 02:48:15 PM
Ha ha ffs, I thought this aspect of the GAA had died away (not bending a knee to foreign sports).  They have no clue sometimes. Imagine your a shop owner or publican (or anyone who makes a few bob on match days)  in Portlaoise who make a nice few bob any day their is a decent crowd heading to O'Moore Park. You hear the first round game against the Dubs is being moved out of Croke Park, happy days you think only to find out the powers that be have moved it to Nowlan Park in Kilkenny. What the f*ck you think, but you say to yourself well the Gaa is a business so they have to maximise their profits but will surely repay us down the line for this shafting.
Then you hear the draw for the first round qualifiers, at home v Armagh. Not exactly a headline grabbing game but should bring out the guts of 15 to 20 thousand people flocking through the town...oh wait more like one thousand if your lucky, as their is a huge sporting event taking place in France which clashes with it, as the GAA don't really care about your business or spreading the wealth. They only care about their pockets and the bloody Angleus (please tell me that aint true, its like a sketch off the savage eye). You actually could not write that
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on June 08, 2016, 03:17:00 PM
It's in today's Irish Daily Star about the angelous. I can't believe it's true but that's what they're reporting. Surely they'll see sense and o something about it. If it stays as it is they'll be down thousands on the gate.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Andy06 on June 08, 2016, 03:30:35 PM
You have to laugh!
If the RTE and GAA only had a brain cell between them...

You would think in this day and age they would have a bit of cop on to:
A) Not have it clash with the biggest Irish sporting event in 4 years (RTE)
B) Have it on at time that would suit the most people who would be willing to attend (GAA), any pleb doing up a bit of statistics in either building could see this is either Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 08, 2016, 04:29:54 PM
Another 2 fingers to Laois gaa. Its not just the supporters. What about the players?
They want to see their country play at such a huge sporting event. It could be 20
years before we get back to one again.
The stadium will be empty. How is that fair to the team.
If it was on at 7pm or Sunday 3 pm it would pull a good crowd.
A lot of Laois supporters who havent been out to see them this year would come out
after their brave 2nd half performance against Dublin..
Any wonder people are getting more and more disillusioned ..
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Redhand Santa on June 08, 2016, 04:41:19 PM
Quote from: Andy06 on June 08, 2016, 03:30:35 PM
You have to laugh!
If the RTE and GAA only had a brain cell between them...

You would think in this day and age they would have a bit of cop on to:
A) Not have it clash with the biggest Irish sporting event in 4 years (RTE)
B) Have it on at time that would suit the most people who would be willing to attend (GAA), any pleb doing up a bit of statistics in either building could see this is either Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon.

The gaa have signed a contract with television companies who get their first choice of games. They want this one. So with that in mind when do you propose playing the game?

At 7 pm Mayo play Galway on sky in the semi final so no clash can be made with that. You've suggested Sunday afternoon but that would clash with other gaa games on tv and Armagh minors play in Clones so Armagh won't agree to play that day. 5pm Saturday might have been the solution. But RTE may have said no if they have another euro game at 5 and don't want sport on both channels when the news etc would normally be on.

The gaa are in a bit of no win situation on this one. Only solution is if rte allowed them to move it slightly later. Either as much as people love to shout disgrace over everything I don't think the gaa are that badly in the wrong here.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: muppet on June 08, 2016, 04:49:28 PM
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_rv8FDZqA2E/hqdefault.jpg)

Houl' on, Houl' on! This..is...an....absolight....dusss.....gray.....assss!

Three posters on this thread have mentioned the 'Angelus' and NONE of them have the correct spelling. Hi!

Tony Fearon must be turning in his tomb.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 08, 2016, 05:21:34 PM
Sorry I'm missing the logic here Santa.  RTE thinks it's fine to show Laois/Armagh and an Ireland soccer match at the same time in the in the afternoon but it wouldn't agree to staging a GAA match at the same time as Iceland v Portugal or some other shit that same evening??? And the GAA thinks its fine to almost guarantee an empty stadium for its games while at the same time ensuring that noone will be watching it on telly either.

I don't happen to think that they're idiots but it's really getting hard to understand some these decisions.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: smcder on June 08, 2016, 08:47:10 PM
i'm sure with the tv agreements the GAA don't get a say. RTE have no other time that they can show it, because of SKY's game on Saturday and RTE's games on Sunday. The only way the game could be played at another time would be if RTE didn't show it. Blame RTE i'd say not the GAA for this one.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: armaghniac on June 08, 2016, 10:07:56 PM
Quote from: smcder on June 08, 2016, 08:47:10 PM
i'm sure with the tv agreements the GAA don't get a say. RTE have no other time that they can show it, because of SKY's game on Saturday and RTE's games on Sunday. The only way the game could be played at another time would be if RTE didn't show it. Blame RTE i'd say not the GAA for this one.

The GAA makes the TV agreements!  There is no point blaming anyone else.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Redhand Santa on June 08, 2016, 10:15:39 PM
Quote from: Giovanni on June 08, 2016, 05:21:34 PM
Sorry I'm missing the logic here Santa.  RTE thinks it's fine to show Laois/Armagh and an Ireland soccer match at the same time in the in the afternoon but it wouldn't agree to staging a GAA match at the same time as Iceland v Portugal or some other shit that same evening??? And the GAA thinks its fine to almost guarantee an empty stadium for its games while at the same time ensuring that noone will be watching it on telly either.

I don't happen to think that they're idiots but it's really getting hard to understand some these decisions.

My point was that rte might be happy to show sport on both it's channels mid afternoon but may not be keen later on when the 6 news etc is on. The euro game is already fixed at 5 and they will be showing it no matter what, that means they perhaps don't want the gaa at 5.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: armaghniac on June 08, 2016, 10:26:38 PM
Quote from: Redhand Santa on June 08, 2016, 10:15:39 PM
Quote from: Giovanni on June 08, 2016, 05:21:34 PM
Sorry I'm missing the logic here Santa.  RTE thinks it's fine to show Laois/Armagh and an Ireland soccer match at the same time in the in the afternoon but it wouldn't agree to staging a GAA match at the same time as Iceland v Portugal or some other shit that same evening??? And the GAA thinks its fine to almost guarantee an empty stadium for its games while at the same time ensuring that noone will be watching it on telly either.

I don't happen to think that they're idiots but it's really getting hard to understand some these decisions.

My point was that rte might be happy to show sport on both it's channels mid afternoon but may not be keen later on when the 6 news etc is on. The euro game is already fixed at 5 and they will be showing it no matter what, that means they perhaps don't want the gaa at 5.

This isn't a strong excuse. RTE has +1 channel than doesn't open until 7 which is doing nothing.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Don Draper on June 09, 2016, 08:36:06 AM
Armagh and Laoismen in agreement. This unsettles me greatly. Quick, someone mention Billy Sheehan.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Dave like the tv channel on June 09, 2016, 08:42:08 AM
Quote from: Don Draper on June 09, 2016, 08:36:06 AM
Armagh and Laoisman in agreement. This unsettles me greatly. Quick, someone mention Billy Sheehan.

Who?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 09, 2016, 09:41:05 AM
I assume the reason that RTE can't show the match at the same time as the Sky match is that Sky's contract required that RTE couldn't sell competing matches to rival broadcasters, right?

And speaking of money, this thing of players being poached from inter-county teams by the promise of dollars in New York is outrageous. I learned only a few weeks ago how much can be involved for the players (the really big names are paid more) and, at those rates, you couldn't blame the players. It's sickening to be honest.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Butch Cassidy on June 09, 2016, 11:05:14 AM
Anyone missing from training this week or is everyone on board for the qualifiers?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: steven seagal on June 09, 2016, 11:16:15 AM
QuoteAnyone missing from training this week or is everyone on board for the qualifiers?


Evan O'Carroll gone to the States, Evan Costello dropped himself off the panel, Gary Walsh apparently had what could be deemed a 'disagreement' with management over his substitution at half time and has either left of his own accord, or been dropped, depending on who you talk to.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: redsetanta on June 09, 2016, 11:51:24 AM
None of that surprises me. Gary doesn't do authority.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 09, 2016, 12:05:31 PM
A pity about Gary Walsh. I doubt he would have been substituted if it hadn't been for the sending off.

Is Evan O Carroll going to the Donegal club in New York by any chance?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 09, 2016, 02:12:12 PM
Not sure why players show up all year for training only to go to the states after losing a non - embarrassing, decent performance match to the all-ireland champions. Why show up at all if you're going to do that? Anyway, must get on with it now.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 09, 2016, 03:34:30 PM
They're going because clubs in New York are offering players in region of 10-20 grand to play football (depending on the profile in the game) plus a job for the summer plus flights plus accommodation in NY looked after.

I find it outrageous that the GAA are able to turn a blind eye to professionalism in one small part of their association, particularly when it is being practiced to the detriment of county boards in Ireland who are investing big money into their team preparations. When Seanie Johnson went to Kildare there was (rightly) uproar. But there's not a squeak about counties like ours losing players every summer.

I'm not a big fan of rule changes in the GAA but I do think that international transfers should only be allowed after the end of the All-Ireland series in Ireland if a member of a county panel is involved.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: joemamas on June 09, 2016, 04:01:50 PM
Quote from: Giovanni on June 09, 2016, 03:34:30 PM
They're going because clubs in New York are offering players in region of 10-20 grand to play football (depending on the profile in the game) plus a job for the summer plus flights plus accommodation in NY looked after.

I find it outrageous that the GAA are able to turn a blind eye to professionalism in one small part of their association, particularly when it is being practiced to the detriment of county boards in Ireland who are investing big money into their team preparations. When Seanie Johnson went to Kildare there was (rightly) uproar. But there's not a squeak about counties like ours losing players every summer.

I'm not a big fan of rule changes in the GAA but I do think that international transfers should only be allowed after the end of the All-Ireland series in Ireland if a member of a county panel is involved.

The amount of players that are offered 10k could be counted on one hand. (it is still wrong). There are only five senior clubs in New York Championship.
So it is the money alone that is drawing these guys to the U.S.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 09, 2016, 04:29:18 PM
Gary Walsh has always been a bit temperamental. I'm sure he was frustrated being substituted.
Pity he's left, he can be excellent on his day.
OCarroll is a huge loss .. again was taken off early but he could be a massive player.
Would really develop in the qualifier if we got a run going ..
Can see how lads heads are turned to spend a summer in the states but either
they shouldnt commit for the year if they know they are gonna go over there or
the gaa should bring in a rule you have to be finished in the qualifiers before you can transfer
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 09, 2016, 05:08:33 PM
GAA can bring in what rules they like but they have created this mess. They don't give a shite about counties like Laois, and we've seen that over the last couple of weeks. Give these lads something meaningful to play for and they might show more interest. Laois or the GAA don't own these lads, so good luck to them. At the end of the day, they probably play more practice games than competitive matches, so what's to stick around for?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 09, 2016, 07:02:48 PM
Have to agree with you on that one Huey, we don't own them at all and maybe the prospect of playing in the states with money coming in is too much of an opportunity to reject. I just wish they could do both - play for Laois till season's end and then have something to look forward to after. Joe Brolly talks a lot of nonsense but he's onto something when he says that we don't treat our players properly - they are the most important part of the GAA.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on June 09, 2016, 08:32:34 PM
Hard to blame anyone for heading abroad for some travel and easy money, but like Tony says, why do they bother joining up with the panel at all? the GAA should make rules that players can only do a foreign transfer once every 3 years or so. At least that way they are committing to it one way or another and everyone knows where they stand. Although its an amateur organisation the money going through it needs to looking after players better, players are the worse treated considering how much they give. Why not give money to winners of competitions, league and championship, dont know what figures would be realistic but you would need a league structure so teams lower down can win their section and get a few bob. Something is wrong if the prospect of a few thousand quid in New York is more attractive than playing for your county. When you see the hundreds of thousands counties spend on teams each year its hard to think we cannot come up with a better system.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: armaghniac on June 09, 2016, 09:31:25 PM
If you had a rake of money, it would be great craic to pay the New York players to come to Ireland at the time of their championship, see if they like it.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 09, 2016, 11:42:38 PM
Tweet from Gary Walsh:



Gary Walsh ‏@PsychoWalsh  · 2h2 hours ago 

I have not left the Laos panel I was dropped , Thanks for all the messages & best of luck to the players vs Armagh


(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CkibHEnWYAAGXWl.jpg)



Gary Walsh 'gutted' after Laois axing
http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0609/794471-gary-walsh-slams-laois/ (http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0609/794471-gary-walsh-slams-laois/)
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 10, 2016, 12:08:48 PM
For sure, you can't blame the players for taking advantage of these opportunities. I am aware of 5 players (all from the western half of the country) offered big money to play in New York this summer (all by the same team). Add to that wages, flights and  all the rest an it's easy to see how it is so attractive, particularly for players from counties like Laois or Armagh.

Instead of continually mucking around with the rules of the game, it might serve them better to stop that carry on.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Dave like the tv channel on June 10, 2016, 12:34:53 PM
GOOD: They go on the panel because of the honour.
BAD: They go on the panel because it raises their own profile and makes them more marketable.

GOOD: They head to the States because their county season is over and they're at a loose end.
BAD: They go because they're getting loads of cash, regardless of where the county is.

GOOD: When they go it raises the international profile of the game, as better players are being seen abroad.
BAD: The GAA don't give a flying f*** about Laois and the rules are changed, so their coffers are lined, while smaller counties suffer.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: joemamas on June 10, 2016, 01:23:12 PM
Quote from: Giovanni on June 10, 2016, 12:08:48 PM
For sure, you can't blame the players for taking advantage of these opportunities. I am aware of 5 players (all from the western half of the country) offered big money to play in New York this summer (all by the same team). Add to that wages, flights and  all the rest an it's easy to see how it is so attractive, particularly for players from counties like Laois or Armagh.

Instead of continually mucking around with the rules of the game, it might serve them better to stop that carry on.

OK, I know you are new to the board, but when you make a point like that just name the county in Ireland and team in NY.

BTW, welcome
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: angermanagement on June 10, 2016, 01:57:18 PM
Where does all the big clubs in New York get the money from to pay the players? are all the clubs doing it? Have they all rich business men signing the cheques.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 10, 2016, 02:06:11 PM
I don't think it's right to name names when I'm an anonymous user myself.

The high profile players and their counties will be easily identifiable from the team sheets of the NY clubs.

The source of the money is local businessmen (some of whom put huge amounts into it). However, not all clubs have the same access to that kind of money so I don't think everyone is all that happy in NY either.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 10, 2016, 02:14:17 PM
Another big issue is that its demoralizing for squad too when they see some of their
best players leaving when they are still involved in the championship.
Would O'Carroll have hung around if we had by some miracle beaten Dublin.
Can lads heads be 100% in it if they are thinking of going to america a few days
after the expect to lose a game ..

The only way to deal with it properly is you cant play in america until your county is out of the championship.

on the bigger issue the championship structures just arent fit for purpose anymore ..
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 10, 2016, 03:13:38 PM
The GAA would have an absolute cheek telling lads they can't go to America. They are sitting in Croke Park claiming nice salaries. These lads are free to come and go as they please, and it wasn't Saturday or January 1st that we knew our summer would be a blowout. The GAA are presiding over the most undemocratic sport I can think of. They don't care about this. Whether they like it or not, they have to find ways to redress the huge imbalances that exist in the GAA, be they numerical or financial.

In this day and age, people are not buying into the romance of the GAA, the community, the parish, the do it for the jersey bullshit you hear. They want some bang for their buck, reward for their effort. These lads are going out to enjoy themselves, play a bit of ball and earn a few quid. Good luck to them. Laois may or may not beat Armagh. The winners of that game may or may not win their next round. Does it really matter in the overall scheme of things? It's a sideshow for the bigger parties in August, a way of justifying this pitiful circus that is the GAA. If we had balls as a county, we'd make a stand and ask the GAA to think of changes that allow us to be competitive every single year. Keep going as we are and we'll be reduced to nothing.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on June 10, 2016, 03:36:55 PM
Every day I'm getting sicker and sicker of the GAA and the way that they treat us and other smaller counties. I'm slowly falling out of love with the GAA. It's so demoralizing. I'll still go to Laois games but won't be going to any other inter- county games.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: joemamas on June 10, 2016, 04:55:22 PM

Two very  thoughtful and accurate responses above.
As mentioned earlier there appears to be an unusually high level of apathy among genuine GAA supporters.
If we were seven weeks on from here, we would most likely be talking about the shitty crowds in Croke Park on the August Bank holiday weekend, (Dublin will be playing the weekend after). Will they give say ten or fifteen thousand tickets to kids from div 3 and 4 counties just to half fill the place, not a chance.

It seems like the GAA is being run by bean counters who may gloat that revenues are up X% year over year due to increased revenue from TV and other sources, while the ordinary clubs and fans and the general promoting of the games is being forgotten about. I am afraid it is well on its way to becoming all about jobs and salaries for administrators, provincial councils etc.


Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Dave like the tv channel on June 10, 2016, 07:35:01 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on June 10, 2016, 03:13:38 PM
The GAA would have an absolute cheek telling lads they can't go to America. They are sitting in Croke Park claiming nice salaries. These lads are free to come and go as they please, and it wasn't Saturday or January 1st that we knew our summer would be a blowout. The GAA are presiding over the most undemocratic sport I can think of. They don't care about this. Whether they like it or not, they have to find ways to redress the huge imbalances that exist in the GAA, be they numerical or financial.

In this day and age, people are not buying into the romance of the GAA, the community, the parish, the do it for the jersey bullshit you hear. They want some bang for their buck, reward for their effort. These lads are going out to enjoy themselves, play a bit of ball and earn a few quid. Good luck to them. Laois may or may not beat Armagh. The winners of that game may or may not win their next round. Does it really matter in the overall scheme of things? It's a sideshow for the bigger parties in August, a way of justifying this pitiful circus that is the GAA. If we had balls as a county, we'd make a stand and ask the GAA to think of changes that allow us to be competitive every single year. Keep going as we are and we'll be reduced to nothing.

As a matter of interest, do we know what the salaried people in Croker are on?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Downtheroad on June 11, 2016, 12:33:06 AM
I think this thread should give the GAA authorities food for thought but I doubt it. The organisation has been captured by a combination of big business and bureaucracy and has been taken away from the ordinary supporter and member. Effectively the GAA mirrors how the country is run. On one hand we have the elected officials who give the impression of an organisation representing the grassroots. Similar to the government they are ultimately passing through and mainly serve the coterie of permanent professional staff who effectively run the organisation.

I have stopped going to inter county matches as I'm disillusioned by the futility of it all. Nothing grates me more than seeing the corporate crowd in Croke Park while the ordinary punter has to pay the full whack for everything. Over the years, I have had dealings with the permanent paid officials of the GAA and I have found that in the main club members are treated with contempt like children of a lesser god. All you get is patronising nonsense of what a great organisation we belong to. None of these officials seem to be listening or even care. In fact, I get the distinct impression that paid officials are laughing at the idiots that are cutting the grass and lining fields for nothing up and down the country.

The days of the idiots lining the fields are numbered if going around the country is anything to go by. The volunteers are disappearing fast and who can blame them.  As a GAA person first and foremost, it pains me to say the GAA is in terminal decline in small counties such as Laois. The treatment of the county over the past year is evidence that we no longer matter.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 11, 2016, 10:01:51 AM
This is a great post Downthereoad.

Instead of sitting around hotel foyers or the executive section of Croke Park congratulating themselves on the latest increase in Revenue, it would be much more useful if they would figure out how to keep players motivated in an environment where the chances of competing with the top countries are becoming increasingly low, how to keep the volunteers motivated in an environment where time is becoming more precious, how to ensure that kids receive the best possible coaching in a safe and welcoming environment, how to get the crowds actually coming to the matches (judging by recent decisions on Laois matches, this doesn't matter at all).

The way that the volunteerism issue is handled though is the one that really shows the Association for what it is. You're dead right about that.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 11, 2016, 10:06:18 AM
By the way, on the Gary Walsh thing. If his account on twitter is true, and I don't have any reasons to doubt that it is, I think dropping him from the panel was more than a bit harsh. I know that you would hope that lads would react calmly to being substituted and try to focus on the needs of the team but the reality is that everyone is not like that. I would hope that he'd be invited back in to the panel without the fuss. He seems to have demonstrated his commitment all year so hopefully they'll get it together before the Armagh match.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Faugheen on June 11, 2016, 03:16:09 PM
Any truth that David Conway was drafted into the panel ???. I think the Gary Walsh issue is a disgrace and an insult to the effort these players put in throughout the year. TBH i do't know how he held his temper for so long, he was subbed in every game that he started. It again shows how players and their commitment is taken for granted and are tossed aside at a whim.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 11, 2016, 04:23:01 PM
Seems that Gary Walsh has met Laois management and apologised on twitter for his "threatening behaviour" at Nowlan Park, whatever that might be.

Not sure why it had to come to that but hats off to Gary Walsh for being humble in his apology. 
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 12, 2016, 11:59:18 AM
Good to have Gary Walsh on board. I do agree he was harshly substituted but he was in the wrong - a manager can take you off after 5 minutes if he wants - you've got to go with his decision even if nobody likes being substituted. If there was, in gary's own words "threatening behaviour" then you can see why he could have been dropped for good reason. I doubt it was for something as small as a few swear words on the sideline.

Anyway, hope everything has cleared up as we'll need Gary in the qualifiers and he seems well up for it. Losing Evan O'Carroll and Costello is disappointing but we were always going to lose 1 or 2 with the system as it stands. Could have been worse had there been a mass exodus of 5-7 players. No idea if Cunningham is effectively taking over now - anyone have any inside info from the camp?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 13, 2016, 11:58:52 PM
Not sure if he's back on board but I hope he is, he's a great talent.
This is his tweet and it says nothing about him being back on the panel..




(http://i64.tinypic.com/23wnwiv.jpg)

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on June 14, 2016, 09:57:13 AM
Good to see things have been sorted ...I hear Tom Shield and David Conway have been called in to the squad can anyone confirm this?

Its a pity Paul Kingston is still not knocking around as he can offer something ....Look at his club form since he dropped off the panel he is destroying teams!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 15, 2016, 12:27:57 AM
Great to see lads being called into the squad but they are both forwards, it's really some defenders we need.

Anyway, lets hope we see a bit of support for the lads this Saturday, it's the least they deserve..
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 15, 2016, 10:52:24 AM
Having Gearoid Hanrahan back is a huge boost in my opinion. In the few minutes he was on, he managed to get the Dubs all around me well riled, which is always a good sign  ;D
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 17, 2016, 12:28:32 AM
Laois Senior Football Manager Mick Lillis has announced his starting 15 for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC Qualifier game Armagh



1. Graham Brody (Portlaoise)

2. Stephen Attride (Killeshin)

3. Mark Timmons (Graiguecullen)

4. Damien O'Connor (Timahoe)

5. Darren Strong (Emo)

6. Kieran Lillis (Portlaoise)

7. Gareth Dillon (Portlaoise)

8. Brendan Quigley (Timahoe)

9. Kevin Meaney (Arles-Kilcruise)

10. Niall Donoher (Courtwood)

11. Paul Cahillane (Portlaoise)

12. Colm Begley (Stradbally)

13. Conor Meredith (O'Dempsey's)

14. Donal Kingston (Arles-Killeen)

15. David Conway (Arles-Kilcruise)


Good to see Lillis back in action again, should add strength to the backline. Strange to see David Conway jump straight onto the team ahead of lads who have been training all year with the squad. Wonder if Gary is back on the panel..??

Walsh returns to Laois after 'clear-the-air' talks with Lillis
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/walsh-returns-to-laois-after-cleartheair-talks-with-lillis-34802381.html (http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/walsh-returns-to-laois-after-cleartheair-talks-with-lillis-34802381.html)


Armagh Team v Laois

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney has rung in the changes, making six switches to his starting line-up for Saturday's visit to O'Moore Park to face Laois


                        Patrick Morrison

Shea Heffron, Brendan Donaghy, Mark Shields

  Joe Mc Elroy, Ciaran Mc Keever, Andy Mallon

               Charlie Vernon, Aaron Findon

      Tony Kernan, Rory Grugan, Aidan Forker

Miceal Mc Kenna, Stefan Campbell, Niall Grimley
.

Throw in is at 3;30pm
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on June 17, 2016, 09:38:23 AM
David Conway's inclusion in the starting 15 sums up this set up. Happy that he is involved and hope he does well but what does it tell you about game planning for this team? If the team were structured and had a plan, everyone would know their roles. How could you possibly fit into any system within a week? Cheddar wouldn't do it with the hurlers that's for sure.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 17, 2016, 09:43:20 AM
It is good to see David Conway back with the panel but it is strange to see him listed as a starter.

The so-called "clear the air" meeting with Gary Walsh obviously wasn't that successful. I'm not sure if the management are trying to make some point or other but I doubt very much that the benefits outweigh the costs of that kind of point-making.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 17, 2016, 11:53:11 AM
Same - very odd to see Conway and Lillis starting after being out for so long. Doesn't make sense if you think about it, especially in Conway's case.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: les Antiques on June 17, 2016, 12:05:18 PM
Maybe there is justification in playing Lillis as he was there at the start  this year until that horrific . injury . The Conway selection is altogether baffling . Granted I'd welcome him on to the panel again but to go straight back into the team ahead of lads who have been there since January ...?
His club form has been good not brillant so I would be interested in hearing the managements take on his selection .
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: steven seagal on June 17, 2016, 12:58:43 PM
Conway's selection is a bit of a joke. He's an excellent footballer, I'm not doubting that, but starting him can't be going down well in the dressing room, and the relationship between Lillis and the panel has hardly been harmonious this year anyway. He was injured about a month ago, got called into the panel the week before the Dublin game, and now he's starting. He played well against Portlaoise in a league game a few weeks ago, I presume Lillis was at it and called him up based on that.

I don't see how he'd be ready (fitness wise) for intercounty football after the year he's had so far, because he's missed a few of Kilcruise's league games. Maybe the rationale is that he won't mind being taken off at half time?!

Kieran Lillis must be some way off match fitness as well, but our options in defence are limited, and with Cotter not available someone had to step in. I can't see him lasting the 70 minutes though.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 17, 2016, 04:27:17 PM
Why is Cotter not available? I'd imagine Gearoid Hanrahan (who came on against Dublin) and Robbie Kehoe can't be too far off the starting line up.

Without JOL and Evan O Carroll in particular it looks a bit short somehow.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 17, 2016, 06:45:45 PM
The lads will have to be very up for this and ready for the pace of it from the 1st minute - we saw what happened against Dublin. KM will have his lads firing - it will be a total embarrassment of a season to KM if he loses, especially with all the latest rubbish in the media with Joe Brolly. We have to want it more than Armagh - this will be a dog-fight.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Saint75 on June 18, 2016, 05:23:57 PM
Great win in fairness but the worst game I've seen in my life.
Hard to know where Laois are now really.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 18, 2016, 06:07:54 PM
An ugly win but a win nonetheless - definitely a dog-fight as expected. Great to win those games - really shows we're up for it.

We've made a tangible difference to our attitude / setup since Cunningham has come in. Even Brendan Quigley mentioned it at the end - he's probably running the show more than anyone and that's a good thing in my mind.

To come close to anyone in division 1 or most of division 2, we'll have to seriously improve our conversion rates however our defensive setup has made a MASSIVE improvement since the League.

With a bit of momentum - we could see a few more rounds but really does depend on opposition. It'd be great to get momentum with Cunningham around now to work on the lads, it looks more promising.

We still have a lot of improving to do but we can take a lot of positives from the game with JOL still to come back and good competition for places with Conway and Lillis doing well today after being out for so long.

Great goal by Merideth and I for one am delighted to see the win after the disappointment of the Ireland match. Laois wins in the championship are rare enough so let's enjoy this one and build and focus on the next one.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 18, 2016, 06:16:33 PM
In the next round of the Qualifiers Saint. That's where. It might have been the worst  game you saw in your life, but it wasn't the worst performance by a Laois team. In fact, the second half display really impressed me. For the first time in how long I don't know. they were patient and held onto the football. You have to understand that these lads have been neglected in terms of coaching, and a lot of them are very low on confidence. We're no world beaters but there are a lot of counties who would like to have some of these lads. I thought Attride and Quigley were immense today. Worked their socks off. It mightn't have been pretty but we won, and the result is all that matters at the end of the day. At this stage, it's best not to get caught up in how pretty it all is. We have struggled recently as a county. A few positive results can only help, not hinder.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: the old vet on June 18, 2016, 07:26:00 PM
Really enjoy that win today,to see a team that only score 10 points today against us.
that a big change from the last few months,  so well done to the lads
now looking forward to the next round.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on June 18, 2016, 08:29:58 PM
Great that we won and was better defensively. Absolutely shockingly poor going forward. Armagh were spectacularly poor. We were slightly better.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: maccer on June 18, 2016, 08:34:47 PM
Sometimes we should just enjoy the ride. Far from perfect but massive commitment and desire to win. The players were thrilled at the end and they deserve some joy. Watching Gary Walsh and Mick Lillis embrace at the end just showed we are a mad shower of hoors like no other
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Boy Wonder on June 18, 2016, 09:36:32 PM
Well done Laois - it's a boost to get a win over a team with a bit of pedigree like Armagh. Ok, Armagh may have slipped back in the ranks but they would have been expecting to come through today. Hopefully Laois supporters will come out in bigger numbers the next day - these lads deserve our support.
A special mention for Gearoid Hanrahan - I thought he excelled on his championship debut.





Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Saint75 on June 18, 2016, 10:01:03 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on June 18, 2016, 06:16:33 PM
In the next round of the Qualifiers Saint. That's where. It might have been the worst  game you saw in your life, but it wasn't the worst performance by a Laois team. In fact, the second half display really impressed me. For the first time in how long I don't know. they were patient and held onto the football. You have to understand that these lads have been neglected in terms of coaching, and a lot of them are very low on confidence. We're no world beaters but there are a lot of counties who would like to have some of these lads. I thought Attride and Quigley were immense today. Worked their socks off. It mightn't have been pretty but we won, and the result is all that matters at the end of the day. At this stage, it's best not to get caught up in how pretty it all is. We have struggled recently as a county. A few positive results can only help, not hinder.

Settle down HF my point is that Armagh are really bad so it doesn't really tell us anything about where we are. I hope we are making progress but this game tells us nothing. Keep it real🙄
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: SCFC on June 18, 2016, 11:24:14 PM
Our next game will be v Clare, Sligo, Meath (assuming they lose to Dublin) or the losers of tomorrow's Cavan v Tyrone game.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 18, 2016, 11:37:36 PM
I think this game told us a lot, we can defend very well, we have problems scoring, Donie is not fit, We have a good bench,  Hanrahan and Lillis make a difference to our defence and Quigley is one of the hardest workers in the championship.
Fair play to Mick Lillis for being man enough to accept Gary Walsh's apology and put him back on the panel. I think we will work on our shooting and grow from this win. If we do we will be a match for any of the teams in the next round and who knows after that. Shame on the guys who left the panel in the middle of a championship campaign, how they can have the neck to come back and sit beside that panel in a dressing room again next year baffles me. I know it's an amateur game and lads can go where they like but loyalty to your teammates is everything, especially when you have suffered a defeat.
Well done to everyone and hopefully we'll get a home draw in the next round and get a bit better support.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 19, 2016, 10:23:07 AM
Would agree with a lot of this Junior.

On the game itself, I thought Meredith and Attride were ahead of Quigley in the Man of the Match stakes. I may have missed a lot of the work he was doing off the ball but I thought those two lads in particular were immense. Their use of the ball was really impressive in my opinion. Others that did very well were Brody (another great save and excellent kick outs), Timmons again, Hanrahan, O Connor and Begley in the first half. Of those that started the game, Cahillane was probably the pick of the rest although generally the forwards were poor. Young Farrell did very well and kicked an inspirational score when he came on - if he can build up his confidence a bit, he looks like he could be a good player with a good engine.

It is disappointing to see lads leaving the panel of course. You can see both sides of it but I find it hard to understand the idea of someone jumping off the train halfway through the journey. You're either intending to travel the distance or your not. I suppose the likes of Laois are always more likely to be affected by defections. Having said that, Galway lost at least 2-3 players to America this year and it didn't stop them last night. Hopefully, the lads that decided to stick with it will have a few more good days out of it.

Hoping to avoid Cavan/Tyrone in the next draw..........
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 19, 2016, 11:15:06 AM
To be fair, EOC and EC leaving the panel was not that bad, relative to what it could have been. We were always going to lose a couple of players. Arguably, having K Lillis back from injury with Conway has strengthened the panel vs before EOC and EC left. Evan has great potential and hopefully he'll have great years ahead in a Laois jersey. Our back line seems strengthened in terms of tactics, dicipline and fitness. OK our shooting was very poor but on our day we have a dangerous forward line. Our keeper is in the top 8 surely in the country. Mark Timmons has been very solid as usual at FB this year. Almost every county in the country would be delighted to have Brody, Timmons, Merideth, Attride, Quigley, Meaney, O Loughlin, Begley, Kingston. These are top players, and, with a good setup, there's no reason why they can't do well in the qualifiers. The championship layout is not ideal but there's a lot to be said for gaining momentum in the qualifiers, especially after losing to the all-ireland champions in a credible display.  I just hope the new set up with Cunningham has enough time to properly bloom. Cunningham has made a MASSIVE difference since coming in and that was clear to see last night. We won a tactical ugly dogfight against a tactical heavyweight in McGeeney. There's a lot to be said for winning ugly and we did that last night due to Cunningham, no question. Armagh would have scored 16+ if we had our League-style "15v15" tactics. Cunningham is doing top work & that's clear to anyone that's clued in to see.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Faugheen on June 19, 2016, 02:33:51 PM
Good win but was a frustrating game to watch. The best line by far for us was the full back line of Timmons, Hanrahan and Attride. Couldn't blame anyone for thinking that they were watching a Justin McNulty set up with no Laois forwards inside Armagh's 45 metre line (mostly in the 2nd half). Donie K looks far from fit and for me he he drifted too far out the field in the second half.
Our shooting and shot selection was very poor,most of this i think was down to the lack of options for the man on the ball. Having said that, a win is a win and with a bit of luck we can push on and have a decent run in the qualifiers. As said above, I'd like to see Cunningham have a bit more time with these players, just to see how he would mould them.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on June 19, 2016, 03:13:35 PM
In the first round of the qualifiers, it's all about getting over the line especially against a team like Armagh. I thought we showed a lot of heart and closed out the game well. I thought Timmons was immense.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 19, 2016, 08:16:49 PM
Highlights of the game for those who may have missed it..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t17GNyTDVu4
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Dave like the tv channel on June 20, 2016, 08:45:33 AM
First win over Armagh in the championship. Nearly lost it.

Round 2a now. Hope it's a home draw.

Sligo v Leitrim
Clare v Laois
loser Cavan/Tyrone v Carlow
Derry v loser Dublin/Meath

Double header in Ennis again!!!!

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on June 20, 2016, 10:12:13 AM
Laois should beat Clare in the football at least, thanks for posting highlights guys, not easy for us exiles some times to see games. Could see from the highlights that we still are making some bad decisions in attack, we are creating chances though  and the defending seems to have improved so if we can be more clinical inside the 45 it will take a good team to beat us. One thing that seems to be in good fettle is the spirit in the group, the Dublin game they could have thrown in the towel after 15 mins but did not even when losing one of their main players. Then again at the weekend, fair enough it was 2 division 3 teams, but they were in a dogfight against an ulster side but we ground it out. We most likely will not win an All Ireland but it will take a good team to beat us, and after watching Mayo lose and Tyrone draw there is nothing to really fear if they believe in themselves.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: County Man on June 20, 2016, 11:14:19 AM
Fantastic win against Armagh on Saturday.

Credit to Anthony Cunningham, the difference in this Laois team since he has come in has been massive.

Defense was outstanding especially in second half. Huge hunger in the side.

If we can improve our shooting, we're a match for most teams.

It looks like July 2nd and a double header in Ennis.

Will be a tough encounter against Clare, hopefully we can build on the great win against Armagh.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: smcder on June 20, 2016, 01:23:36 PM
Clare are improving, and probable would have liked to face us to get a win over a 'bigger' team. They are upto Division 2 now. We be them easy in a double header with the hurlers a few years ago. I think we should win, but don't under estimate clare.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on June 20, 2016, 01:46:47 PM
I would not fancy us at all in Ennis one of those hard places to come out of with a win.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 20, 2016, 02:04:03 PM
Good win from the lads against a poor Armagh side. When the game was in the melting pot they found
that extra few percent. You could see Anthony Cunningham giving the teamtalk in the huddle. the
new defensive setup is remarkable in such a short space of time. The starting point with any team is
being difficult to beat. Our shooting let us down but it was great to see Ross come on and nail that
one at the end.
Attride and Timmons were brillant in the FB line . GOH looks good too.
Begley was excellent, his experience was vital. He rarely gives the ball away.
One of Quigley best games for Laois. Meredith played well too ..
Cahilane is becoming an intercounty footballer. Great to see his workrate. Suits him out around the middle.
Donie is so frustrating. When he's good he's unmarkable but he tries to do too much too often. Maybe
its being captain.
Off day for meaney and donaher..
great to see walsh and Lillis embrace at the end.. big men to put it behind them ..
Makings of a good team. Clare will be difficult. JOL coming back will be a boost
Presume they will be favourites but Laois have a chance if they can convert more chances.
G Walsh starting would help on that front ..
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on June 20, 2016, 02:08:11 PM
Clare have been very impressive this year in the league and should be a real handful. Some strong results this year, especially their showing against Kildare in Div 3 final. We are definitely good enough to win but this will be a battle.

Clare 1-11 - 0-7 Sligo
Tipperary 2-7 - 1-7 Clare
Limerick 0-11 - 1-14 Clare
Clare 1-18 - 0-10 Westmeath
Offaly 0-15 - 1-11 Clare
Clare 1-20 - 1-9 Longford
Kildare 0-22 - 1-14 Clare

Div 3 Final:
Clare 2-17 – 1-19 Kildare
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on June 20, 2016, 02:15:27 PM
Quote from: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 20, 2016, 02:04:03 PM

Donie is so frustrating. When he's good he's unmarkable but he tries to do too much too often. Maybe
its being captain.


What is he supposed to do? He is being left on his own in the full forward line marked by 2 or 3 lads yet he still seems to be able to win bad balls, turn and find space for a shot. There usually is nobody to break the ball to or no runners within 30 yards. I think he is playing really well and performing heroics. Nothing to do with being captain. We were very very lucky to get over the line on Saturday with such an inept forward system. Compare that to Cavan, Tyrone or Galway over the weekend when there always seemed to be options and everyone knew their job. Imagine if there was a plan in Laois?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 20, 2016, 02:31:12 PM
That was noticeable in the first half but it was refreshing to see a different approach in the second. It's important for us to stay in the game first and foremost, because we do have a habit of capitulating. I have always thought we are at our best attacking en masse, so having Donie in there isolated and pumping balls in has never made sense. Invariably it will come back at you. I have no problem with us defending and attacking from deep. That was how the game was won on Saturday. We have good enough footballers who look as if they appreciate a bit of decent coaching, and I was delighted to see patience coming into our play. Anthony Cunningham has made a big difference in a short period. Pity he wasn't there from October/November
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 20, 2016, 02:31:27 PM
Fair point Blue and White, he is isolated.
He's is being triple marked but shooting from impossible angles is frustrating.
Maybe I'm being a bit hard on him but i think by his very high standards he's been
inconsistent this year ..  He does needs G Walsh up there beside him.
For this year all efforts are being put into getting the defense right.
Hopefully like Cavan we can then put a coherent attacking plan together next year.
Getting the transition from defence to attack right. Does take time though.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on June 20, 2016, 02:45:52 PM
I agree, but it takes a year or even years rather than weeks. At least they are acknowledging it. It was far more frustrating during the league to see nothing changing and expecting that results would change.

Does anyone have a sense of how much influence Cunningham has on the development of a system with the team? Is he viewed as having strong expertise here? Would like to think there is a plan in progress but it also possible that the only plan is to keep everyone in our own half and we'll see what happens if we happen to win back possession. Wonder what the players are saying?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Faugheen on June 20, 2016, 03:42:52 PM
Quote from: south Laois on June 19, 2016, 03:13:35 PM
In the first round of the qualifiers, it's all about getting over the line especially against a team like Armagh. I thought we showed a lot of heart and closed out the game well. I thought Timmons was immense.
In fairness he has been the stand out player this year, the job he done on Bernard Brogan was magnificent, and he didnt get half the credit he should have for it.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Faugheen on June 20, 2016, 03:49:53 PM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on June 20, 2016, 02:15:27 PM
Quote from: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 20, 2016, 02:04:03 PM

Donie is so frustrating. When he's good he's unmarkable but he tries to do too much too often. Maybe
its being captain.


What is he supposed to do? He is being left on his own in the full forward line marked by 2 or 3 lads yet he still seems to be able to win bad balls, turn and find space for a shot. There usually is nobody to break the ball to or no runners within 30 yards. I think he is playing really well and performing heroics. Nothing to do with being captain. We were very very lucky to get over the line on Saturday with such an inept forward system. Compare that to Cavan, Tyrone or Galway over the weekend when there always seemed to be options and everyone knew their job. Imagine if there was a plan in Laois?
I think that is the Dublin game you are referring to...he was very poor last Sat. he won only 1 long ball in the whole game. In the second half he was too far out from goal to be a danger and didnt seem too eager to get on the ball. Something just isn't right with him this year for whatever reason.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on June 20, 2016, 04:59:42 PM
I think ye should look at the game again and the balls that were pumped in to him. Double and triple marked and balls going 3 foot over his head. He still managed to get his hand on enough ball and scored that nice point at an important time. Not saying he set the world alight but I think people have unrealistic expectations of what one man can do.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Helix on June 20, 2016, 07:05:40 PM
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/laois-in-danger-of-championship-elimination-over-subs-used-v-armagh-740898.html

Well this will be sh*te craic if we get thrown out of championship for this.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 20, 2016, 07:21:56 PM
Couldn't have put it better myself Helix.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: welcomehome on June 20, 2016, 08:03:07 PM
looks like that is going to happen..leinster council meeting to night..will either be a fine and a replay..or thrown out....
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Faugheen on June 20, 2016, 09:42:43 PM
FFS  >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Monument Road on June 20, 2016, 09:46:51 PM
Quote from: welcomehome on June 20, 2016, 08:03:07 PM
looks like that is going to happen..leinster council meeting to night..will either be a fine and a replay..or thrown out....
For a start welcomehome the leinster council have no say as it was an AI qualifier.Croke Park will decide and it looks like we will be thrown out and Armagh will take our place. Who looks after the subs count on the sideline...is it the county secretary,chairman, management, Its a shamefull shambles and embarrasing. We have a joke set up for a county board and its no wonder supporters dont travel
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: armaghniac on June 20, 2016, 10:07:12 PM
Reported on Armagh forum that there is an issue with the No. 22 replacing the No. 10 just after half time. It was the No. 10 that stayed on the field and was involved in the next passage of play!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Don Draper on June 20, 2016, 10:09:32 PM
Amateur is as amateur does.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Boy Wonder on June 20, 2016, 10:11:56 PM
Quote from: The Monument Road on June 20, 2016, 09:46:51 PM
Quote from: welcomehome on June 20, 2016, 08:03:07 PM
looks like that is going to happen..leinster council meeting to night..will either be a fine and a replay..or thrown out....
For a start welcomehome the leinster council have no say as it was an AI qualifier.Croke Park will decide and it looks like we will be thrown out and Armagh will take our place. Who looks after the subs count on the sideline...is it the county secretary,chairman, management, Its a shamefull shambles and embarrasing. We have a joke set up for a county board and its no wonder supporters dont travel

Is it not the 4th official's job to verify substitutions before they are made ?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Dave like the tv channel on June 20, 2016, 10:15:39 PM
Fine. If they screwed up, they screwed up. But the seventh sub was made in the 73rd minute. Did it have any real impact on the outcome? Armagh should refuse the win.

It seems it's ok to cheat and dive and feign injury to win, but using an extra sub in the last minute of injury time means you're thrown out of the competition? Pure BS, that's what it is.

There's precedence anyway, where Cork used an extra sub and were made replay the match.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Dave like the tv channel on June 20, 2016, 10:18:51 PM
It is a valid question though. Who is responsible for the count?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 20, 2016, 10:21:34 PM
I don't understand. Is it the number of subs used or the allegation that we had 16 players in the field at one stage?

If the issue is the number of subs used, the entire organisation of the games by the GAA has to be called into question. No substitution can be made without the agreement of the referee (and presumably the 4th official on the sideline). Each substitution that is made is documented and reported to the officials.  If the referee consents to a substitution then it must be considered legal (in the same way that if the referee adjudicates on a square ball or any other part of the game, there is no basis for appeal). Surely to God, it's up the games' officials to ensure substitution rules are followed in the same way that the other rules of the game are followed. If we're thrown out of the championship for that, my shillings will be going for different causes in the future.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 20, 2016, 10:22:44 PM
Supposedly laois checked with the 4th offical and he okd the 7th sub as one
Was a blood sub ..

Cant see them anything coming from but the way the suits have carried on this
Year towards laois you'd never know ..
"We'll show those Laois upstarts not to complain about fixtures ever again"

GAA has been a shambles this year ..
 
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Dave like the tv channel on June 21, 2016, 06:54:38 AM
Replay or refixture?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: SCFC on June 21, 2016, 07:46:01 AM
I'd rather we be thrown out than a replay. That was a dreadful game on Saturday. Armagh are poor.  Don't want to look at them for another 70 minutes.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 21, 2016, 09:30:09 AM
According to the radio this morning, the responsibility for the number of substitutions lies with the county and not with the officials. If that is so, then how come Armagh weren't able to simply throw their substitute on when they wanted to?? They couldn't because there are rules and procedures and those rules and procedures are overseen by the referee and the 4th official. But now, it seems, that this particular rule of the game has nothing to do with the officials and the penalties can be either a fine, a requirement to replay the game or the forfeiture of the game. This seems totally ludicrous. What in the name of God is the 4th official doing in this case?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blewuporstuffed on June 21, 2016, 09:32:25 AM
Quote from: Giovanni on June 21, 2016, 09:30:09 AM
According to the radio this morning, the responsibility for the number of substitutions lies with the county and not with the officials. If that is so, then how come Armagh weren't able to simply throw their substitute on when they wanted to?? They couldn't because there are rules and procedures and those rules and procedures are overseen by the referee and the 4th official. But now, it seems, that this particular rule of the game has nothing to do with the officials and the penalties can be either a fine, a requirement to replay the game or the forfeiture of the game. This seems totally ludicrous. What in the name of God is the 4th official doing in this case?
I would agree with you here.
It just shouldn't be possible to bring on an extra substitute, surely the officials should be keeping this correct.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 21, 2016, 09:32:57 AM
You'd rather we be thrown out Scfc? Great attitude there.

No news about weather we're replaying or not.

This team has made a lot of progress since cunningham came in. I for one definitely want to see the rest of the year to see how we do. We could potentially get to 1/4final.

Any laois supporter who doesn't want to see that, after we legitimately beat armagh. . Not sure why you even bother. These lads have worked hard for months. If it's a replay, so be it. Ideally it's a fine. Or best case scenario, the fourth official is at fault and he gets to stand in the bold corner for a few minutes.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: maccer on June 21, 2016, 09:56:09 AM
Surely it's the 4th official's responsibility to oversee substitutions. It's very haphazard the way substitutions work. The soccer style would have resolved the Armagh error. Make the sub wait on the line until the man you're replacing makes his way over rather than the sub rushing on to the field trying to grab everyone's attention. Maybe they should also look at the rugby system and allow teams empty the bench given the high intensity of games nowadays. I know it might effect the flow of the game but having a clock you stop ala rugby would solve that
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 21, 2016, 10:12:45 AM
If they order a replay, Armagh should concede the game. They lost on the day fair and square. Either way, I would refuse to replay the match. These GAA heads have been busting our balls all year and it's time we stood up for ourselves. They are making something out of nothing and creating publicity.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: OTF on June 21, 2016, 10:27:59 AM
Forget about the 4th official,surly to jasus there's someone in the Laois camp able to count to 6.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 21, 2016, 10:31:38 AM
There should be a rule that trumps all other rules in the book, and that's called "THE COMMON SENSE RULE".

Unfortunately the GAA rarely use the common sense rule, but we clearly won the game, fair and square and there was zero malice in the substitution. It was an oversight and these things do happen.

Likely we will be forced to replay, but like high fielder says, hopefully Armagh will forfeit.

I certainly would forefit if I knew the game was won fair and square. The GAA may not have common sense, but I hope Armagh cancel that out with their decency and integrity.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: portlaoisekid on June 21, 2016, 10:42:49 AM
In terms of a replay, if Laois are found guilty of breaking the rules does that mean last Saturday's match become null and void ?? If so does that mean Laois still have home advantage and it means jol is still suspended ...
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 21, 2016, 10:46:51 AM
Jaysus tony i cant see Armagh forfeiting the game. They would love to get Laois in their backyard ..
They would hardly turn that down ..
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Don Draper on June 21, 2016, 10:47:14 AM
Quote from: Tony on June 21, 2016, 10:31:38 AM
There should be a rule that trumps all other rules in the book, and that's called "THE COMMON SENSE RULE".
I'm sorry, but that makes no sense whatsoever, would void all other rules and cause chaos.


If Laois broke the rules, they deserve their punishment.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 21, 2016, 11:00:44 AM
And what is the punishment? Do you know?

This is an opportunity for us to give a bit back to the GAA. They have treated us like shit all year. If there is no exact rule to cover this, and I mean exact, we should tell them where to go. We can't be patsies for them all the time
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on June 21, 2016, 11:27:08 AM
Jack Nolan on Twitter says a replay has been offered but Armagh have no appetite for it.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 21, 2016, 11:31:50 AM
The choice of punishment seems to be fairly clear (according to reports) - it's either a fine, a replay or being thrown out of the competition. That decision is down to the GAA. I went looking for the rules on this myself online and I couldn't find anything that looked comprehensive or clear.

Anyway, if these are the choices of punishment, then a fine would seem to be the obviously fair one given that the infringement happened in the last minute of injury time and the said substitute had no more involvement in the game than the Maor Uisce (or the 4th official for that matter).

At the same time though, I really cannot get my head around the idea that the officials have no responsibility for overseeing the rules regarding substitutions. The fact of the matter is they have such responsibility because no sub can come on without permission. If they're given permission, then it must be OK. If they're refused permission, then there is some infraction of the rules. It's truly bizarre to say that the officials are not responsible for these particular rules.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 21, 2016, 11:35:41 AM
I wouldn't listen to jack Nolans sources to be fair. His sources also told him that we were going to announce a top class background team at the start of the year.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 21, 2016, 11:37:54 AM
Quote from: Don Draper on June 21, 2016, 10:47:14 AM
Quote from: Tony on June 21, 2016, 10:31:38 AM
There should be a rule that trumps all other rules in the book, and that's called "THE COMMON SENSE RULE".
I'm sorry, but that makes no sense whatsoever, would void all other rules and cause chaos.


If Laois broke the rules, they deserve their punishment.
What I meant, ed, was that the rules should be followed, up until the interpretation is unclear or rule ambiguous,  in which case, common sense rule is king.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 21, 2016, 11:47:05 AM
Maybe this is where Jack Nolan's source is:

http://www.the42.ie/laois-armagh-gaa-substitues-2835586-Jun2016/#comments

Take a look at the comments on this article. One of them in particular seems to agree with High Fielder's view that the rules are not in fact clear on the issue at all.......... If that is really so, then it would be a joke for Laois to be punished for it.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Don Draper on June 21, 2016, 11:49:16 AM
Quote from: Tony on June 21, 2016, 11:37:54 AM
Quote from: Don Draper on June 21, 2016, 10:47:14 AM
Quote from: Tony on June 21, 2016, 10:31:38 AM
There should be a rule that trumps all other rules in the book, and that's called "THE COMMON SENSE RULE".
I'm sorry, but that makes no sense whatsoever, would void all other rules and cause chaos.


If Laois broke the rules, they deserve their punishment.
What I meant, ed, was that the rules should be followed, up until the interpretation is unclear or rule ambiguous,  in which case, common sense rule is king.
Sorry tony,  but I am not ed.

Frank Murphy would drive a truck through your common sense rule. It makes no sense.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on June 21, 2016, 11:49:59 AM
I hear the GAA have sussed out Armagh and their feelings on the three outcomes...If whats believed to be true and that Armagh are not interested in takin Laois's place or a replay then I expect the third outcome a heavy fine and a slap on the wrist and we move on!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 21, 2016, 12:02:19 PM
Quote from: Giovanni on June 21, 2016, 11:47:05 AM
Maybe this is where Jack Nolan's source is:

http://www.the42.ie/laois-armagh-gaa-substitues-2835586-Jun2016/#comments

Take a look at the comments on this article. One of them in particular seems to agree with High Fielder's view that the rules are not in fact clear on the issue at all.......... If that is really so, then it would be a joke for Laois to be punished for it.

And an even bigger joke if we take punishment for a rule that doesn't exist. Time for the CB to stand tall
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: From the Terrace on June 21, 2016, 12:29:44 PM
CB stand tall there a joke, going around patting each other on the back. The sooner our cb is ran the better, i know this going off issue but i really think they dont work hard enough with our clubs. On 7 subs a fine and move on my best guess aswell.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 21, 2016, 12:41:46 PM
To be honest I'll believe it when I hear it. I would be VERY surprised if Armagh turned down the opportunity to replay Laois. Maybe I'm being pessimistic but that doesn't sound right to me.

If it is, serious fair play to Armagh but as I say we'll have to wait for the official word.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on June 21, 2016, 12:46:11 PM
Well lets see if the GAA will clear the issue up, don't hold your breath folks. Whatever the outcome we should have an official statement to clear up any ambiguities lie this in the future, fair enough Laois have to get some slap on the wrist as they broke the rules but in my book the 4th official is the person responsible for overseeing this, very poor all round. If its true that Laois were unsure if they could use the sub and asked to 4th official and he allowed it then he is the one responsible. Again either way the GAA need to come out and clarify the situation. Armagh have been very poor all year and would be surprised if they wanted to go again, the players looked like they were glad to have put this season to bed after the game.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 21, 2016, 12:53:24 PM
If the shoe was on the other foot, I doubt Armagh would lie down and have their belly ticked by the GAA. There is no clear rule there. For once, members of the CB need to park their personal ambitions and stand up for their county. You can't be punished if a rule doesn't exist/ And it doesn't.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Keyser Söze on June 21, 2016, 01:03:14 PM
http://www.gaa.ie/mm//Document/TheGAA/RulesandRegulations/12/66/56/2016OfficialGuide-Part2_English.pdf

Rule 2.4 (i) Page 8

The one thing in Laois' favour is that there is no clear punishment outlined. Is there precedence?

The GAA being the GAA, I would imagine they would have sounded out Armagh first before offering a replay. I cannot imagine they would go through with the process of offering a replay and Armagh turning it down and all the farcical reporting that would come with a scenario like that.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on June 21, 2016, 01:05:27 PM
http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0621/797102-orchard-men-to-get-second-bite-of-cherry/

So fourth official is just there to count the subs and tell the ref after so he write an accurate report
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: SCFC on June 21, 2016, 01:14:21 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on June 21, 2016, 10:12:45 AM
If they order a replay, Armagh should concede the game. They lost on the day fair and square. Either way, I would refuse to replay the match. These GAA heads have been busting our balls all year and it's time we stood up for ourselves. They are making something out of nothing and creating publicity.
That's what I was trying to say. I'd rather refuse to replay it.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: SCFC on June 21, 2016, 01:16:41 PM
Another thing. Someone's head should roll over this. What the f**k are we paying a county secretary €50K a year for?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Andy06 on June 21, 2016, 01:20:28 PM
If the Laois management are saying that they checked with the 4th official and he definately gave them the go ahead, then the county board should be pro-active and put out a statement right now.
This will clarify things from our side and whats more it will get a jump on anything the GAA come out with.

Of course this is dependent on the Laois county board so the chances of them being pro-active is absolutely zilch!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Keyser Söze on June 21, 2016, 01:21:29 PM
Quote from: SCFC on June 21, 2016, 01:16:41 PM
Another thing. Someone's head should roll over this. What the f**k are we paying a county secretary €50K a year for?

I would imagine there is a team secretary?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 21, 2016, 01:21:41 PM
The rule and penalties are in here on p.115 (Article 6.43)

http://www.leinstergaa.ie/_fileupload/2015%20Official%20Guide%20-%20Part%201.pdf
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on June 21, 2016, 01:22:48 PM
Don't Armagh have to lodge an objection? Wasn't that the case for the Kildare / Offaly subs fiasco many years ago?

They were beaten fairly and squarely. Will be interesting to see if they hide behind a very minor rules infringement and insist on the replay. The 72nd minute substitution had no bearing on the final result whatever.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Keyser Söze on June 21, 2016, 01:30:26 PM
Quote from: Giovanni on June 21, 2016, 01:21:41 PM
The rule and penalties are in here on p.115 (Article 6.43)

http://www.leinstergaa.ie/_fileupload/2015%20Official%20Guide%20-%20Part%201.pdf

That's fairly clear cut in fairness and nothing Laois County Board can do about it.
Presumably the 4th Official gave the lists to the referee who would have had to include it in his report.

The grey area around what the 4th official told Laois could be publicised for sympathy but won't alter the result.
The choice of venue will be interesting. Parnell Park?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 21, 2016, 01:35:10 PM
Are you sure you're not confusing normal substitutes, which are not replaceable after the limit has been reached, and black card substitutes, where to my mind there is no ruling? If there is, can you copy and paste that exact rule?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Keyser Söze on June 21, 2016, 01:39:14 PM
All part of the same rule;

2.4 (i) The maximum number of substitutions
permitted during the playing of Normal Time
shall be Six in Football and Five in Hurling.
(ii) A maximum of three Substitutions shall be
allowed during the playing of Extra Time.
(iii) Temporary Substitutions are also permitted
during the playing of both Normal Time and
Extra Time, as provided for in Rule 1.5(b) Rules
of Control - Injuries: Blood.
(iv) A Substitution is not allowed in the case of a
player ordered off.
Exceptions:
(a) As permitted by Rule 2.6(d), Rules of Specification.
        (b)   Subject to limitations specified in (i) above,
and to a maximum of three players on a
team, a substitution is allowed in the case
of a player ordered off in Football for a
Cynical Behaviour (i.e. Black Card) Infraction

provided that the player has not committed
a Cautionable (i.e. Yellow Card) Infraction
previously in the Game and in which
circumstances he may not be substituted.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 21, 2016, 01:48:18 PM
Looking like they want a replay (surprise, surprise)

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0621/797102-orchard-men-to-get-second-bite-of-cherry/
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 21, 2016, 01:50:08 PM
Quote from: Keyser Söze on June 21, 2016, 01:39:14 PM
All part of the same rule;

2.4 (i) The maximum number of substitutions
permitted during the playing of Normal Time
shall be Six in Football and Five in Hurling.
(ii) A maximum of three Substitutions shall be
allowed during the playing of Extra Time.
(iii) Temporary Substitutions are also permitted
during the playing of both Normal Time and
Extra Time, as provided for in Rule 1.5(b) Rules
of Control - Injuries: Blood.
(iv) A Substitution is not allowed in the case of a
player ordered off.
Exceptions:
(a) As permitted by Rule 2.6(d), Rules of Specification.
        (b)   Subject to limitations specified in (i) above,
and to a maximum of three players on a
team, a substitution is allowed in the case
of a player ordered off in Football for a
Cynical Behaviour (i.e. Black Card) Infraction

provided that the player has not committed
a Cautionable (i.e. Yellow Card) Infraction
previously in the Game and in which
circumstances he may not be substituted.


I think that's challengeable. I really do. Does it cover our situation? I don't think it does.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: OTF on June 21, 2016, 02:08:59 PM
Ok
Replay it is,we'll just have to get on with it and beat them again.
The extra game will bring us on ton.....if we win 
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 21, 2016, 02:16:19 PM
How could Armagh be so defeatist as to turn down the offer of a replay ..
They couldnt say no we couldnt be bother playing a replay ..
2nd chance for them .. I'm sure they'll be up for it big time.
Although its a mess i see it as a positive for Laois ..
Another game under the new regime trying to implement the new system
Presume they will get the game up in Armagh and a big crowd will turn up
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on June 21, 2016, 02:58:46 PM
Surely this will count as a re-fixture not a re-play as the first game is null and void. That would mean the game taking place in Portlaoise and John O Loughlin still suspended.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: SCFC on June 21, 2016, 03:18:19 PM
My understanding is its as if the first game was never played. Refixture in Portlaoise and JOL suspended. Very disappointing. It will much easier for Armagh to get themselves up for a refixture.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 21, 2016, 04:12:58 PM
If that's the case, I might apply to the small claims court for a refund of my ticket for the first game.

The GAA, when they take people's money, have a duty to ensure that the event is managed properly. They have a financial incentive to order a replay, despite the fact that it is clearly not a fair decision. If everyone looked for their money back from the first one, there might be a different way of looking at it. I saw a poor bastard from Armagh with 4 kids who was told that he had to hand over 20 euro for the kids ..... to get into a half empty stadium. The whole thing is just a farce.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blewuporstuffed on June 21, 2016, 04:18:18 PM
Quote from: Giovanni on June 21, 2016, 04:12:58 PM
If that's the case, I might apply to the small claims court for a refund of my ticket for the first game.

The GAA, when they take people's money, have a duty to ensure that the event is managed properly. They have a financial incentive to order a replay, despite the fact that it is clearly not a fair decision. If everyone looked for their money back from the first one, there might be a different way of looking at it. I saw a poor b**tard from Armagh with 4 kids who was told that he had to hand over 20 euro for the kids ..... to get into a half empty stadium. The whole thing is just a farce.
u16s got in free to the Ulster championship games, i cant understand why this wouldn't be the case for qualifiers as well.  :-\
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ciaraa on June 21, 2016, 04:19:57 PM
Quote from: Giovanni on June 21, 2016, 04:12:58 PM
If that's the case, I might apply to the small claims court for a refund of my ticket for the first game.

The GAA, when they take people's money, have a duty to ensure that the event is managed properly. They have a financial incentive to order a replay, despite the fact that it is clearly not a fair decision. If everyone looked for their money back from the first one, there might be a different way of looking at it. I saw a poor b**tard from Armagh with 4 kids who was told that he had to hand over 20 euro for the kids ..... to get into a half empty stadium. The whole thing is just a farce.

Was thinking the same thing re. Meath - Antrim replay.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Keyser Söze on June 21, 2016, 05:05:39 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on June 21, 2016, 01:50:08 PM
Quote from: Keyser Söze on June 21, 2016, 01:39:14 PM
All part of the same rule;

2.4 (i) The maximum number of substitutions
permitted during the playing of Normal Time
shall be Six in Football and Five in Hurling.
(ii) A maximum of three Substitutions shall be
allowed during the playing of Extra Time.
(iii) Temporary Substitutions are also permitted
during the playing of both Normal Time and
Extra Time, as provided for in Rule 1.5(b) Rules
of Control - Injuries: Blood.
(iv) A Substitution is not allowed in the case of a
player ordered off.
Exceptions:
(a) As permitted by Rule 2.6(d), Rules of Specification.
        (b)   Subject to limitations specified in (i) above,
and to a maximum of three players on a
team, a substitution is allowed in the case
of a player ordered off in Football for a
Cynical Behaviour (i.e. Black Card) Infraction

provided that the player has not committed
a Cautionable (i.e. Yellow Card) Infraction
previously in the Game and in which
circumstances he may not be substituted.


I think that's challengeable. I really do. Does it cover our situation? I don't think it does.

High Fielder, I really don't see what's challengeable about it?
For a change the GAA rule book is quite clear.

1) Max number of subs is 6.

2) You can replace somebody sent off on a Black Card
Unless
2.1) That person has also received a yellow
2.2) You have already replaced 3 black carded players
2.3) You have already used 6 substitutes.

I actually don't think it could be clearer.

The situation re John O' Loughlin is definitely more of a grey area.
Also I cannot see how it will be played in Armagh. Portlaoise possibly, unlikely in my opinion, but possibly.

I would be inclined to think a refixture, in Parnell Park/Navan with JOL able to play.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on June 21, 2016, 05:09:50 PM
It might just get tha gander of the Laois Support up ....

My understanding is the Game is Null and Void so it will be played in Portlaoise again JOL won't be eligible .

Maybe just maybe this will draw a crowd from Laois ...It will have to be fixed soon and hopefully it will be free for all patrons or a cheap price with money going to charity!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 21, 2016, 05:26:59 PM
Keyser, I'm seeing it now. Thanks for the clarity. Does added on time qualify as normal time?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Keyser Söze on June 21, 2016, 05:34:42 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on June 21, 2016, 05:26:59 PM
Keyser, I'm seeing it now. Thanks for the clarity. Does added on time qualify as normal time?

Ye normal time is everything until the final whistle
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 21, 2016, 06:19:51 PM
I imagined as much. The reason I mention it is to highlight the severity of the sanction. The game was done and dusted and things can be forgotten in the heat of the battle. Seems the GAA have it in for us this year. A fine seems more appropriate
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on June 21, 2016, 07:52:17 PM
It's a re - fixture in O Moore park on Saturday week at 3 o clock. The qualifiers are goin to be some mess now.
Title: Seo
Post by: drici on June 21, 2016, 08:02:30 PM
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ClfusbeWQAA9Whn.jpg)
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on June 21, 2016, 08:20:43 PM
Clearly the county board have employed all the great legal minds at their disposal and fought this decision viciously like any self respecting county would. They must be exhausted.....

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: welcomehome on June 21, 2016, 08:30:26 PM
prob had no say in it..oloughlin deemed to have served his one match ban and is eligible tp play...
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on June 21, 2016, 09:40:29 PM
I can't see how John O Loughlin is eligible to play if it's a re-fixture and not a replay. The management and county board better check, re-check and check again. We don't want another fiasco!!!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on June 21, 2016, 09:50:01 PM
Great new tactic, if your getting hammered in a game just  throw on about 10 subs, and get another go.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Keyser Söze on June 21, 2016, 10:16:55 PM
The letter above and the GAA website both say REPLAY.
That is crucial
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on June 21, 2016, 10:48:07 PM
Still no word from Armagh. Is it set in stone that it's in Portlaoise?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Kuwabatake Sanjuro on June 21, 2016, 10:49:44 PM
Quote from: south Laois on June 21, 2016, 10:48:07 PM
Still no word from Armagh. Is it set in stone that it's in Portlaoise?

Portarlington might be more suitable with the expected crowd.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: muppet on June 21, 2016, 11:06:40 PM
Quote from: Keyser Söze on June 21, 2016, 10:16:55 PM
The letter above and the GAA website both say REPLAY.
That is crucial

Regarding the letter, there is an obvious typo and 'Saturday July 2 at 3.0' is not a format I've ever seen used before. For example, what is '3.0'? Pretty shabby stuff for an official letter.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 22, 2016, 12:51:17 AM
This explains the situation in full...

Quote
Armagh get second qualifier crack at Laois after sub mix-up

By Peter Sweeney | Updated: Tuesday, 21 Jun 2016 20:43 | 5 Comments


Laois will have to replay their All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Round 1A qualifier with Armagh after using one too many substitutes in their win over the Orchard County.

The match will take place on Saturday, 2 July at O'Moore Park with a 3.0 throw-in.

Mick Lillis's team had already used their full allocation of six replacements when they sent on Shane Murphy in second half stoppage-time to take over from Brendan Quigley, who had been sent off following a black card.

This meant that they used seven substitutes – one more than is allowed.

Under rule, Croke Park's Central Competition Control Committee (CCCC) could have awarded the game to Armagh, fined Laois, or ordered a replay and they have opted for the latter.

Laois won at O'Moore Park on Saturday by 1-10 to 0-10, but only led by two points when Quigley was black carded and Murphy came into the action.

They sealed their victory and progress to round two – or so they thought – when Ross Munnelly scored a point to put a goal between the sides with the last kick of the game.

Laois were clearly the better team on the day, but their wasteful shooting ensured that they didn't win by more.

Had they pulled clear in the closing stages, the GAA may have settled on a fine and allowed the result to stand. But as it was a one-score game they opted for a replay.

"There was a proposed punishment put to us by the CCCC, we accepted it and the match has been refixed. Our reaction is to get on with it," said Laois County Board Chairman Gerry Kavanagh, speaking to RTÉ Sport.

"We're disappointed for the players because they put in a huge effort on the day and thought they'd done enough to get into the next round.

"But we are responsible. It's our job to discharge the rules properly, we didn't do that so we are where we are now."

This wasn't the only substitution mix-up at the game on Saturday.

Armagh's Tony Kernan came off in error after the fourth official put up the wrong number on the board and it took several minutes to rectify the situation.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, the GAA said: "Following an enquiry form the CCCC arising from the Round 1A Football Qualifier between Laois v Armagh on Saturday June 18, it has been confirmed that one extra substitute was used by Laois in error.

"CCCC have proposed in accordance with rule, that this game should be replayed on Saturday July 2 at 3.0 in Portlaoise.

"Laois have accepted this proposal."

There is one good point to come out of this for Laois however, with John O'Loughlin deemed to have served his one-game suspension and will be eligible for the replay.

The influential O'Loughlin was sent off in the Leinster quarter-final defeat to Dublin, picking up the automatic one match ban.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unison on June 22, 2016, 07:52:48 AM
They say 'jump', and we say 'how high?'. This is the second time we have offered a replay to opposition. God love us, but we are so humble, meek and obliging.

It seems our purpose within the GAA, is not to win anything, but to be a diversion, a laughing stock. Is it any wonder supporters are so frustrated with Laois GAA, they have stopped going to matches?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 22, 2016, 09:04:58 AM
I would love to know the role of Armagh in all of this. The official letter says:

"Following an enquiry form (sic???) the CCCC arising from the Round 1A Football Qualifier between Laois v Armagh on Saturday June 18...". The question is what prompted this enquiry?

The letter goes on to say - ""CCCC have proposed in accordance with rule, that this game should be replayed on Saturday July 2 at 3.0 in Portlaoise." In accordance with rule.... The actual rule that led to this proposal has not been announced. I wonder why?

According to the Independent, there seems to be 2 essential reasons why they decided to award a replay rather than a fine. The first, which is completely ludicrous, is that if they imposed a fine it would set a precedent! But if a fine is one of the options open to them according to the rules, what is wrong with setting a precedent? Does this mean that they will never impose a fine and never disqualify the other team even though the rules list them as options?

The second reason seems to be that there was just one score between the teams at the time the substitution was made. Now this is undoubtedly a fact but it ignores the fact that the substitute played no role whatsoever in the game in the 30 seconds or so that he was on the field - it's not as if he made a last ditch block on an Armagh player 10 yards from goal. Nonsense.

I suspect that this "enquiry" came from Armagh. The idea that the GAA would want another "can't count" controversy after the hurling match wouldn't seem to make sense. If it's the case that this is Armagh's approach, neither their players nor their supporters can have much to be proud of.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unison on June 22, 2016, 09:21:36 AM
I suppose, you have to hand it to Armagh and McGeeney. They want to win by hook or by crook, we are just happy to be taking part. if the roles had been reversed we wouldn't have had the balls to seek a replay. Like little lap dogs, we just roll over for the GAA.

Pity we don't have some of the gumption Offaly supporters showed when they refused to leave the pitch in Croke Park.

Armagh will win the replay, and we'll just shrug our shoulders, and think of next year.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on June 22, 2016, 09:35:59 AM
A fecking farce.....

The players however will have to accept it use it as if its a normal replay and I suppose if we do win again it will act as great preperation for the clare game ...A match is better than 4/5 trainings aslong as we don't pick up any injury or suspension ...

Just hope the players get up for it and that maybe a few more folk will come along to roar us on ....
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: lenny on June 22, 2016, 09:46:04 AM
Quote from: Unison on June 22, 2016, 09:21:36 AM
I suppose, you have to hand it to Armagh and McGeeney. They want to win by hook or by crook, we are just happy to be taking part. if the roles had been reversed we wouldn't have had the balls to seek a replay. Like little lap dogs, we just roll over for the GAA.

Pity we don't have some of the gumption Offaly supporters showed when they refused to leave the pitch in Croke Park.

Armagh will win the replay, and we'll just shrug our shoulders, and think of next year.

It's a complete cop out by the GAA to have a replay. For this breach of the rules Laois should have been removed from the competition and Armagh should be in the next round. It doesn't matter whether the last sub was on the pitch for 30 seconds or 30 minutes, rules are rules. Would Laois have got a replay if the last sub had played the last 15 or 20 minutes of the game and scored 2.2. I know that's hypothetical but rule has to be the same and the punishment the same. What happens next sunday if a team brings on an extra sub with 10 or 15 to go and he has a huge impact on the game turning a few points deficit into a win. Would people think that team should be allowed to go through as the other team was beaten fair and square. The simple fact is the rule has to be applied consistently and the punishment also. Somewhere in the Laois backroom team is someone whose job it is to sort out the subs. That is his only focus and he should be able to count to 7. For that reason Laois deserve 100% to be disqualified from this years championship. Having said all that the sideline official should be able to count to 7 also and shouldn't have allowed the last sub onto the pitch.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Boy Wonder on June 22, 2016, 09:54:36 AM
Ah feck off with yourself Lenny. Why didn't Armagh have the balls to appeal rather than hide behind the CCCC ?
Laois should have called their bluff and let the CCCC choose to throw Laois out or fine them.
Please note, if Laois thrown out it would not have entitled Armagh to be re-admitted.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: lenny on June 22, 2016, 10:32:26 AM
Quote from: The Boy Wonder on June 22, 2016, 09:54:36 AM
Ah feck off with yourself Lenny. Why didn't Armagh have the balls to appeal rather than hide behind the CCCC ?
Laois should have called their bluff and let the CCCC choose to throw Laois out or fine them.
Please note, if Laois thrown out it would not have entitled Armagh to be re-admitted.

You can't have a rule which only applies if the extra sub(s) has played more than a certain number of minutes or has had a major impact on the game. The rule and punishment have to be the same if the sub has been on the pitch for 30 minutes or 30 seconds. From this ruling what's to stop a team losing by 7 or 8 points bringing on 7 or 8 players at the same time to try to get back into the game with fresh legs. If they turn the game round and win at least they're guaranteed a replay based on this precedent.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 22, 2016, 10:44:20 AM
The wonderful world of the GAA rulebook.
They are having a terrible embarrassing years with fook up after fook up.
They are run like a corporation now. No accountability. Suits on big wages etc etc ..

Bottom line is that we are a better team than Armagh.
If JOL is back and our heads are right the extra game should bring the team on furthur ..
This fiasco has brought about a lot of debate from new posters so hopefully the team gets
a good turn out on Saturday week. You could see after the final whistle it meant a lot
to the players ..
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Boy Wonder on June 22, 2016, 10:45:26 AM
There is no precedent being set here that guarantees a replay.
CCCC recommended or proposed (dependent on where you read it) a replay.
Laois could have refused to offer a replay and put the ball back in CCCC court - Laois then fined or thrown out.

The only way for Armagh to get back in was to accept Laois offer of a replay.
If Armagh had any pride or sportsmanship they would refuse the offer.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unison on June 22, 2016, 10:56:51 AM
This farcical episode will do nothing to encourage people to go back to the matches.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 22, 2016, 10:58:47 AM
Quote from: lenny on June 22, 2016, 10:32:26 AM
Quote from: The Boy Wonder on June 22, 2016, 09:54:36 AM
Ah feck off with yourself Lenny. Why didn't Armagh have the balls to appeal rather than hide behind the CCCC ?
Laois should have called their bluff and let the CCCC choose to throw Laois out or fine them.
Please note, if Laois thrown out it would not have entitled Armagh to be re-admitted.

You can't have a rule which only applies if the extra sub(s) has played more than a certain number of minutes or has had a major impact on the game. The rule and punishment have to be the same if the sub has been on the pitch for 30 minutes or 30 seconds. From this ruling what's to stop a team losing by 7 or 8 points bringing on 7 or 8 players at the same time to try to get back into the game with fresh legs. If they turn the game round and win at least they're guaranteed a replay based on this precedent.

This is an excellent point Lenny. And at what point in your hypothetical example do you think the referee or the 4th official might say "sorry lads - no more subs"? After the 7th one? After the 8th one? Or maybe he'd let them keep coming until the bench was empty? The idea of match officials is to avoid that kind of f**king around.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Andy06 on June 22, 2016, 11:00:56 AM
Genuine question, is there any way to contact the Laois county board? Would like to know what explanation to have for why was this not observed at the time, and what measures they took when it came out that 7 subs were used.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: lenny on June 22, 2016, 11:24:59 AM
Quote from: Giovanni on June 22, 2016, 10:58:47 AM
Quote from: lenny on June 22, 2016, 10:32:26 AM
Quote from: The Boy Wonder on June 22, 2016, 09:54:36 AM
Ah feck off with yourself Lenny. Why didn't Armagh have the balls to appeal rather than hide behind the CCCC ?
Laois should have called their bluff and let the CCCC choose to throw Laois out or fine them.
Please note, if Laois thrown out it would not have entitled Armagh to be re-admitted.

You can't have a rule which only applies if the extra sub(s) has played more than a certain number of minutes or has had a major impact on the game. The rule and punishment have to be the same if the sub has been on the pitch for 30 minutes or 30 seconds. From this ruling what's to stop a team losing by 7 or 8 points bringing on 7 or 8 players at the same time to try to get back into the game with fresh legs. If they turn the game round and win at least they're guaranteed a replay based on this precedent.

This is an excellent point Lenny. And at what point in your hypothetical example do you think the referee or the 4th official might say "sorry lads - no more subs"? After the 7th one? After the 8th one? Or maybe he'd let them keep coming until the bench was empty? The idea of match officials is to avoid that kind of f**king around.

Laois aren't the first team to use extra subs and the match officials just kept waving them on. It will more than likely happen again. The rule needs to be tightly adhered to with a fixed punishment or else the sideline official needs to take full responsibility and prevent it happening again. It's a complete farce.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: From the Terrace on June 22, 2016, 11:28:14 AM
0578660674
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 22, 2016, 11:48:32 AM
In my view, the County Board should have looked for any precedent where the match officials prevented a sub from becoming on because the total number of available subs had already been used.

If there is precedent where the match officials took responsibility for the number of subs in the past (and I can't believe there isn't), then Laois could reasonably argue that it was up to the match officials to inform them of the error before it was made.

A lunatic would have come up with more logical rules.........

And Armagh are making no comment.........
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on June 22, 2016, 12:07:52 PM
Have Armagh even accepted they will play this game ?

I hope they do and we kick SEVEN shades of Shite out of them down here!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on June 22, 2016, 12:10:23 PM
Imagine if this was Dublin or Cork - would there be a chance in hell that this game would be replayed? Can't believe we are not even putting up a fight.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on June 22, 2016, 12:21:40 PM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on June 22, 2016, 12:10:23 PM
Imagine if this was Dublin or Cork - would there be a chance in hell that this game would be replayed? Can't believe we are not even putting up a fight.


Fact ....But lets just get on with it now and win it going into the clare game in Ennis with two wins under our backs!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Andy06 on June 22, 2016, 12:34:21 PM
Quote from: Unlaoised on June 22, 2016, 12:21:40 PM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on June 22, 2016, 12:10:23 PM
Imagine if this was Dublin or Cork - would there be a chance in hell that this game would be replayed? Can't believe we are not even putting up a fight.


Fact ....But lets just get on with it now and win it going into the clare game in Ennis with two wins under our backs!

Best attitude I think Unlaoised. Its the hand we are dealt with and the County Board clearly arent going to fight it so best that everyone (especially the players) get the heads right for the Armagh game and focus on that.
The two weeks means at least we arent coming into a game against opposition that we havent had time to prepare for.
As someone said there really needs to be an improved Laois support there. No excuses about Ireland matches or Nowlan Park to through around!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Heshs Umpire on June 22, 2016, 12:38:48 PM
Quote from: lenny on June 22, 2016, 10:32:26 AM
Quote from: The Boy Wonder on June 22, 2016, 09:54:36 AM
Ah feck off with yourself Lenny. Why didn't Armagh have the balls to appeal rather than hide behind the CCCC ?
Laois should have called their bluff and let the CCCC choose to throw Laois out or fine them.
Please note, if Laois thrown out it would not have entitled Armagh to be re-admitted.

You can't have a rule which only applies if the extra sub(s) has played more than a certain number of minutes or has had a major impact on the game. The rule and punishment have to be the same if the sub has been on the pitch for 30 minutes or 30 seconds. From this ruling what's to stop a team losing by 7 or 8 points bringing on 7 or 8 players at the same time to try to get back into the game with fresh legs. If they turn the game round and win at least they're guaranteed a replay based on this precedent.
What rule are you referencing there lenny? Just curious.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Saint75 on June 22, 2016, 01:40:19 PM
A lot of people to blame here:
1. GAA for not having the 4th official deal with this. What else does he do???
2. Management and Officials for letting this happen. General disorganisation all year by all reports.
3. County Board for bowing to the GAA again with no fight. No brains or balls in there clearly.

We need get over it as a team now and blow Armagh away. Get at them early. They won't have the stomach for it as they know their year should be over. No player wants to win this way.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on June 22, 2016, 02:46:02 PM
Quote from: Saint75 on June 22, 2016, 01:40:19 PM
A lot of people to blame here:
1. GAA for not having the 4th official deal with this. What else does he do???
2. Management and Officials for letting this happen. General disorganisation all year by all reports.
3. County Board for bowing to the GAA again with no fight. No brains or balls in there clearly.

We need get over it as a team now and blow Armagh away. Get at them early. They won't have the stomach for it as they know their year should be over. No player wants to win this way.

I'm sure Armagh will be gunning for this game, a chance of redemption. I'm sure they will convince themselves that they deserve another bite at the cherry. 2 weeks gives them plenty of time to get their heads right. If they win they will forget about Laois fairly quickly.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Saint75 on June 22, 2016, 03:13:37 PM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on June 22, 2016, 02:46:02 PM
Quote from: Saint75 on June 22, 2016, 01:40:19 PM
A lot of people to blame here:
1. GAA for not having the 4th official deal with this. What else does he do???
2. Management and Officials for letting this happen. General disorganisation all year by all reports.
3. County Board for bowing to the GAA again with no fight. No brains or balls in there clearly.

We need get over it as a team now and blow Armagh away. Get at them early. They won't have the stomach for it as they know their year should be over. No player wants to win this way.

I'm sure Armagh will be gunning for this game, a chance of redemption. I'm sure they will convince themselves that they deserve another bite at the cherry. 2 weeks gives them plenty of time to get their heads right. If they win they will forget about Laois fairly quickly.


I think you can convince yourself to a point as a player but they are only human. Anything they do this year will be tainted by the fact they were beaten.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 22, 2016, 03:44:46 PM
Right, time for a bit of cop on.

1: Who's fault was it? Laois.

2: The rules state that we could have been fined, replay match, or thrown out. We were 2 points up with 72 mins gone when sub was made. Could plausibly have made a difference. Therefore Rematch seems fair.

3: Let's just get back up and win this one again. We know we can do it. No point moaning and groaning. It was a Laois error and it's a fair outcome.

4: In a way we can see this as a positive as it will give the lads more time to develop our system and another championship match when they are few and far in between for us is welcome in my eyes.

5: Armagh will be up for this but we are the better team and if we've any ambition, we will be up for this and show we're the better team for the 2nd time. No the GAA is not out to get us. It was a Laois error and we've paid for it. What matters is how we react.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Monument Road on June 22, 2016, 04:23:41 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 22, 2016, 03:44:46 PM
Right, time for a bit of cop on.

1: Who's fault was it? Laois.

2: The rules state that we could have been fined, replay match, or thrown out. We were 2 points up with 72 mins gone when sub was made. Could plausibly have made a difference. Therefore Rematch seems fair.

3: Let's just get back up and win this one again. We know we can do it. No point moaning and groaning. It was a Laois error and it's a fair outcome.

4: In a way we can see this as a positive as it will give the lads more time to develop our system and another championship match when they are few and far in between for us is welcome in my eyes.

5: Armagh will be up for this but we are the better team and if we've any ambition, we will be up for this and show we're the better team for the 2nd time. No the GAA is not out to get us. It was a Laois error and we've paid for it. What matters is how we react.
Good post Tony. Lots of people losing the run here i think. As Tony says a rule was broken and we are being punished. The bigger issue here is the very amaturish CB we have.The buck stops here as they are responsible for this mess. ( Chairman admitted it in an interview today)
They cannot manage their own Bye laws as was proven by Portlaoise's successful chalange to them recently.
They made a huge blunder with the relegation rule a couple of years ago. And as for the transfer rulings that have happened over the past few years was disgusting to say the least....
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Boy Wonder on June 22, 2016, 04:38:34 PM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on June 22, 2016, 12:10:23 PM
Imagine if this was Dublin or Cork - would there be a chance in hell that this game would be replayed? Can't believe we are not even putting up a fight.

I agree, but you need backbone to stand up and fight your corner.
Co Board were found wanting on Nowlan Park issue and now on this issue.
There were precedents where teams (e.g. Cork) broke rules and did not have to replay the game.

Of course we have to go out and give everything to win the replay but if we just roll over and say nothing then these things will just happen again and again.

Did Armagh Co Board even have the courtesy to acknowledge the Laois offer of a replay ?
No - they just manipulated the situation to their own advantage through the CCCC.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: OTF on June 22, 2016, 06:39:04 PM
Quote from: Tony on June 22, 2016, 03:44:46 PM
Right, time for a bit of cop on.

1: Who's fault was it? Laois.

2: The rules state that we could have been fined, replay match, or thrown out. We were 2 points up with 72 mins gone when sub was made. Could plausibly have made a difference. Therefore Rematch seems fair.

3: Let's just get back up and win this one again. We know we can do it. No point moaning and groaning. It was a Laois error and it's a fair outcome.

4: In a way we can see this as a positive as it will give the lads more time to develop our system and another championship match when they are few and far in between for us is welcome in my eyes.

5: Armagh will be up for this but we are the better team and if we've any ambition, we will be up for this and show we're the better team for the 2nd time. No the GAA is not out to get us. It was a Laois error and we've paid for it. What matters is how we react.

That's what I said on page 10
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: maccer on June 22, 2016, 11:16:48 PM
I see croke park have changed the throw in times for Sun to avoid clashing with the soccer...couldn't do it last Sat though....still think we're treated the same as everyone else?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 23, 2016, 01:57:39 AM
There was precedent in John O'Loughlins case  ...

QuoteIn a press release yesterday evening, they stated: "Following an enquiry from the CCCC arising from the Round 1A Football Qualifier between Laois v Armagh on Saturday June 18, it has been confirmed that one extra substitute was used by Laois in error. CCCC have proposed in accordance with rule, that this game should be replayed on Saturday July 2 at 3.0 in Portlaoise. Laois have accepted this proposal."
Although Saturday's 1-10 to 0-10 has technically been deemed null and void because of Murphy's introduction, John O'Loughlin has been deemed to have satisfied his one-match suspension in missing the game and will be available on Saturday week. In 2012, the CCCC agreed former Dublin midfielder Eamon Fennell had served a one-match ban in the abandoned Division 1 game against Mayo in Castlebar


Other cases of wrong amount of subs being used...

QuoteSix GAA substitute sagas
Wednesday, June 22, 2016


Six times that extra substitutes were the cause of controversy after a week in which Laois were penalised for a seventh sub...



2001 –
The Leinster Council gave Sarsfields a replay after Na Fianna used six substitutes in beating them.

2002 –
Na Fianna used six substitutes in a Dublin SFC quarter-final against Raheny. The county board threw them out of the competition, a decision upheld by the High Court after Na Fianna appealed.

2002 –
Cork made six replacements in seeing off Tipperary by 19 points in the Munster SFC final. However, they didn't forfeit as secretary Frank Murphy demonstrated there was no penalty in the rulebook.

2002 –
In drawing with Sligo in a league game, Kildare made one more than the regulated number of substitutes but lost the point as a result of the rule breach.

2006 –
Kildare appealed Offaly's six substitutes in the Leinster quarter-final when Pascal Kelleghan, who had been blood subbed in the first half and returned in the second half, but not for his direct temporary replacement. The Disputes Resolution Authority ruled against Kildare.

2012 –
Dublin chose no to contest their All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Mayo on the basis of the DRA decision six years previous. Mayo used seven replacements — two were blood subs but were in truth permanent switches — when the maximum was five. The late Dublin chairman Andy Kettle later called for a time limit on blood subs.





Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on June 23, 2016, 02:46:33 PM
So the games on Sunday have been put back by two and a half hours to avoid a clash with Ireland v France. They've even taken into account it might go to extra time! But they wouldn't move our first game against Armagh. 45 mins would have been enough. The GAA really treat us like shit on the end of their shoe.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on June 23, 2016, 04:01:05 PM
People here just feel annoyed because of how smaller counties seem to be treated, thats all. Laois have to hold our hands up as it was our error and luckily we are still in the championship. Also with each game we have played since Cunningham has been part of the setup we have improved, the more time we have developing as a team with him on board the better.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 23, 2016, 04:11:57 PM
Lucky to still be in the Championship? We have zero chance of winning it and they don't give a flying f**k about us anyway, as has been evidenced by their disdain towards us on all matters. The GAA go on like we should be grateful, but it would have been more beneficial in the long term if we told them to f**k off and just drop out. The GAA is in crisis and we should have served it back up to them. We're only lap dogs for them.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 23, 2016, 04:43:56 PM
I find it odd to see that there's quite a lot of support for the county board's "we'll take out medicine and get on with it" approach.

If you take the GAA line that the match officials have no role to play here (and that the officials would therefore not stop any team from emptying its bench in order to try to get back into a game) then I guess you're with the county board on this.

The idea that the match officials can be exonerated from any blame for this farce is very bad for the integrity of the game in my opinion. I find it extraordinary that after all the incidents listed in Junior's post above, going back years, the GAA still haven't managed to come up with a system to ensure that this kind of thing can't happen. These are not serious game administrators really.

However, the really big problem is that we might lose the "replay". The bookies are making it roughly a 50:50 game (we're slight favourites). If we lose the game and end up out of the competition on a technicality, then the "we'll take our medicine" brigade in the county board will have a lot to answer for.

As a minimum, the county board must, for once, make a serious and concerted effort to get people to come to this game to support the team. They should appeal directly to every club in the county, advertise the game, make it attractive for families, subsidise the prices if necessary. This is an extremely important game now for the team but maybe more for the county board. For once, please do the job of promoting the game in the county in order to earn your seat at the All-Ireland final
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Clubber Lang on June 23, 2016, 04:59:25 PM
What are the possibilities of Cahir Healy being asked back onto panel if hurlers beaten by Clare? If David Conway can be brought back and earn a starting place surely Cahir should be provided with same opportunity. Granted we have to beat Armagh but a game against Clare the following week might be an ideal game to bring him onboard. He would be huge addition to team. 
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Boy Wonder on June 23, 2016, 07:04:46 PM
Well said Giovanni - this "take your medicine /cop on and stop moaning" viewpoint is disappointing.
Laois made a minor rule infringement - the punishment far outweighs the crime.
I don't believe we would have been thrown out if Co Board had stood firm and not offered a replay.
CCCC would probably have told Armagh that the ball was in their court and they would have to appeal.

We expect the lads on the field to stand up and fight and never throw in the towel - we should expect same from Co Board.
Anyway as Giovanni says, every club in Laois should get behind Laois the next day and get a decent crowd behind the team.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 23, 2016, 07:31:21 PM
So the CCCC proposed a rematch.

They could have recommended a fine, a rematch or us being thrown out.

I'm an avid Laois supporter, but given the rules, a rematch is CLEARLY the fair call. Why?

There was 2 points in it. We scored a point WITH THE SUBSTITUTE THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ON THE FIELD.

Armagh could easily argue that they could have potentially scored a goal without him there.

So, a fine, is too lenient. Throwing us out is too far. A rematch is in the middle and fair, clearly, given the options.

And no I don't agree with how they've treated us in other ways - the Nowlan Park episode & fixing the match for 3.30 last week with the soccer was horrendus.

But a rematch is fair in this situation - it's in the RULES. We weren't leading by 20 - we were leading by 2.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 23, 2016, 08:17:27 PM
The key issue here, in my opinion, is that GAA officials are taking no responsibility for overseeing the application of substitute rules. If the ref missed a square ball or a clear penalty, would the game be replayed? No. It makes no sense that official decisions like those cannot be reexamined but the rules about substitutions can. Total nonsense.

As for the 2 points or 20 points In my memory, Quigley was black carded in the 73rd minute. The free was awarded about 50 m out. The kick was taken and drifted about 15 yards to the right of the posts. It was collected by a Laois man (I forget which one but I think it was Damien O Connor). Laois went on the attack. Ross scored a point. The referee blew the final whistle.

The extra sub would not have changed the direction of Armagh's free. It might have changed the likelihood of a Laois man collecting it 15 yards to the right of goals - let's say the likelihood of an Armagh collecting it increased from 50:50 to 55:45). In the unlikely event that the course of history changed and an Armagh man collected the ball 15 yards to the right of goal, they would have had to score a goal from the next play. With 13 Laoismen behind the ball, this is very unlikely indeed (maybe one time out of 100 such attacks). Therefore chances that Armagh would have scored a goal from the next play without a substitute are probably of the order of 200 to 1 (because first they would have had to win the ball and then they would have had to score a goal against 13 men). Everyone, including Armagh and the GAA knows this. They can claim that this in in the RULES of course but they did nothing at all at the time to uphold the rules. To start reading the rulebook two days after the game is over is utterly nonsensical in my opinion. The time to apply the rules is when the game is going on - not in some back office in Crossmaglen or wherever 2 days after the game is over.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on June 23, 2016, 11:28:12 PM
I was fuming when the Dublin match went to Nowlan Park.
Same when we had to play at the same time as the belguim game despite both county boards
asking for it to be changed to 4.30
But i can accept this replay. The laois mgmt sent on a 7th sub. Your allowed 6. Its that simple.
Id rather replay it and lose it than do a meath (LF v Louth ) on it and win it dishonestly.

I think the extra match will help the development of the team.
I think we are a better team than Armagh.
I chose the ireland belguim match the last time but ill be there saturday week.

Small counties, not  just Laois are being treated with disdain by the upper echelons
of the GAA. I admit that that. I think it will reach a head soon but not sure how or
what will trigger it.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on June 24, 2016, 02:19:01 PM
I think it's already come to a head Ilikestrawberryjam. Counties are fielding weaker and weaker teams as the years go on, in the full and certain knowledge that they can't compete. Investment diminishes and interest follows suit. We are worlds apart in comparison to Dublin, yet we are expected to compete. I don't know a sport like it to be honest. They will eventually find a way to have an A and B Championship, but it won't entice smaller counties and nor will it attract youngsters and/or future players. Smaller county boards are populated by men who have designs on bigger positions in Leinster Council or beyond. Our own CB have lied down and taken their beating all year. This not so much because as Tony says, rules are rules. But the Nowlan Park issue was disgraceful and I personally would rather have forfeited the game than buy into the whole farce. I'd love to see my county stand up for itself every now and then and try and make a difference, rather than clock in and clock out.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on June 24, 2016, 06:11:17 PM
Is it true that minor semi final is now on a Tuesday night due to euros?? Really does seem like the don't give a shit about us alright
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 24, 2016, 07:12:20 PM
I see that Paddy Power has, for some reason, shortened the odds on a Laois win quite considerably.

Maybe it's to do with the fact that they mightn't have their visas in time to travel down to Portlaoise...... ;D
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: welcomehome on June 24, 2016, 10:04:52 PM
minor football fixed for 06.07 2016...wed night in omoores park....
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on June 28, 2016, 01:42:10 PM
So are we all set again for round two of Laois V Armagh....

I'm hearing Armagh are now well up for this and the 4 players who were due to travel abroad have stayed at home to play this game.

Laois are 1/2 on with the bookies which seems a very short price.

I think we will beat Armagh tho  and I'm looking forward to winning this game for the second time.

I hope the Laois lads get fired up for it.

Will O'Loughlin come straight back into the team...

I hope we get a few more supporters than we did the last day.....



Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on June 29, 2016, 11:36:46 AM
The last match could have gone either way, really, just a kick of the ball in it. Hence, I've no idea why we're warm favourites. Still, if we're up for this one, I predict a Laois win. Wouldn't surprise me in the least though if Armagh will be much better than they were the last day. Imagine the new lease of life after thinking you're out but then are right back in there. I hope our setup has these lads prepared for battle and ready to go from the 1st minute, as, by the sounds of things, Armagh are training very well and committed to this one. I believe in our lads - Laois by 2.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on June 29, 2016, 12:09:42 PM
Hopefully a good Laois crowd goes and supports the team. They may not be world beaters but put in a huge amount of work. For too long we've been outnumbered at home games.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on June 29, 2016, 12:15:48 PM
Again this will be a dog fight, not much between the two sides, I would not pay too much attention to the bookies odds, they had 1/7 for the remain side in the Brexit vote and we saw how that turned out, the market decided the price not the bookie, so the fact that people may be backing Laois to win does not make its so. 
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: SCFC on June 30, 2016, 07:24:21 AM
I believe we'll win again. The addition of JOL to the team will be a massive help.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on June 30, 2016, 08:24:26 AM
I think it will be about whichever team improves the most. Both teams were absolutely dreadful the last day with us slightly better.

Very hard to beat the same team twice when both teams are about the same level. Hope our boys have their heads right.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on June 30, 2016, 10:10:24 AM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on June 30, 2016, 08:24:26 AM
I think it will be about whichever team improves the most. Both teams were absolutely dreadful the last day with us slightly better.

Very hard to beat the same team twice when both teams are about the same level. Hope our boys have their heads right.

Looking back at the match again last night we worked very very hard to stop Armagh playing some of out tackling was immense and if we had to have converted the chances that were created on the back of this hard work then we would have won by 6/8 points...I hope the lads can keep the hard work up and I believe we can win it!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Dave like the tv channel on June 30, 2016, 10:24:15 AM
This replay should never have happened. 30-60 seconds on the field, with no noticeable impact on the play and never touched the ball.

I hope our lads are angry enough to bury Armagh the way they should have buried the f***ers in the first game.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 30, 2016, 11:40:22 AM
No need for that  Dave, why do they become f***ers after we break the rules. They didn't break them, we did so live with it.
I don't like it no more than anyone else but you can't lay the blame on Armagh and start insulting them because you're mad with our management and the officials.
I think we were the better team last day and there should be no reason that we can't go and win this one again but lets win it on the field by playing better football and respecting our opponents,
Don't be letting yourself and Laois down by throwing out insulting comments like that please...
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 30, 2016, 11:59:20 AM
We broke the rules. That can't be denied.

However, I don't accept that the full burden of responsibility should be on us and that everyone else benefits.

There are several officials who are supposed to be the guardians of the rules. They did not prevent the substitution from happening.

It is not clear what prompted the CCCC to make their enquiries about this but I doubt if the issue was raised by the GAA, by the match officials or by Laois...

I feel very sore about the way we were treated on this and I hope the players, management and supporters are too. I don't care if we don't win another game as long as we win this one.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 30, 2016, 12:19:18 PM
I agree with everything you say Giovanni, I'm just saying that there's no need to start insulting any other team or County for something like this.

I see the GAA have reduced the ticket prices for the game but someone should tell them it's football we're playing, not hurling..
QuoteGAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Qualifier Round 1A - Laois v Armagh REFIXTURE

O'Moore Park, Laois
02/07/2016 15:00

GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Qualifier
Round 1A REFIXTURE
Laois v Armagh
Throw in: 15:00

Ticket Information:
Adult: €10.00/£8.00
Juvenile (Under 16 Years of Age): €5.00/£5.00
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on June 30, 2016, 12:30:13 PM
At least that's something.

Personally, though, I would have preferred to see them let the kids in for free.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 30, 2016, 12:38:39 PM
Me too, and give them all a free hurl..  ;D  :)
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 30, 2016, 12:40:46 PM
McKeever blow for Armagh
29 June 2016


Armagh must plan without their influential captain Ciaran McKeever for their refixed All-Ireland SFC qualifier clash against Laois.

The O'Moore County had recorded a 1-10 to 0-10 win over the Ulster side when they met a fortnight ago, but Laois used seven substitutes when they introduced Shane Murphy for Brendan Quigley who had received a black card.

Croke Park ruled that the game would be played again and it has been fixed for Portlaoise this Saturday afternoon.

However, Kieran McGeeney must plan without the experienced McKeever who suffered a broken foot while playing for his club.

Also on the injured list are James Morgan and Mark Shields, while it is unclear if some of the younger players on the squad will be available as some were supposed to head to Euro 2016 in France last week and the States for the summer.



Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Dave like the tv channel on July 01, 2016, 07:17:38 AM
Quote from: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 30, 2016, 11:40:22 AM
No need for that  Dave, why do they become f***ers after we break the rules. They didn't break them, we did so live with it.
I don't like it no more than anyone else but you can't lay the blame on Armagh and start insulting them because you're mad with our management and the officials.
I think we were the better team last day and there should be no reason that we can't go and win this one again but lets win it on the field by playing better football and respecting our opponents,
Don't be letting yourself and Laois down by throwing out insulting comments like that please...

meh
Title: Tuarisc
Post by: drici on July 01, 2016, 07:42:45 AM
Haven't seen anything apart from this.

CLG Laois
21 June at 12:17 ·

Further to All Ireland Qualifier Laois v Armagh last weekend, CCCC following an investigation arising from Referees Report has proposed that this game is to be replayed, at a venue and date to be confirmed. The investigation has found that Laois to be in breach of Rule 6.44, in that they exceeded the number of substitutes permitted. Laois GAA following a Management Meeting this evening has decided to accept the proposed penalty.
https://www.facebook.com/CLGLaois/posts/994488944004838
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Don Draper on July 01, 2016, 08:09:44 AM
Quote from: Dave like the tv channel on July 01, 2016, 07:17:38 AM
Quote from: Junior Ex Laoistalk on June 30, 2016, 11:40:22 AM
No need for that  Dave, why do they become f***ers after we break the rules. They didn't break them, we did so live with it.
I don't like it no more than anyone else but you can't lay the blame on Armagh and start insulting them because you're mad with our management and the officials.
I think we were the better team last day and there should be no reason that we can't go and win this one again but lets win it on the field by playing better football and respecting our opponents,
Don't be letting yourself and Laois down by throwing out insulting comments like that please...

meh
Agreed.

Also, McKeever is no loss for them, in fact his loss could improve them, he's a dreadful footballer, just awful. Laois by 3.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 01, 2016, 09:35:42 AM
It'd be a real kick in the back side if we lost after being the better team the first day. What a poor way to exit the championship if so. Therefore I really hope we snuff out the Armagh threat from the start. If they get a run on us, it will be a long, long day. The team sheets and positions on the day will be interesting. McGeeney likely to have plenty of tactics to counteract us. Really hope we have a plan B if it's going wrong. Last day we looked good in 2nd half as we got the lead and Armagh were always chasing us. If it's the opposite, and we're chasing by 3 -5 with 25 mins left, it will take a lot to come back. That's where proper tactics come in, not "hail mary" tactics. Hopfully Cunningham is still knocking around.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on July 01, 2016, 04:22:22 PM
Laois football manager Mick Lillis has named the same 15 players to start that he named ahead of the recent win over Armagh for tomorrow's re-fixture at O'Moore Park.

Gearoid Hanrahan came in for Gareth Dillon ahead of throw in two weeks ago while John O'Loughlin is expected to play tomorrow after serving his one game suspension.

The team named for tomorrow's 3pm throw in is:

1. Graham Brody (Portlaoise)
2. Stephen Attride (Killeshin)
3. Mark Timmons (Graiguecullen)
4. Damien O'Connor (Timahoe)
5. Darren Strong (Emo)
6. Kieran Lillis (Portlaoise)
7. Gareth Dillon (Portlaoise)
8. Brendan Quigley (Timahoe)
9. Kevin Meaney (Arles-Kilcruise)
10. Niall Donoher (Courtwood)
11. Paul Cahillane (Portlaoise)
12. Colm Begley (Stradbally)
13. Conor Meredith (O'Dempsey's)
14. Donal Kingston (Arles-Killeen)
15. David Conway (Arles-Kilcruise)

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney has made two changes for tomorrow's All-Ireland Football Qualifier refixture against Laois at O'Moore Park.

Sean Connell and Stephen Sheridan come in for Mark Shields and Ciaran McKeever.

With McKeever missing out due a broken foot, the side will be captained by Aidan Forker.

1. Patrick Morrison (Cláirsigh Ard Mhacha)
2. Shea Heffron (Clann Éireann)
3. Brendan Donaghy (An Chluain Mhór)
4. Joe McElroy (Cláirsigh Ard Mhacha)
5. Seán Connell (Coilleach Eanach)
6. Andy Mallon (Na Pairnéil)
7. Stephen Sheridan (Foirceal)
8. Charlie Vernon (Cláirsigh Ard Mhacha)
9. Aaron Findon (Naomh Peadar)
10. Tony Kernan (Raonaithe na Croise)
11. Rory Grugan (Baile Mhic An Aba)
12. Aidan Forker (c) (Machaire)
13. Niall Grimley (Na Madáin)
14. Stefan Campbell (Clann na nGael)
15. Miceal McKenna (An Ghráinseach)
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on July 02, 2016, 03:40:25 PM
Listening to it on the net, 7 point lead at half time, sounds like Armagh are not up for this at all. Still Laois can only beat whats in front of them (again). The extra game means Cunningham's influence on the squad is improving with each game. County board should be looking to tie him down for a couple of years before other counties come calling in the autumn.


Looks like i may have spoken too soon, Laois need to wake up here.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on July 02, 2016, 04:39:59 PM
Hard to know what to make of that listening online, would have been a seriously damaging defeat after the half time scoreline. On the plus side its good that they were able to pull the win out of the fire once the tide had turned in the second half.

Anyone at it lads? was it as bad as it sounded?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Boy Wonder on July 02, 2016, 06:27:07 PM
Phew - should have been done and dusted at half-time and almost a nightmare in the end.
While our defence has vastly improved we have a huge problem converting possession into scores.
For now it's just a relief to get over Armagh after the CCCC farce.

PS
Great to see an improved Laois crowd today and great vocal support.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Monument Road on July 02, 2016, 06:35:42 PM
Is round 2 on saturday or sunday next....hopefully saturday and make a night out of it
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: theoldvet on July 02, 2016, 06:38:48 PM
What the hell is wrong with Kingston ?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Butch Cassidy on July 02, 2016, 06:50:09 PM
Kingston had 2/3 lads on him. Great character shown by the team. The fear was it would be another Antrim shocker but the manner in the way the lads pulled through should give them confidence for next Sunday.

Finden get a red for sledging?

Good atmosphere in the end, hopefully both players and support can build on it.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on July 02, 2016, 07:06:26 PM
This was an atrocious display from our lads in my opinion. If they play like that next weekend, Clare will beat them handily. We very nearly had to "take our medicine" against the worst Armagh team for years.

I don't understand what's going on with the fitness regime but most of them looked like they were past it. It's hard for me to understand how 14 men were able to live with super fit Dublin a few weeks ago and today look like they're hardly able to move (with a few notable exceptions).

I thought the injustice of last week might drive them to being completely ruthless today. But they weren't. The tackling was again half-hearted, runners not tracked (or tracked 10 yards behind), poor passing (often under no pressure).

The backs did reasonably well in the first 15 minutes but in truth there might have only been a point or two in it at half time if Armagh had a few players.  Some of our own shooting was nearly as bad.

A huge disappointment for me.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Faugheen on July 02, 2016, 07:07:01 PM
Quote from: theoldvet on July 02, 2016, 06:38:48 PM
What the hell is wrong with Kingston ?
He hasn't been right for a while now, would have taken him off before David Conway. We cannot afford the luxury of keeping him on the field when he is not performing.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on July 02, 2016, 08:23:13 PM
They are not performing, Dublin pulled up against us.   
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 03, 2016, 10:21:39 AM
Quote from: BallyroanAbu on July 02, 2016, 08:23:13 PM
They are not performing, Dublin pulled up against us.
Love it. When we have a good 2nd half against Dublin, they were pulling up. When Armagh have a good 2nd half against us, we're just an awful team  ;D

I think this was a great win. Armagh aren't as bad as we make out. Sure they're not Armagh of 2002 but they're well organised, managed by one of the top tacticians in the game, imo. Championship Armagh are never easy to beat. They really, really wanted to win this, but we won - twice.

We won ugly, twice - we adapted to play and beat a highly defensive Armagh team. I know we're not world beaters but Clare will be our 5th Championship game this summer. We're building momentum - I can't stress enough how much Cunningham has made a difference to this setup. We're lucky to have him. The difference he's made is clear for all to see, especially considering we were going back 15 - 20 years with our league tactics and set up. We likely would have exited the championship by now had it not been for him. Really hoping the county board is smart enough to also see that.

Clare is 50/50 but if we win, we'll still be in championship in late July/August and who knows from there as there's no denying we are building momentum.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: south Laois on July 03, 2016, 10:27:22 AM
Is the Clare game on Saturday or Sunday?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 03, 2016, 10:38:38 AM
It's on Saturday, 7pm.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on July 03, 2016, 11:49:27 AM
Armagh had a good first half against us too. We gave them well over a dozen scoreable chances in the first half and thankfully their shooting was as bad as I've ever seen from a county team.

I think we have a decent complement of good players but I don't think we're well prepared either physically or tactically. The tactic of playing Donie Kingston in the middle third is really baffling to me. He doesn't tackle, doesn't track players and is very often turned over because he takes too much out of the ball. He can however  do damage at full forward and was doing damage there for most of the league.

Having players behind the ball is only helpful if they're doing something and I'm afraid too many of them weren't doing very much yesterday.

This is not an argument about whether we're a good team or a bad team. It's about the tam reaching its potential. I believe we have much more than we showed yesterday. I certainly hope so
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on July 03, 2016, 05:18:33 PM
Deluded
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on July 04, 2016, 10:57:28 AM
Its was a very mixed bag on Saturday ..
Defensively we have improved to be fair but we dont have a cohesive attacking plan.
Agree about Donie, ok he is often double marked but his comes across as unfit
He need to be kept inside the 45. Its a pity G Walsh went for glory at the end, if
he'd slipped it to Donie it was a certain goal. Might have got Donie motoring again.
WE we decent in the first half and were definitely the better team. WE thought
we had it won at half time and Armagh came out and threw caution to the wind.
The got a couple of quick points and started to push up on our kick outs while
we continued to concede their kickouts .. this gave them serious momentum.

WE looked done for when we went 2 down .. but the the best laois footballer of
recent times came off the bench to save the day. Ross has been doing it for
13 years and can still do it.  Also Fair play to walsh he nailed that
45 in style ..

I agree we looked unfit coming into the last 10 minutes .. and we were badly
struggling to track runners ..

merdith, JOL, cahillane, donie, strong were out on their feet in those closing minutes.

Nowadays benches oftern win matches and to be fair our bench won it for us in
those last 10 minutes .. the easy thing would have been to fold ..

I thought Timmons was superb AGAIN ..
corner backs were decent ..
Lillis was decent
Quigley was really good, JOL mixed the good with the bad
Thought cahillane was poor, he gets on so much ball out on
the 45 but not much comes from it .. its not from lack of trying to be fair ..
D conway was excellent in the first half, meredith really good before running out of steam
Begely was quite as was Donie..

It was a match to win regardless of how you won it ..
Often matches like that bring a team on a lot ..

Clare will be a huge test .. i really have no idea how it will go but unless
Donie can find some form and we can get decent ball to him its hard to
see us progressing ..





























Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 04, 2016, 12:19:19 PM
We have to accept what we have and our limitations. We don't have strength in depth and we need our core group to perform every day, which can't happen. Donie gets put in full forward and long balls are pumped into him. That is not his strength. Never was and never will be. He is at his best when the ball is played into space, which doesn't exist against the likes of Armagh, at least in that area of the field. You'd be better bringing all of them out and going in with the ball, because average teams will foul you every time.

I was annoyed at the treatment of Kevin Meaney. Fair enough Johnno is a class act but Meaney was good against Dublin and Armagh. It would have done no harm at all to let him start, and it would have brought a bit of continuity to the thing. Giving lads automatic starting slots is not a good idea
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on July 04, 2016, 02:19:22 PM
Donie was treble marked for most of the game and the Full back kept running forward to try and take Donie out of position which worked but the big man put in a lot of effort and can be commended for that...

I can't understand why he wasn't taken them frees in the first half from 35-45 yards out he is well capable of knocking them over out of his hands.

Over all it wasn't the best standard of game but I still think its not easy to beat the same team twice and Armagh despite there poor form are no mugs.

My ratings

Brody 7 -Good accurate kickouts  finding Darren Strong and Paul Cahilane with clever change of direction won't be overaly happy with the mix up for the goal but not entirely his fault.

Attride 7 Having a great season so far great defender and great pace going forward he can be happy with his display

Timmons 7 Would been a contender for man of the match but for the goal which was unlike the big man he is a class act and a joy to watch.

O'Connor 6 Was a little bit unlucky with the black card maybe his eagerness to get into the game was to blame for the third man tackle.

Strong 6 Not his usual bundle of energy kicked a lovely score which is nearly the norm now but faded in the second half which is unusual.Should have passed to Merdith when he had that goal chance in the first half.

Lillis 8 I thought Kieran had a great game he won back countless balls and is an example to the rest in the way he tackles set up the Laois goal as well.

Hanrahan 7 Didn't do much wrong has a presence about him and is calm on the ball.Needs to work on his tackling one and one but showed well in defence.

O'Loughlin 6 Looked a little off the pace but still managed two points one of which was vital. I wonder what he would be like closer to the goals maybe it could be food for thought .

Quigley 9 Another outstanding shift by the big man in the middle he was superb anyone who has doubts about him should really go to more matches he rarely has a bad game.His work rate going forward and back is priceless.

Donoher 6 Again like Strong not his usual busy self he tried hard to get into the game and was on a lot of ball in the first half.Kicked a superb point in the early minutes.

Cahilanne 6 probably was on the ball more than any Laois player but it never really happened for him.He kicked away some ball in the first half along with at least two bad wides.He showed great courage in getting on the ball and on another day things will go better for him.

Begley 6 Was quite in fact very quiet for his usual standards didn't look 100% fit and seemed to be carrying a leg he did work hard and was strong on the ball he rarely gives it away which is a bonus at this level.

Meredith 8 Was on his way to being up there for man of the match broke the defensive line so well on solo runs was always available for the ball and scored a great goal he is having a good season.

Kingston 6 As usual he was marked by at least two I think he should stay in near the goals more and let someone else track one of his man markers when the burst forward.He could have had a goal if walsh had passed the ball near the end.

Conway 8 Laois's best forward in the first half and was a danger throughout surprised he was taken off but he did get a dead leg early in proceedings .He has added a real spark to the full forward line.

Subs
Farrell 8 I thought he was superb three great interceptions and added real legs to the defense

Meaney 7 was very unlucky not to start Him and Quigley is our best midfield two and play much better together.

Munnelly 8 hard to beat class and Ross has it superb 15 minutes for the Laois Legend a great luxury to bring of the bench

Dillion 6 Didn't get on a lot of ball but did track Cambell well used his pace to get into good defensive positions

Walsh 7 added real bite to the attack how he wasn't on earlier is a mystery he must been left for 8 minutes standing waiting to come on.Great 45 has to be in contention to start the next day as we are struggling with long range frees.

Campion -Not on long enought to rate.


Overall I was thrilled with the win and I hope the game will bring us on even more.

Clare will be a tough nut to crack in Ennis and they are a team on the up but I think we have the quality and hunger to beat them.

I can't wait for the trip to Ennis I hope Laois travel in numbers next weekend as these lads deserve support.

It was refreshing to see such numbers there on Saturday and what was there made plenty of noise.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 04, 2016, 03:27:35 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on July 04, 2016, 12:19:19 PM
We have to accept what we have and our limitations...
I dislike this type of comment - as if we're not aware of our limitations. In what year have we not had limitations, ever?

We have a lot of limitations, quite obviously, we're missing quite a lot in terms of overall strength. However, we're doing our best - something all supporters can agree on - it's something we can only ask of the lads - try their best.

For that reason, I'm really glad with the way the lads are coming along this season. We could easily have lost that match Saturday but we stood up and were counted when it mattered.

Of course we're not world beaters, but if we can get a run in the qualifiers, maybe 3rd or 4th round, it'd be very hard to argue with that.

For me, Walsh and Meaney have got to start next time. Walsh has paid his dues now for that unfortunate incident, surely. Conway playing very well, so is Conor, for me, either Donoher or Cahilane should somehow make way for Walsh with a possible swap around. Merideth doing very well in the corner and definately a danger man for us with speed and 2 goals in 2 games. Walsh deserves to be in surely.

Looking forward to Ennis on Saturday. Bookies have us very slight favourites. At least we know we'll give it 100%. Good to see we finally have a good setup this year. Better late than never. Saturday will be interesting. Laois abu.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Faugheen on July 04, 2016, 04:58:56 PM
Game now switched to 1pm on Sunday in Ennis... Another diabolical decision. >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on July 04, 2016, 05:12:43 PM
Sunday suits me better....I hope the team go down the night before and are treated to a Hotel stay etc....Like Armagh were for the two games up here...

Travelling down there at 8/9 in the morning would spell trouble for them!As it did earlier in the season against Fermanagh
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on July 04, 2016, 05:28:57 PM
Extra day recovery for the players.

Only an hour and a half from Portlaoise to Ennis so not the most arduous journey for players or supporters.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: theoldvet on July 04, 2016, 06:56:37 PM
I agree about Cahillane he getting on the ball a lot, but failing to get any scores
and missing the odd simple free as well.
Begely had 3 shots for points the first day and two more last sat 5 wides in all. [ bad return ]
As for Kingston [ he is doing my head in ]
if we could these 3 players to get a few scores,we would be well on our way
of beating Clare next weekend.


.,
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 04, 2016, 08:03:23 PM
Quote from: Tony on July 04, 2016, 03:27:35 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on July 04, 2016, 12:19:19 PM
We have to accept what we have and our limitations...
I dislike this type of comment - as if we're not aware of our limitations. In what year have we not had limitations, ever?

We have a lot of limitations, quite obviously, we're missing quite a lot in terms of overall strength. However, we're doing our best - something all supporters can agree on - it's something we can only ask of the lads - try their best.

For that reason, I'm really glad with the way the lads are coming along this season. We could easily have lost that match Saturday but we stood up and were counted when it mattered.

Of course we're not world beaters, but if we can get a run in the qualifiers, maybe 3rd or 4th round, it'd be very hard to argue with that.

For me, Walsh and Meaney have got to start next time. Walsh has paid his dues now for that unfortunate incident, surely. Conway playing very well, so is Conor, for me, either Donoher or Cahilane should somehow make way for Walsh with a possible swap around. Merideth doing very well in the corner and definately a danger man for us with speed and 2 goals in 2 games. Walsh deserves to be in surely.

Looking forward to Ennis on Saturday. Bookies have us very slight favourites. At least we know we'll give it 100%. Good to see we finally have a good setup this year. Better late than never. Saturday will be interesting. Laois abu.

Settle down there. The comment was aimed at a few here who seemed to be expecting more of individuals and the team. It has its limitations and we can't get to where we would like to be, but we're doing as well as you could expect and probably better based on the league. I'm delighted just to be winning a couple of games. I don't agree that Walsh deserves a spot. He doesn't contribute enough from open play at this level in my opinion. I don't think we've seen this best of him in a Laois shirt at all. Not by a long chalk. We would have some player the day that happens. He is miles ahead of anyone in his club/parish yet some are starting ahead of him
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Monument Road on July 04, 2016, 08:10:20 PM
Quote from: Faugheen on July 04, 2016, 04:58:56 PM
Game now switched to 1pm on Sunday in Ennis... Another diabolical decision. >:( >:( >:(
Clare hurlers are playing in Thurles saturday evening @7.The extra day will help our lads and as someone already said they should stay overnight.Maybe in Limerick and have an early warm up session somewhere close on sunday morning
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Heshs Umpire on July 05, 2016, 11:05:46 AM
No matter what happens now, it's a big improvement on going out to Antrim last year.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 05, 2016, 11:44:57 AM
True. I'm just hoping that Cunningham will stay on. If not, we'll likely have a similar setup as the league again in 2017, and if that's the case, it'll be a disaster. It's no secret - the impact Cunningham has had. The players know it; the fans see it. I hope beyond hope he's kept on or promoted but I highly doubt it as a man of his talents isn't available for long. Get on it, County Board - if you've any sense at all. Lillis is a really nice football man but he's nowhere near enough to get the best out of the players. The likelyhood is that Lillis will be kept on, as this season looks half- decent - then Cunningham will go - then we'll have a very poor 2017 due to lack of know-how in the setup. I hope Laois are pro- active and don't let that happen. Cunningham for Laois 2017. There's no way we would have beaten Armagh twice or given a half decent account of ourselves vs Dublin without Cunningham on board.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on July 05, 2016, 12:16:38 PM
Quote from: Tony on July 05, 2016, 11:44:57 AM
True. I'm just hoping that Cunningham will stay on. If not, we'll likely have a similar setup as the league again in 2017, and if that's the case, it'll be a disaster. It's no secret - the impact Cunningham has had. The players know it; the fans see it. I hope beyond hope he's kept on or promoted but I highly doubt it as a man of his talents isn't available for long. Get on it, County Board - if you've any sense at all. Lillis is a really nice football man but he's nowhere near enough to get the best out of the players. The likelyhood is that Lillis will be kept on, as this season looks half- decent - then Cunningham will go - then we'll have a very poor 2017 due to lack of know-how in the setup. I hope Laois are pro- active and don't let that happen. Cunningham for Laois 2017. There's no way we would have beaten Armagh twice or given a half decent account of ourselves vs Dublin without Cunningham on board.

How much do we know about his actual influence and capability? True, the team has tried to put a defensive structure in place since he has been involved but it has hardly been sophisticated. All I have seen so far is that we are putting 12-13 lads back into our half. What they do when they get there is still highly questionable and what we do when we get the ball is even more questionable. Would be interested in an inside view of whether they are building up a plan and starting to take shape around it or if the tactical planning has just switched from 'get out and do your best' to 'get out and do your best and most of ye stay back'. Hope it is not the case but wondering if anyone has any insight into a vision or a strategic direction for the team.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on July 05, 2016, 02:01:20 PM
Any chance healy will join up with footballers now the hurlers are gone?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Monument Road on July 05, 2016, 02:33:28 PM
Quote from: Joeythelips on July 05, 2016, 02:01:20 PM
Any chance healy will join up with footballers now the hurlers are gone?
Rumour has it Healy was injured on saturday evening against clare. A serious enough shoulder injury which could keep him out of the club championship....
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on July 05, 2016, 04:57:34 PM
Broken collar bone I heard.....
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 05, 2016, 09:25:50 PM
Cahir was badly injured in the hurling against Clare. Pity, I hear there would have been a good chance of him joining up with the footballers. Pity, he would have added a lot to our strength in depth and knows Lillis very well. Nothing we can do about that now, though. Fair play to Cahir for continuing to give his all for the county, the lad is an absolute credit to himself.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Monument Road on July 05, 2016, 10:39:40 PM
Quote from: Tony on July 05, 2016, 09:25:50 PM
Cahir was badly injured in the hurling against Clare. Pity, I hear there would have been a good chance of him joining up with the footballers. Pity, he would have added a lot to our strength in depth and knows Lillis very well. Nothing we can do about that now, though. Fair play to Cahir for continuing to give his all for the county, the lad is an absolute credit to himself.
Well said...
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on July 06, 2016, 12:26:16 AM
What a pity, he would have been a great addition to the squad and would have boosted their confidence a lot.
Hopefully he will commit next year, personally I think he never should have left..
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on July 06, 2016, 09:58:56 AM
Cahir is a bit of a legend for portlaoise and Laois. His commitment is incredible.
But being honest at this stage i think we should stick with these new lads if we are to move forward.
Attride has the potential to be a great corner back and Hanrahan looks like he could be
top too given time. Also Robbie Keogh is to come back. Seale too with time could make it.
I think Cahir must be nearly 30 at this stage .. His first love is hurling .. i think he should stick to it ..
Playing both codes from a different country isnt a runner .. Huge respect to the man though ..

I would like to see Walsh and Meaney start on Sunday replacing begley and cahillane ..

No one should be gauranteed a spot on the team  .. keeps everyone on their toes ..

Cant call it ..
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on July 06, 2016, 04:27:47 PM
Laois football looks like its on the up ...Last nights result in the minors has captured everyones imagination coupled with the two victories over Armagh...

A win on Sunday and a nice draw....Sligo at home and we could be on to something this year......

Amazing what difference a few weeks can make can't wait to go to Ennis now and the Leinster Final!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: County Man on July 07, 2016, 12:24:57 PM
Exactly there is a real feel good factor at the moment with Laois football.

I hope a decent following travels down and we can grab a win to continue the momentum.

I feel it will be a more high scoring game than both of the Armagh clashes and I fully believe we will win.

Anthony Cunningham's work has been tremendous and it is the main reason we are here.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on July 07, 2016, 12:57:16 PM
Quote from: County Man on July 07, 2016, 12:24:57 PM
Anthony Cunningham's work has been tremendous and it is the main reason we are here.

Would ask the same question that I asked above. Is the Anthony Cunningham story myth or reality?

From previous comment:

How much do we know about his actual influence and capability? True, the team has tried to put a defensive structure in place since he has been involved but it has hardly been sophisticated. All I have seen so far is that we are putting 12-13 lads back into our half. What they do when they get there is still highly questionable and what we do when we get the ball is even more questionable. Would be interested in an inside view of whether they are building up a plan and starting to take shape around it or if the tactical planning has just switched from 'get out and do your best' to 'get out and do your best and most of ye stay back'. Hope it is not the case but wondering if anyone has any insight into a vision or a strategic direction for the team.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on July 07, 2016, 01:52:01 PM
Quote from: blueandwhite1 on July 07, 2016, 12:57:16 PM
Quote from: County Man on July 07, 2016, 12:24:57 PM
Anthony Cunningham's work has been tremendous and it is the main reason we are here.

Would ask the same question that I asked above. Is the Anthony Cunningham story myth or reality?

From previous comment:

How much do we know about his actual influence and capability? True, the team has tried to put a defensive structure in place since he has been involved but it has hardly been sophisticated. All I have seen so far is that we are putting 12-13 lads back into our half. What they do when they get there is still highly questionable and what we do when we get the ball is even more questionable. Would be interested in an inside view of whether they are building up a plan and starting to take shape around it or if the tactical planning has just switched from 'get out and do your best' to 'get out and do your best and most of ye stay back'. Hope it is not the case but wondering if anyone has any insight into a vision or a strategic direction for the team.

From what I know and it comes from a panelist its a lot more structured than that he has an input in everything and is superb with the players.

He has tried to change the tactics so as to concede less which was first trialed out against Dublin in the second half and has continued from there..

The transition from defence to attack has not been as smooth but this is what is been worked on.

I think if Kingston clicks and Conway and Meridth keep winning hard ball then we could be on to something ...

O'Loughlin in the forward line is a big possibility as well this Sunday which would be another option......


I just hope the prep is good and that Laois are ready for the early throw in down there!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 07, 2016, 02:46:54 PM
Good to have some inside knowledge, cheers unlaoised.

But it's pretty clear it was Cunningham who has brought on this change anyway. Before Cunningham (BC) , Lillis was saying stuff like "the way we play is just the laois way", but after Cunningham arrived, our style has suddenly changed a lot - it's no co-incidence. As stated, Lillis seems like a very nice football man but reading between the lines, he's not a tactical genius or even a tactical intermediate.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on July 07, 2016, 05:04:26 PM
I would agree that, overall, Anthony Cunningham's arrival seems to have coincided with an improvement in performances (particularly the second half against Dublin and the first game against Armagh).

Having said that, I would fully agree with the implication of blueandwhite's question. Our defence has tightened up and that may have something to do with a lot of lads filtering back, which is probably a new "tactic" introduced by Cunningham this year. But it may also be linked to the fact that Gearoid Hanrahan and Stephen Attride are playing great stuff beside Mark Timmons, which we didn't have for most of the league. Modern football is obviously about working hard and defending in numbers but in the last game against Armagh, I saw at least a third of those defending players serving no real defensive function. We conceded well over 20 very scoreable chances to them, which definitely would have been taken by better teams.

If you were watching Kerry last weekend, you would see the job they did on the Tipp kickouts. Most of Tipp's kickouts had to go long and were promptly swallowed up by the bigger and stronger Kerry middle third. I don't understand why we concede the kickouts so easily, particularly when we have such a strong midfield.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Underthescoreboard on July 08, 2016, 07:00:20 AM
Don't forget that 40,000 Tipp and Waterford supporters will be trying to get through Limerick (via tunnel and city) to get to the Gaelic grounds for Sunday afternoon too. It will be pretty backed up by the toll plaza for the tunnel. So make sure to leave extra time when heading to Ennis.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on July 08, 2016, 09:50:00 AM
Thanks for the heads up. The Munster Final is at 4pm isn't it?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: OTF on July 08, 2016, 01:03:40 PM
Quote from: Giovanni on July 07, 2016, 05:04:26 PM
I would agree that, overall, Anthony Cunningham's arrival seems to have coincided with an improvement in performances (particularly the second half against Dublin and the first game against Armagh).

Having said that, I would fully agree with the implication of blueandwhite's question. Our defence has tightened up and that may have something to do with a lot of lads filtering back, which is probably a new "tactic" introduced by Cunningham this year. But it may also be linked to the fact that Gearoid Hanrahan and Stephen Attride are playing great stuff beside Mark Timmons, which we didn't have for most of the league. Modern football is obviously about working hard and defending in numbers but in the last game against Armagh, I saw at least a third of those defending players serving no real defensive function. We conceded well over 20 very scoreable chances to them, which definitely would have been taken by better teams.

If you were watching Kerry last weekend, you would see the job they did on the Tipp kickouts. Most of Tipp's kickouts had to go long and were promptly swallowed up by the bigger and stronger Kerry middle third. I don't understand why we concede the kickouts so easily, particularly when we have such a strong midfield.

Would you concede the reason the two lads are playing well is because they are not being totally exposed  anymore. I do agree a lot of those filtering back are not doing much defending this was true back in McNulty day, would this is got to do with their poor tackling skills often discussed here.

What I find ironic is, it has taken us 3 years and 2 to 2.5 managers and much anguish to get us back to where  we were ( the dreaded McNulty game ) the last time we played Clare. Hope we get the same performance AND  result.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 08, 2016, 01:31:14 PM
McNulty's tactics were different. All the top teams have modern tactics.

We have a choice:

We can play 15 v 15 and be crap.

Or we have tactics for the modern game and compete.

And no that doesn't mean 14 men behind the ball. Some people have a distaste for the modern game but they don't even know how it works.


Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on July 08, 2016, 02:43:58 PM
McNulty was building a system and ethos but probably too slowly. A bit like McGeeney he wanted a perfect defensive system and robotic compliance to a set plan and left the attacking plan for down the road once we got the defence right. The problem was that perfection was unobtainable and the team got stagnant and didn't express themselves going forward. Therefore we were always stuck with 14 men in the one half of the pitch. In fairness under McNulty Laois learned to compete physically and he transformed us from lightweights (go back 7 or 8 years and that was by far our no.1 complaint - men against boys). We also had more defensive shape than now although it is arguable if it was as effective as it needed to be. The challenge is to get the mix right and to blend patient penetration against blanket defences before taking on the shot, and knowing when to break at speed and get quick purposeful ball in. My assessment of Laois today is that we are at a very early stage of this and I hope we are working on improving it.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Underthescoreboard on July 08, 2016, 03:25:28 PM
You also need good scoring forwards for any defensive system to work. McNulty was a bit unlucky that we didn't have an over flowing stick of them for his last two years. Still though, we competed with tier one teams and were only beaten by the reigning all Ireland champions to knock us out in his last 2 years.

What followed in the next 2 years best forgotten about.

There's no doubt about Cunninghams influence. It is early days. As Cork hurlers found out against Tipp, you can't develop a sweeper system in just 8 weeks. Sure we are finding out feet, but it was always going to be brutal against Armagh. They are also very defensive. Effectively what you had last Saturday was both teams retreating with 13 players to their own '45 when they lost the ball. It looks completely different against Dublin when you are breaking into a half an acre of space.

The thing about this system is that it is effective. Effective against tier 1 counties as it provides protection for your full back line and effective against your own level because you will never concede high scores. Let's just put it this way, would we have conceded 5 goals to Derry playing like we did last Saturday.

The previous comment was correct in saying that McNulty fell down because we didn't know what to do with the ball once we had it, we have better forwards now, so we just have to utilise them better. But it will take time. I mean at this stage, so we even know our six best forwards?

It's scrappy and looks awful but it's a hell of a lot better than having Derry or Galway saunter down the middle of your defence scoring at will.

Finally, it's going to be tight again on Saturday, but beating Armagh twice should see us have the composure to see out a tight game. I think we'll win 0-14 to 0-13 or something like that. Wouldn't be surprised if we were behind for a lot of it, Clare are a good well drilled side.

Them if we got Sligo at home and then Tipperary in Tullamore, we could potentially be having a cut off the Connaught champions for a place in an all Ireland semi. That's the dream. That's why inter county players for Laois put in so much effort.

There's a great opportunity here, the systems not perfect, the football maybe tough to watch but the lads will leave it all on the field and I for one, am fairly happy with where we are now, and where we are going. Up Laois!!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on July 08, 2016, 04:44:44 PM
Good discussion here.

My take on it is that we would have conceded a very high score on Saturday if Armagh were any good at all. The number of chances they kicked away was unreal. Fair enough, we kicked away a good few of our own but if we're talking about defensive solidity, last Saturday's display would not give me much confidence.

Having said that, I thought the second half against Dublin and the first match against Armagh was better defensively - Armagh kicked a good few wides the first day but that was, in many cases, down to the pressure that was put on the kicker. The second day it was much more about plain bad shooting on Armagh's part.

Clare have some decent players, especially in midfield and up front (I don't think they have a great defence though so we shouldn't forget that either when we're devising our "tactics"). They scored 17 points against Kerry. They scored an average of 17 points a game in the league. This'll be a test for the defensive system.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on July 08, 2016, 08:36:12 PM
Maybe Cunningham has steadied ship we will know for sure on Sunday.  How can you judge on the Dublin game where they were out of sight & the Armagh team the only team we beat in the League (incidentally away from home).  Sunday is judgement day for Lillis (prob gone anyway)  & Cunningham who I doubt is any use but lets see.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: theoldvet on July 08, 2016, 09:48:03 PM
Good discussion here, but could someone tell me why
Armagh completely took over the first 20 min
of the second half, and score 1 4 [ I think ]
without reply.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: maccer on July 09, 2016, 12:15:47 AM
Because it wasn't robotic football like the first half was. Teams get used to the pedestrian familiar pattern of..we'll let you take a short kick out and start handpassing the ball slowly up the field...meanwhile we'll retreat and try to turn you over once you get to our45...Then you retreat and we'll handpass the ball slowly back down the field etc etc. Armagh pushed up into laois faces in the first 20 mins of the second half, contested every kick out and actually won some ball in our half of the field. They play with abandon which seemed to shock our lads until in fairness to them they composed themselves and pushed on with better subscription. It was actually good football to watch from Armagh. There is plenty of talk around that teams are moving away from the ultra negative approach. Hopefully we're not just starting to adopt it when the better teams are moving to some new firm of play
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: maccer on July 09, 2016, 12:17:22 AM
That should have been " better substitutions"
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on July 09, 2016, 12:31:08 AM
Quote from: theoldvet on July 08, 2016, 09:48:03 PM
Good discussion here, but could someone tell me why
Armagh completely took over the first 20 min
of the second half, and score 1 4 [ I think ]
without reply.

I'm looking at Laois football a good number of years now and believe me, it's always been the same.
Somewhere in our subconscious we think we are a seriously good team and when we get a big lead up we mentally switch off believing that "we can be that great team again whenever we want" and blow teams away.
Obviously it doesn't work like that and we suffer defeats a lot when we should have won. I think that's why you very seldom see Laois teams go a long way ahead of our rivals through fear as we simply don't know what to do if we find ourselves in that situation. That's where we need a good management team and strong leaders on the field to guide us through those rare times.
Sunday could be one of those days. I think we are good enough to build up a good lead as in my opinion we are a better team than them but they need to start believing that.

I would go man to man for the first 20 mins and see what they're made of as I think we would be stronger than them in most areas of the field. Depending on how that goes we could plan our strategy for the remainder of the game. If we go behind we have to develop a fear of losing and play as if winning is the only thing that matters and if we are leading we have to develop the same fear of being beaten and protect what we have.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: redsetanta on July 10, 2016, 10:23:28 AM
Best of luck to the team today and those of you travelling down. Meanwy and Walsh will be disappointed not to be starting but two good lads to bring on. In fairness hey're probably better suited to that role.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: SCFC on July 10, 2016, 10:42:24 AM
Will the team that's named start though?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on July 10, 2016, 10:43:29 AM
Best of luck to the lads. To be honest i think Clare might win. They are more of a team
than Laois and have been playing consistently well all year. We are disjointed and trying
to implement a new game plan in the space of a few weeks. Having said that there is a lot
of talent in the squad and on their day they can beatmost teams. If Donie plays well
we will prob win, but thats a bif if .. we have a strong bench so hopefully we are still there with 15 to go..

I reckon the team thats named will start  SCFC
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on July 10, 2016, 04:22:13 PM
Bad defeat, held scoreless in the final quarter. Hopefully Cunningham can be given the lead role as there is talent there, just needs to be organised from what I can see.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 10, 2016, 06:13:56 PM
A game we should have won, no doubt. We lost more control with each passing sub. Some of these lads will never be good enough. I hate saying that, but it's true. Some lads ran themselves into the ground and what we had to replace them just weren't up to it. A bad day for the line. Some poor calls made today and of course Marty Duffy made sure they were always in with a shout. Two frees near the end were gifts.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: redsetanta on July 10, 2016, 06:58:15 PM
Cue BallyroanAbu.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Faugheen on July 10, 2016, 07:03:43 PM
That performance today was a joke.End of story. Too many passengers, too many gloryhunters and no plan A or plan B. >:( >:(
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on July 10, 2016, 08:28:41 PM
In the way we overreact to a win, we over analyse a loss.  This goes back to Justin McNulty he had us organised and we played dreadful football however we were competitive and we won more than we lost.  I for one felt the moment for this Laois team was to go for the jugular against Donegal in Carrick on Shannon because believe it or not we had them.  Since then we have spoofers namely Tomas and naivety Mick Lillis .  What do we expect we have to build from the bottom up.  Next Sunday is a big day for this county we need this minor team to win the Leinster Final and we need to build our U14,U16,u18 & 21's.  Anthony Cunningham should not get the Laois job on the basis of what has happened since he arrived.  We need to sit down and start developing our own coaches and that means another Laois Man gets the Laois Job there will be bad ones but we must persist if young Laois Club managers are going to develop and come down the line.  There is nothing wrong with the talent this years U21 team was badly resourced but talent wise we had as good as anybody.  Laois needs to get off it's arse and start working and it's not going to change quickly.  By Laois Man I mean someone working within the Laois club or county Scene prior to county appointment
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: on the hop on July 11, 2016, 09:25:38 AM
easy enough to analyse that, we lost to a team that wanted it more. they weren't much better than us as both teams were awful but we kept them in the game with our constant fouling and stupid mistakes something we did all through the league. i thought we would win, keep them at arms length and scrap through but when the surge came on despite our massed defence they still found space to overlap and kick the winning score.

i didn't think our system was too bad at times yesterday in the first half, we cut out a huge amount of ball but over elaborated by playing 2/3 sweepers in the second half and inviting them onto us. With the ball not sticking in the forwards and a number of players not wanting to know about it or running out of gas the defence was under massive pressure. playing kieran Lillis as a sweeper was disaster as he didn't have the pace to cover the spaces and gave away three frees which they scored from. we needed both wing backs to push up and support the forwards but strong looked out on his feet after he scored his point and was awful before he was black carded and begley and Damian o connor just never got in it. Meaney and Begley who should have been leaders both were taken off. Clare's only forward on the wing also kicked three points from play. full back line especially attride who was everywhere played well. we probably should have kicked long to midfield more and trusted them instead of short kickouts which we turned over when they pressed up. midfield then disappeared in the last ten minutes. forwards were a mess. We simply didn't play enough up in the first half when we had the elements and there was no pace. meredith was the best while the rest were very poor. donie had a shocker and hasn't the pace or bite to be the front man. Evan o carroll was missed here. Subs added nothing but i thought Ross and Gary should have been earlier. We missed a lot of scorable frees but given that we used 6 different kickers understandable. Gary Walsh's deplorable effort at the end summed up the day.

i don't where we are going, the age profile of the team and the poorness of the panel and what is coming through gives you the feeling that there is greater chance of us going down down to division 4 than getting back to division 2. i hope the minors win but they are going to be up against it. in reality its going to be a long time before we are anyway competitive.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on July 11, 2016, 09:37:26 AM
Would agree with High Fielder. The substitutions, particularly the substitution of Meaney, was a real turning point in the game. He had done a huge amount of work in the game (and was probably our best player) but I didn't see any evidence that he was struggling.

I don't want to be too hard but I think the biggest problem was not on the sideline but in lads' heads. There was absolutely no belief in ourselves yesterday. We were playing "a defensive system" (that conceded 14 points) because"that's what you have to do in the modern game" to make sure we weren't hurt by the opposition.  The mentality was all about minimising the hits that we were taking but we forgot that we had to make a few hits ourselves. When it mattered, we didn't have the character that was needed to win the game.

Having said that, hats off to Brody, Attride, Timmons, O Connor, Quigley and Meredith. Cahillane, although he had a really poor game yesterday, is man enough to take responsibility which is more than can be said of some of them. Over the season, they've done themselves and their county proud.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on July 11, 2016, 09:47:44 AM
Giovanni are you serious.  They got relegated and what else.  This is not a personal slur on any player but there was nothing proud about Laois 2016. 
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 11, 2016, 10:06:32 AM
We were in control in the first half yesterday. Possession was dominated by us and they offered very little. Conditions got atrocious and we didn't have the lads to come on and keep hold of the ball. We play a lot of lads out of position because we have to, particularly in the backs, and we often times get made to pay for it. We've lost three very good backs in McMahon Healy and o Leary in recent years and it makes a massive difference. You can't replace lads like that easily in a county this small.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on July 11, 2016, 10:14:34 AM
I don't see that the lads I named could have done much more. Unfortunately, relegation is always likely when you're playing with a half a team.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 11, 2016, 10:20:56 AM
I agree with you Giovanni. Lads just focus on results and the players on the pitch. They forget that we are minus a lot of very good players. I can't be too harsh at the moment because we don't have the quality of player needed at this time. I am very sure if we did, we wouldn't have been relegated and we'd still be in the qualifiers

You can't keep replacing good players with inferior ones and expect results to stay the same or improve. We need our best on the field. We are not Dublin or Kerry. I feel sorry for some panelists because they are playing in positions that are alien to them. And all because they want to play for Laois.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on July 11, 2016, 10:27:29 AM
Yes, you're right. The lads you've named would probably have made the difference.

However, my gripe is with the lads who do have the quality but haven't been giving the performances. I'm not going to single out players for criticism but there are some lads on that team who have as much technical quality as anyone in the country. But for whatever reason (I think it's a mental/confidence thing), they've been performing at a really low level. That's been the big disappointment for me.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: OTF on July 11, 2016, 10:28:51 AM
For the record in 2013  we beat Clare ( more or less the same Clare team) 3-17  to 0-10  and Quigley, Meany and Walsh had left the panel.

I think above shows where we're heading.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 11, 2016, 10:36:50 AM
They have improved a lot since then oft. We have disimproved and you're being very selective with your information by just putting up the result. We are having a bad time. It might not get better for a long time. Go and watch more club games and you'll see how bad it really is. We have a division 1 and it wouldn't be division 3 in some counties. Standards are at a low level. It's testament to the work at underage that we've got a decent minor team.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: OTF on July 11, 2016, 12:02:08 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on July 11, 2016, 10:36:50 AM
They have improved a lot since then oft. We have disimproved and you're being very selective with your information by just putting up the result. We are having a bad time. It might not get better for a long time. Go and watch more club games and you'll see how bad it really is. We have a division 1 and it wouldn't be division 3 in some counties. Standards are at a low level. It's testament to the work at underage that we've got a decent minor team.

In my view we have a better ( on paper ) panel than we had in 2013. Clare don't but as you rightly state  they have improved, not personnel wise but their collective have while ours have gone backwards alarmingly.
This is the part I find galling, due to the belief  expressed by so many in our county that we had the players to shoot it out with all the big teams and that defensive football was somewhat beneath us, I've read post here recently where lads stated they'd rather be watching us play  nice football and be beaten  FFS. this is the mindset  which has  ended up with this shambles.
I'd know as much about Clare football and the club seen there as I do about Laois.... maybe more  and it isnt great either, I watched a recording of  Galway and Roscommon last night and I don't believe either of those team's  have better players than we do.
This is all down to our own stupid mindset, not the players not the CB ..... our own all combined.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Monument Road on July 11, 2016, 12:50:53 PM
Very very disapointed with yesterdays performance. Substitutions were a shambles. None of them made any difference and if anything made it worse. Why change the free takers.Cahalane and Kingston both kicked a couple although Cahalane missed a sitter in the first half but Kingston kicked a mighty one. He was about to take one of the last 3 frees we got and Walsh went over and took the ball from him and missed. On who's instructions did we change over. He and Ross took a couple more and missed. As bad as we were those misses cost us and i think Kingston would have scored them all.
Another incident yesterday which annoyed me was the reaction of Done when the ball was taken from him as he tried to head for goal. His reaction was to hold his face as if he had been assualted and then run after Duffy complaining. Good teams and players dont do that . They fight to the end,our lads dont. The killing part is this mornings draw. Clare now face Sligo and that should have been us. The players themselves are to blame.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 11, 2016, 01:40:44 PM
Quote from: OTF on July 11, 2016, 12:02:08 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on July 11, 2016, 10:36:50 AM
They have improved a lot since then oft. We have disimproved and you're being very selective with your information by just putting up the result. We are having a bad time. It might not get better for a long time. Go and watch more club games and you'll see how bad it really is. We have a division 1 and it wouldn't be division 3 in some counties. Standards are at a low level. It's testament to the work at underage that we've got a decent minor team.

In my view we have a better ( on paper ) panel than we had in 2013. Clare don't but as you rightly state  they have improved, not personnel wise but their collective have while ours have gone backwards alarmingly.
This is the part I find galling, due to the belief  expressed by so many in our county that we had the players to shoot it out with all the big teams and that defensive football was somewhat beneath us, I've read post here recently where lads stated they'd rather be watching us play  nice football and be beaten  FFS. this is the mindset  which has  ended up with this shambles.
I'd know as much about Clare football and the club seen there as I do about Laois.... maybe more  and it isnt great either, I watched a recording of  Galway and Roscommon last night and I don't believe either of those team's  have better players than we do.
This is all down to our own stupid mindset, not the players not the CB ..... our own all combined.

They beat Kildare in a league final recently. They scored heavily against Kerry and they are in a higher league than us now. They are hugely improved and yet I still believe we lost that game yesterday rather than them winning it. Conditions were terrible and they coped better. They got a lot of fruit by attacking Damien o Connor who in fairness is miles out of position but giving his all. We are in demise, granted, but don't paint everything black. There are good footballers in Laois but we have to get players into their proper positions and the best we can get on board. It will always be our problem because our resources are tiny. Meath, even with all their history and bigger playing population are no better than us. If anything, we have improved since we played them in the league. It happens. We have a good core of players but essentially we are playing with two thirds of a team and absolutely no strength in depth. That's not enough to make you competitive and in my opinion, year on year, the panel is weakening because lads are getting older and less hungry. We are going to have to be patient, have a look at what's working and what isn't, and try to come back stronger
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on July 11, 2016, 01:42:57 PM
From my vantage point Donie didn't want to kick them. There was another one in the second half, about 35 yards out and 6 or 7 yards from the far touchline. Donie would normally kick 8 out of 10 of them. Instead, he went backwards with it and eventually the chance was lost. I think these calls on the frees were made by the players themselves (which also tells you something about the setup).

OTF is absolutely right about the "stupid mindset" and the supporters probably have to take some blame there too. But I don't think any supporter (or indeed any manager) would have suggested to Donie to kick a 35 hard free backwards.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: maccer on July 11, 2016, 01:55:53 PM
Few things hard to understand yesterday. Individual mistakes will always happen that's life but...
How many times did we kick frees and lineballs backwards yesterday?
We let most of the 2nd half play out around our half back line by our decisions. Time and time again we either took short kick outside to our cornerbacks or passed possession back to them. Clare just pushed up and put pressure on us turning us over time and time again. Lot to be said for route one on a day like yesterday. Play the game in their half. Tipping did it in the hurling and got 5 goals.
Why can't we tackle individually? The amount of half hearted attempts as Clare ran by us was unreal.
Decision making was very poor. Terrible shot selection when better teams keep patient and wait for better openings.
Where was the fight. After killing themselves all year only one team really wanted to win in the 2nd half
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on July 11, 2016, 02:19:03 PM
There is been positive and then there is being realistic.  We are in Division 3 with much the same team as 4 years ago Clare will get hammered next weekend and we will not bother mentioning it here.  Be honest we are in a desperate state that may not stop till we reach division 4.  Our underage structure is moderate it can be improved upon.  We are dead lucky Dublin are out of the minor championship and make no mistake about that.  A Leinster final would be a fantastic achievement but it would be hard to see our minor team beat the battle hardened northern teams.  That is not to say we can improve.  We need to develop ourselves not sending out teams praising them and hoping it will happen.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Faugheen on July 12, 2016, 01:38:47 PM
Player of the year; Mark Timmons (honourable mention Garoid Hanrahan )

Goal of the year; Conor Meredith V Armagh (1st Game ), (Honourable mention Stephen Attride V Dublin )

Points of the year; Gary Walsh Frees V Armagh.

Win of the year; Refixed game V Armagh.

Moans of the year ; Relegation, 2nd half V Clare, Donie Kingston's Form.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: The Monument Road on July 12, 2016, 03:41:24 PM
Quote from: Faugheen on July 12, 2016, 01:38:47 PM
Player of the year; Mark Timmons (honourable mention Garoid O Halloran )

Goal of the year; Conor Meredith V Armagh (1st Game ), (Honourable mention Stephen Attride V Dublin )

Points of the year; Gary Walsh Frees V Armagh.

Win of the year; Refixed game V Armagh.

Moans of the year ; Relegation, 2nd half V Clare, Donie Kingston's Form.
I'm not trying to knock you Faugheen but thats of little consolation to any of us who support this team.We are a division 3 team but you could add that we did beat a Div 4 and a Div 3 team this year. We have dropped our standards everywhere both in administration and the playing field. I for one am not happy with these types of statistics and carefree attitudes by those involved (players and administrators)
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: steven seagal on July 12, 2016, 06:12:23 PM
One of the major problems facing us now is money. The setup this year was a joke until Cunningham came on board, but it took the senior players coming forward to voice their concerns over the way things were being run to force a turnaround. The County Board were never going to step in because it wasn't costing them much money, which will have suited just fine. We are currently trying to build a Centre of Excellence, and all available funds will be directed towards that. I would like to see Cunningham given a chance to run a good pre-season and get the lads fit, because he's as good an option as we have. I won't be holding my breath on him being appointed though, because I doubt the funds are there to finance a serious intercounty setup.

It has been mentioned earlier about Laois supporters being above our station a bit in looking for McNulty to go. I disagree with this. McNulty was good for Laois in a lot of ways, and he got us fitter and more organised than we had been for some time. He had taken us as far as he could though, and we were never likely to take another step forward under his stewardship. I was happy to see him go knowing that there was a good, committed panel there that were well trained and physically fit, for a better manager to improve. The problem was we appointed Tomás O Flatharta. I don't see anything wrong in wanting to get better, but I do have a problem with a CB that think Tomás O Flatharta should be let anywhere near an ambitious county. That was what killed us, not the actual desire for change. Our county chairman promised a manager to take us to the next level, which he delivered, the problem was it was the next level down, not up. We have been falling ever since and, bearing in mind our lack of minor or under 21 success in the four to five years previous to this, there isn't much coming through. We are in for a rough few years, because I have zero faith in the CB to turn this around.

On another note, having been to almost all of Laois' games so far this year, I missed the game in Ennis on Sunday due to a family occasion. As a result, I may well have missed Ross Munnelly's last ever game in a Laois jersey. I can't imagine he has another season left in him, and if he does go, he will be a massive loss to the county. He has been a pleasure to watch and a credit to himself and the county over the course of his career. I saw him kick about seven or eight points from play in a club championship match last year and there is no one else in the county who could have done it. He's still a class act, and hopefully we get to see him play on with Kilcruise for another good while, but he has a lot of mileage in his legs for intercounty football. He owes us nothing, he's been one of our best ever forwards IMO. Also, if he does finish with Laois, I hope every effort is made to get him involved at underage level, I think he'd have a lot to offer.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: SCFC on July 12, 2016, 06:56:19 PM
Quote from: steven seagal on July 12, 2016, 06:12:23 PMOn another note, having been to almost all of Laois' games so far this year, I missed the game in Ennis on Sunday due to a family occasion. As a result, I may well have missed Ross Munnelly's last ever game in a Laois jersey. I can't imagine he has another season left in him, and if he does go, he will be a massive loss to the county. He has been a pleasure to watch and a credit to himself and the county over the course of his career. I saw him kick about seven or eight points from play in a club championship match last year and there is no one else in the county who could have done it. He's still a class act, and hopefully we get to see him play on with Kilcruise for another good while, but he has a lot of mileage in his legs for intercounty football. He owes us nothing, he's been one of our best ever forwards IMO. Also, if he does finish with Laois, I hope every effort is made to get him involved at underage level, I think he'd have a lot to offer.
Very well said. As Joni Mitchell sang "You don't know what you got till it's gone".
I hope he stays on simply for his presence.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Faugheen on July 12, 2016, 09:09:05 PM
Quote from: The Monument Road on July 12, 2016, 03:41:24 PM
Quote from: Faugheen on July 12, 2016, 01:38:47 PM
Player of the year; Mark Timmons (honourable mention Garoid O Halloran )

Goal of the year; Conor Meredith V Armagh (1st Game ), (Honourable mention Stephen Attride V Dublin )

Points of the year; Gary Walsh Frees V Armagh.

Win of the year; Refixed game V Armagh.

Moans of the year ; Relegation, 2nd half V Clare, Donie Kingston's Form.
I'm not trying to knock you Faugheen but thats of little consolation to any of us who support this team.We are a division 3 team but you could add that we did beat a Div 4 and a Div 3 team this year. We have dropped our standards everywhere both in administration and the playing field. I for one am not happy with these types of statistics and carefree attitudes by those involved (players and administrators)

It wasn't posted as a cosolation, it was posted so as to generate discussion as to the highs and lows of the year. (BTW, I support the team aswell). Thanks for your contribution.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on July 12, 2016, 10:36:47 PM
Ross was a great servant to the county. Will be missed
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on July 14, 2016, 12:20:07 PM
Great post steven segal ..

Money makes a difference now and we have none.
Lillis is a decent bloke but dosent have the tactical nous for this level but
he did get a lot of lads to commit this year and gave it his all.
As lillis said we need new lads coming thru as a lot are getting on now
We should be i  the mix for promotion next year if we get a decent mgmt team together
Although we could struggle badly if things arent done right.
Tactically and fitness wise we need to improve.

As for ross he was the best laois forward i ever saw play .. class act in every way
Hope he gets involved in coaching ..
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: redsetanta on July 14, 2016, 02:44:52 PM
Did Ross announce his intercounty retirement? Maybe I missed that.

Alot of lads jumping the gun on this one.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: maccer on July 14, 2016, 03:06:35 PM
Just thinking the same. He has been a great servant to laois. Seems happy to contribute from the bench nowadays rather than demanding a starting place. He always looked after himself so if he wants he could easily do another year. Maybe have him contribute as a forwards coach under a main overall coach to give him experience for the future
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on July 18, 2016, 04:40:38 PM
Quote from: maccer on July 14, 2016, 03:06:35 PM
Just thinking the same. He has been a great servant to laois. Seems happy to contribute from the bench nowadays rather than demanding a starting place. He always looked after himself so if he wants he could easily do another year. Maybe have him contribute as a forwards coach under a main overall coach to give him experience for the future

This met him in the premium section in croker yesterday a gentleman ...

God some amount of Laois in the premium section where does such a small county get some many of these tickets?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 18, 2016, 06:52:42 PM
It's hard not to think about what might have been this year, when we see Clare's progress in the qualifiers.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on July 19, 2016, 12:34:17 AM
Just thinking the same Tony, if we had a free taker or if Donie stood up and was prepared to take on a bit of responsibility we would be there today. A few highs in this year run but the biggest disappointment for me was the collapse of Donie when he was needed most. I really thought he would come good this year.

Another thing against us was the loss of Evan O'Carroll who is also a very good free taker. He is not the first lad to go in the middle of a qualifier campaign and won't be the last but surely the Co. Board could do something to keep these lads at home until the qualifiers are over. Pride in your county comes a poor second to a lot of lads when a few bob is waved in their faces ...
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Andy06 on July 19, 2016, 09:49:13 AM
Hey Chaps,

I was thinking lately about our performances in the championship the last few years, specifically the losses. In the last 5 years we have suffered the following defeats:
2011 - Lost to Tipp
2012 - Lost to Longford (after being 6 points ahead at half time)
2013 - Lost to Louth at home
2014 - Lost to Tipp at home
2015 - Lost to Antrim at home (after being something like 8 points up at half time)
2016 - Lost to Clare (after being up by 4 points with 15 mins left)


Generally we take these losses in isolation as they are on a year by year basis and we would come out with the usual investigation as to why we lost (players not committed, management etc), but I feel when you group them together it raises a much bigger question.

I am nearly certain that all of the above would have been at a lower grade than us in the league at the time (might have been wrong on Louth in 2013), plus I would say every game there was seen as a shock loss by the media.
Most other counties of our level in the leagues would suffer maybe 1 or 2 max losses to lower division opposition in the same timeframe whereas for us its seems to be a yearly thing.

So what would be the cause of this?

Just want to get peoples thoughts on the above, as it was something I have been thinking a lot about lately and it really makes grim reading.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 19, 2016, 09:52:56 AM
That's a bit unfair junior. He got an opportunity and took it. He's a young lad so why not? It's not like he's paid to play for Laois. It just highlights how pointless playing for a county like Laois has become, and that's a problem for the GAA to fix. If they want lads to commit, and it seems that they do because they boast about the commitment of amateur players, then they have to find ways of keeping them sweet.

We had enough on the pitch to beat Clare and the substitutions killed us. Lads who could hold on to the ball were replaced by lads who couldn't get their hand on it and invited pressure onto our backs. We had improved a fair bit in the championship and we would have beaten Sligo. It would have been interesting to see us against Roscommon but such is life. We deserved to be relegated because we had a shocking league, but there was definitely another game or two in us in the championship.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on July 19, 2016, 12:19:49 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on July 19, 2016, 09:52:56 AM
That's a bit unfair junior. He got an opportunity and took it. He's a young lad so why not? It's not like he's paid to play for Laois. It just highlights how pointless playing for a county like Laois has become, and that's a problem for the GAA to fix. If they want lads to commit, and it seems that they do because they boast about the commitment of amateur players, then they have to find ways of keeping them sweet.

We had enough on the pitch to beat Clare and the substitutions killed us. Lads who could hold on to the ball were replaced by lads who couldn't get their hand on it and invited pressure onto our backs. We had improved a fair bit in the championship and we would have beaten Sligo. It would have been interesting to see us against Roscommon but such is life. We deserved to be relegated because we had a shocking league, but there was definitely another game or two in us in the championship.

Spot on ....Just a massive Pity would have loved to be going to O'connor park next week to play the Rossies for a chance to get into the quarter final.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 19, 2016, 12:54:58 PM
Totally agree with High Fielder here. There are a lot of "what ifs" about this season but such is sport, frustrating as it can be. We would have beaten Sligo and then had a very good opportunity against Roscommon. Quarter final is always massive success for a division 2/3 county like ourselves. I personally would like to see Lillis out for 2017 because I simply don't think he's nearly good enough for the job, and the bit of organisation from Cunningham saved the season somewhat.

If Cunningham goes it'll expose Lillis MAJORLY next year, surely most people can see that a mile off. Lillis is like the nice man down the corner of the pub who knows a few things about the GAA, but you'd never let him anywhere near an inter-county side. Realistically though, who can we get? I honestly believe there's another good season or two in this crop of players if they're given a chance with a proper set-up. It does not have to cost huge sums of money : it just requires a very good football brain and an ability to organise and man-manage with our players behind him. Enough with the chancers now at this point.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on July 23, 2016, 04:43:23 PM
Quote from: Tony on July 18, 2016, 06:52:42 PM
It's hard not to think about what might have been this year, when we see Clare's progress in the qualifiers.

Even worse now Tony after Clare beat Roscommon, if nothing else it shows Laois definitely have players good enough to at least get to an All Ireland quarter final if they are properly prepared.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Gmac on July 23, 2016, 05:13:12 PM
Quote from: Joeythelips on July 23, 2016, 04:43:23 PM
Quote from: Tony on July 18, 2016, 06:52:42 PM
It's hard not to think about what might have been this year, when we see Clare's progress in the qualifiers.

Even worse now Tony after Clare beat Roscommon, if nothing else it shows Laois definitely have players good enough to at least get to an All Ireland quarter final if they are properly prepared.
it shows when the opportunity presents itself you have to be ruthless and take it .
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Thewildcat on July 23, 2016, 06:45:04 PM
great to see clare there, laois also would have got there if they hung on again clare, but its now the big guns like kerry,dublin,mayo,tryone, come into it, and we will see the gap between the clare's and tipp after their win over derry today.  great work been done in tipp and clare in football where its their second game to hurling.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on July 24, 2016, 12:28:30 AM
We are not too far off the mark if we were fitter and everyone gave a commitment that they would stay for the duration of the qualifiers as we need everyone on board if we are to make progress.
It's very unfair on the rest of the panel when lads walk away when the job is only half done. I don't understand why some people think this is acceptable and this is exactly the problem in Laois. We thank everyone for their hard work which is only right yet we just accept when they don't stay the full distance.

This has been happening down through the years and is one of the reasons we are going nowhere. One good free taker and we would be where Clare are today, that's what sickens me....  :-[
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unison on July 24, 2016, 10:11:20 AM
Isn't it always the same with us. Even if we had beaten Clare, who is to say we would have gotten over Sligo and then Roscommon.

Is Lillis staying on? If he is, we will be in Div. 4 next year, and have another disastrous championship.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 24, 2016, 10:23:14 AM
Can you not see it from their point of view Junior? Even if we get to a quarter final, what does it mean? We can't win an All Ireland, so you're essentially competing in a race you can't win. Where's the incentive? Do you really think that anyone is motivated in this day and age to be the eighth best in their class at anything? Come on now. Be realistic. There has to be more in it for these lads, these counties, if they are to be enticed into taking it seriously. I agree with you in principle that we need everyone on board, particularly the better lads, but I have gone way beyond the point of questioning their motives if they don't commit. This trend will continue, particularly in weaker counties, to the point where a county won't be able to field a team for an important game. Maybe then the GAA will stop daydreaming
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 24, 2016, 12:34:49 PM
I agree with you Huey about how players can do what they like, it's an amateur game. It'd just be ideal if they could make a decision at the start of year but sometimes that's not possible as, like many of us, they don't know what they'll be doing 6 months from now or if they'll have a job in Ireland or whatever.

However what I disagree about is that a 1/4 final of all-ireland is pointless to them.

That's like saying Ireland shouldn't have gone to the Euros because there was no chance of winning, coming 8th is pointless? Makes no sense. Is it pointless for Wales to get to the semis? Pointless for Clare to get the the 1/4 finals??1? That makes no sense.

It would have been amazing for Laois players and fans to get there, and it was entirely achievable. We can't win the whole thing, but anywhere from quarter finals onwards is an amazing achievement for any "smaller" county and one that merits celebration.

Anyway, we're out and many counties must have "what ifs" questions, the best thing to do now is to focus on how we can improve for 2017.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on July 24, 2016, 12:57:05 PM
Jaysus high fielder thats very defeatist.. why would 90% of teams ever bother competing then?
Whose to say tipp cant beat galway to get to the AI semi final and then maybe just maybe beat mayo/tyrone
For a shot at the big one ..

Leicester 5000/1 .. maybe im a romantic ..
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 24, 2016, 03:04:00 PM
Anything is possible if you want it bad enough I guess. Unfortunately, we start every year much weaker than you'd like to be. Lads gloss over the fact that you are missing Healy, McMahon Scully, O'Leary, Boyle and many many others but these are guaranteed starters or at worst strong panelists. It can't be done and the net result was the collapse in Clare where weak players messed it up for us. That's the reality for us, particularly with our backs where we have zero strength in depth.

As for the whole quarter finalists thing, maybe I was disrespectful. Of course I'd like to see us going to Croke Park for a quarter final, but I'd much rather start the year with ambitions of winning a league or being competitive in Leinster.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 24, 2016, 04:19:29 PM
Still going on about McMahon and O'Leary I see. Sure Tyrone would do better with Peter Canavan and Kerry will easily beat Dublin if only Maurice Fitzgerald was still prepared to put in the effort, he's just being lazy. Retirement is nonsense I say.

As for Scully, he has to be "the best player to never play for his county team". His status is only rising, the more he doesn't play.

Pity about Healy alright but it's simply not feasible for him to commit to both codes from London.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: SCFC on July 24, 2016, 04:32:21 PM
Marty Scully or John Scully?  ;D
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on July 24, 2016, 04:55:26 PM
Quote from: High Fielder on July 24, 2016, 03:04:00 PM
Anything is possible if you want it bad enough I guess. Unfortunately, we start every year much weaker than you'd like to be. Lads gloss over the fact that you are missing Healy, McMahon Scully, O'Leary, Boyle and many many others but these are guaranteed starters or at worst strong panelists. It can't be done and the net result was the collapse in Clare where weak players messed it up for us. That's the reality for us, particularly with our backs where we have zero strength in depth.

As for the whole quarter finalists thing, maybe I was disrespectful. Of course I'd like to see us going to Croke Park for a quarter final, but I'd much rather start the year with ambitions of winning a league or being competitive in Leinster.

That's exactly my point, we had to play a few who were a bit weaker due to the fact that the panel we started the year with was weakened by defections. But in fairness it wasn't the weaker players that messed it up, some of our more senior lads had 3 great chances from frees near the end to draw or even win it and they totally messed it up. Our main freetaker all year was missing and in the end it boiled down to that fact.
And I agree that we start every year much weaker than you'd like to be but you hope that you will get stronger as the year progresses, not weaker by lads bailing out halfway through the season. They stay to play against teams we have no hope of beating yet go when we get to face teams where we have a realistic chance of victory. My point is why start at all if you don't want to finish......
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 24, 2016, 05:34:54 PM
Quote from: Tony on July 24, 2016, 04:19:29 PM
Still going on about McMahon and O'Leary I see. Sure Tyrone would do better with Peter Canavan and Kerry will easily beat Dublin if only Maurice Fitzgerald was still prepared to put in the effort, he's just being lazy. Retirement is nonsense I say.

As for Scully, he has to be "the best player to never play for his county team". His status is only rising, the more he doesn't play.

Pity about Healy alright but it's simply not feasible for him to commit to both codes from London.

Sometimes you make a right ass of yourself. You jabber on about nothing in particular and expect poor players to do things they cannot do. You have probably never seen Scully play, because if you had, you'd know he's a good player. Would all of those players I mentioned not enhance the panel? Don't even answer. I know they would you grade A  clown. Retired or otherwise, committed or not, those lads are still better than what's in there. You are therefore setting yourself up with an inferior set of players. Did you not realise that when you walked out of Ennis with your thumb up your hole wondering what went on?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 24, 2016, 05:55:24 PM
You're the one going on about retired players. Ring Tom Kelly up and ask him to come back you absolute donkey. I know some of the Ballyroan lads and they know he's lost a few yards of pace in the last couple of years. Padraig knows this also and has a lot oh his plate personally, he doesn't need you telling him he should commit - he's been a great servant to Laois and has retired now, fair play to him.

Scully is decent but where is he?! He's never tried to get on the panel - maybe he has too much going on in his personal life to commit. You're a walking contradiction - one minute let Evan O Carroll off to the U.S.A. "because "why wouldn't he?" the next you're saying Scully should be there if he'd only commit.

Then you say there's no point Laois getting to the quarter finals and ten minutes later you change your mind and say you shouldn't have said that and you believe there is a point us getting there.

You don't even know what you're saying, constantly changing your mind and loaded with contradictions. Not sure how you expect any of the rest of us to respect your posts.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on July 24, 2016, 06:05:24 PM
Some good points being made on both sides lads but surely they can be made without resorting to insults. This is not Hogan Stand....
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 24, 2016, 06:29:31 PM
Point taken Junior.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 24, 2016, 08:35:22 PM
I respect any lad's decision not to commit, retire or go to the USA. I don't believe anyone SHOULD be in there but nor do believe it is fair to judge a panel that is well short of some very good players. Even lacking a yard of pace, McMahon would be better coming from the bench than some of the lads that did in Ennis, and in all likelihood we wouldn't have lost ball as easily as we did if we had more experienced lads. This is why we lost matches this year. Derry, Meath and Clare were all games that could have been won with the lads I mentioned coming in or starting, in my opinion. I think we are carrying lads at the moment who are well short at this level, and out of respect to their commitment, I won't name them.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Uisce on July 25, 2016, 11:31:04 AM
Anyone else hear Lillis stepped down?.. If so, disappointed it didn't work out, but things just didn't go well.. Still think the Laois job is one that would be somewhat attractive, on a player potential basis.. Perhaps it is the financial support which makes it less appealing!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: welcomehome on July 25, 2016, 01:59:00 PM
heard he has ok...hopefully the county board will appoint someone strong ...wont hold my breath...
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unison on July 25, 2016, 02:05:23 PM
It was a very poorly thought appointment in the first place.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: welcomehome on July 25, 2016, 02:14:13 PM
mick lilis is a very person..just wasnt strong enought for manager....
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on July 25, 2016, 04:07:00 PM
https://www.facebook.com/CLGLaois/posts/1016714321782300 (https://www.facebook.com/CLGLaois/posts/1016714321782300)

In fairness he gave it his best shot, and he also realised his limitations and did the correct thing. Hopefully we can get Cunningham on board as manager now for next year as he clearly had a positive effect on the team in the brief period he has been there.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: portlaoisekid on July 25, 2016, 06:52:22 PM
Very strange TBH... there is obviously something going on we don't know for Mick to leave a job he coveted for years after 1 year. The main theory is that cunningham has the job and Mick went gracefully rather than waiting to be sacked.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 25, 2016, 07:15:42 PM
I don't think it's strange at all. Mick is a very decent man, and you'd hardly find a nicer, sounder man around. However, his limitations in terms of modern inter-county management were clear. We knew it, he knew it. Much respect to him.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: High Fielder on July 25, 2016, 11:46:15 PM
Quote from: portlaoisekid on July 25, 2016, 06:52:22 PM
Very strange TBH... there is obviously something going on we don't know for Mick to leave a job he coveted for years after 1 year. The main theory is that cunningham has the job and Mick went gracefully rather than waiting to be sacked.

It's something I thought about when Cunningham came in. He was clearly undermined from that point on and there was no way back. Mick didn't go looking for Cunningham as far as I know, so how or why he stayed around for as long as he did is a mystery. He loves Laois, but like Sean Dempsey, it wasn't enough. The team looked way off the pace under him, and I'm of the opinion that if Cunningham had been around earlier, we wouldn't have been relegated and might still be in the championship. It would be strange to say the least if Cunningham didn't get it, but sure this is Laois. You can expect anything
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: steven seagal on July 26, 2016, 12:17:03 AM
I don't think Cunningham wants it, was told over the weekend he's odds on to be the next Limerick hurling manager, so I think we can rule him out, barring Limerick go with someone else and he's back on the market.

Lillis went because the players wanted him gone. Mick had the best of intentions when he took the job, no doubt, and as someone pointed out it was a job he coveted for a long time, but he wasn't remotely prepared for the level of preparation and planning the role requires. It was farcical some of the stories coming out of the camp, and the players weren't going to put up with it for another year. It was the players who demanded the setup change midway through the season, which saw Cunningham come in, so Lillis surely knew his days were numbered from then.

With Cunningham unlikely to take it on, it's hard to see who we could come up with. Joe Higgins and John Sugrue are probably the strongest of the Laois based candidates. I'd be in favour of Pat Ryan being involved in some capacity, if his boxing commitments aren't too prohibitive. After those, you're looking at going outside the county, and the last time our County Board did that we ended up with O'Flatharta, so I'd be nervous for what the future holds!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Saint75 on July 26, 2016, 12:28:40 AM
Sad to see Mick go down so quickly but he lost the dressing room very early on. I think he underestimated the leap to inter county management. I'm not ruling Cunningham in or out for the job but I've seen no evidence in his short term in charge that he offers anything other than put more players behind the ball and hope for the best. Hurling is a different game and club football is miles behind tactically and that's his background. I think grooming a future manager along with the next appointment could be the way to go. Follow that with injecting some life into the underage setup and the club championship and we may start turning things around.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on July 26, 2016, 12:34:15 AM
It's a good sign if the players wanted it as it shows they are really committed to doing well for Laois and not prepared to accept whatever the Co. Board throws at them. I really would love to see Mick Dempsey involved at some level on the next management team as he has been there and done it with Kilkenny and is a brilliant physical trainer as can be seen by the fitness levels he achieved with the cats.
Can't say I'm sorry to see the end of Lillis but he did bring on a few new lads and that's an achievement in itself. It is a good time for a new man to come in as winning Div.3 of the league is very possible and would be a great starting point for any new manager. We really have to get it right this time and let's hope the players will have some input into who gets it as it's important that everyone is behind this next appointment.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 26, 2016, 10:53:30 AM
Anyone hearing Lillis speak about football knew he had to go, and while the players liked him, they didn't have confidence in his ability to manage. I was astonished at how off the pace he was and how poor his attitude was. We should have been aiming for promotion in Div 2 this season - but the way he was going on, it was as if he knew we would go down and was resigned to it. That's not at all the attitude you want in a manager.

My pick is definitely Cunningham but why would he in all fairness if he has an offer from a very good hurling side like Limerick (unless he does see the good potential in Laois to do a lot better). After that, it's hard to see a quality outside manager coming in (is Jason Ryan worth a try - very poor at Kildare but impressive at Wexford). I'm not holding my breath for a top manager to be honest. Apart from McNulty and Kearns, we've had below average and uninspiring appointments the last 10 years. Lillis probably being the worst followed by TOF and Dempsey. Not a personal attack on Lillis, terrible nice guy, just not good enough to be managing a side with decent potential like Laois. The county board spent an age getting TOF to "bring us to the next level." About time they had a bit of cop on. 
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unison on July 26, 2016, 11:32:10 AM
No disrespect to Mick Lillis, and its not hindsight, but most GAA followers in Laois were aware that he would not be up to it, but yet the CB went ahead and appointed him. The CB lack any credibility at this stage, especially after Kavanaghs statement about bringing Laois to 'the next level', after McNulty left. God knows who they will appoint now. I doubt it will be Cunningham, as I suspect his first love is hurling.

Perhaps one of (or a combo of) Joe Higgins, Mick Dempsey, Pat Ryan. But as someone else said already, it might be worthwhile talking to Jason Ryan.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Don Draper on July 26, 2016, 11:48:33 AM
No harm if the players turned the light inwards now after this. No question Lillis had to go, but they need to take a long hard look at themselves. The lack of guts when it came to the crunch v Antrim & Clare in 2015 & 2016 was galling. It's not always the managers fault. We have and historically have always had, attitude problems. Micko quelled them for a period, but its inherent in us. I don't see a Micko out there at present.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: portlaoisekid on July 26, 2016, 01:45:23 PM
It's a year wasted imo.. we are back to square one and it's the same names being linked again with the job . It's all about money , if we had the money we would have had a top mgt team in place this year and by all accounts nothing has changed financially. Now I'm not saying we blow more money on another outside mercenary but moreso pay for a top class set up.

As for the local candidates I wouldn't see anything near the quality of  what we need.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: welcomehome on July 26, 2016, 02:47:16 PM
i think de lads dat are named  are not strong enought to bring laois to the level...i would be in favour in bringing someone in from outside de county..who i dont no or whats available...i think de talent is dere....
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: redsetanta on July 26, 2016, 03:24:58 PM
'welcomehome', welcome to the forum however can you cease from using the 'text speak'. Just take a bit more time when you're posting to spell the word correctly, use a few capitals and the odd comma and full stop. Doesn't have to be perfect just near enough.

Other than that all is good. 
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Keyser Söze on July 26, 2016, 03:29:08 PM
Quote from: redsetanta on July 26, 2016, 03:24:58 PM
'welcomehome', welcome to the forum however can you cease from using the 'text speak'. Just take a bit more time when you're posting to spell the word correctly, use a few capitals and the odd comma and full stop. Doesn't have to be perfect just near enough.

Other than that all is good.

Who put you in charge?!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unlaoised on July 26, 2016, 03:42:57 PM
I think John Sugrue wouldn't be a bad start I know for a fact the players loved his imput when TOF was there....

Him Pat Ryan and Joe Higgins would be a decent trio....

It would allow them to watch the Senior Championship this month and get things in place for next year...

I'm sure they could watch a few intermediate games aswell being local and involved.

If Cunningham would stay and bring in shane Curran(who I believe also made a big impact on the players)it would be a good option!

We still have good talent there for a few years yet and it should not be wasted!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: welcomehome on July 26, 2016, 04:01:26 PM
redsetanta who are to comment on anyone spelling or what they say.its none of your business.this is for people to comment on laois football not for checking the way people type...
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Dave like the tv channel on July 26, 2016, 04:18:55 PM
Quote from: welcomehome on July 26, 2016, 04:01:26 PM
redsetanta who are to comment on anyone spelling or what they say.its none of your business.this is for people to comment on laois football not for checking the way people type...

It's annoying and makes you look thick. Any can slip up with spelling etc, but setting out to do it is so irritating.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unison on July 26, 2016, 04:32:14 PM
Colm Parkinson is nothing if not honest. He was also right about Mick Lillis. I like his article........I also like his recommendation at the end of his article......

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/gaa/laois-have-the-talent-to-emulate-donegal-now-all-they-need-is-the-leadership/88658

Like the rest of us, he is a frustrated Laois man.

Over to you County Board.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: redsetanta on July 26, 2016, 04:39:54 PM
Quote from: Keyser Söze on July 26, 2016, 03:29:08 PM
Quote from: redsetanta on July 26, 2016, 03:24:58 PM
'welcomehome', welcome to the forum however can you cease from using the 'text speak'. Just take a bit more time when you're posting to spell the word correctly, use a few capitals and the odd comma and full stop. Doesn't have to be perfect just near enough.

Other than that all is good.

Who put you in charge?!

I ain't the chief, just commenting on a football forum like everyone else and my eyes ache trying to read posts like that!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: OTF on July 26, 2016, 05:09:31 PM
Quote from: redsetanta on July 26, 2016, 04:39:54 PM
Quote from: Keyser Söze on July 26, 2016, 03:29:08 PM
Quote from: redsetanta on July 26, 2016, 03:24:58 PM
'welcomehome', welcome to the forum however can you cease from using the 'text speak'. Just take a bit more time when you're posting to spell the word correctly, use a few capitals and the odd comma and full stop. Doesn't have to be perfect just near enough.

Other than that all is good.

Who put you in charge?!


I ain't the chief, just commenting on a football forum like everyone else and my eyes ache trying to read posts like that!

Nerd Police :) :-\
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on July 26, 2016, 09:52:36 PM
Parkinson is self-serving.  He will switch his view at will.  He has reinvented himself as a journalist and fair play to him.  But anything to do with Laois Football leave it so, he has a completely biased opinion which only serves him.  That is not to say he has good points but in regards to Laois your never sure where they are coming from.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: steven seagal on July 27, 2016, 10:07:26 AM
QuoteParkinson is self-serving.  He will switch his view at will.  He has reinvented himself as a journalist and fair play to him.  But anything to do with Laois Football leave it so, he has a completely biased opinion which only serves him.  That is not to say he has good points but in regards to Laois your never sure where they are coming from.

Nearly every article I've read from him seems to be mostly about himself and his time with Laois, he relates everything back to it. That's going to wear very thin very soon, I hope he branches out a bit because he can be very good.

Today's Indo reporting the players want Sugrue.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on July 27, 2016, 12:08:26 PM
A bit harsh on Parkinson, he is only comparing now to when he played and he seems to have Laois best interest at heart. What he said is correct too, we have quality players in the county just like we had before Micko came, but we are failing them. I am not saying we will do a Donegal and win an All Ireland but with the right set-up in place we can certainly have Division 3 & All Ireland quarter finals as realistic goals. The next appointment is crucial, they should consult the players so no stone will be left unturned.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on July 27, 2016, 12:39:34 PM
While woolie is self serving he does speak a lot of sense.
We have a lot of talent and with the right mgmt team we should go back up to Division 2.
I'm not sure how long we could stay there though
There is a lot of lads are 30+ now and there dosent seem to be much coming thru ..
Its a killer losing lads for the qualifiers. Without doubt i think we would be in the QF is O'Carroll had stayed
Awful frustrating ..

Comparing us to Donegal is ridiculous IMO, they definitely had more talent at their disposal.
Pulling from a much bigger pool. with 3 big strong top class forwards who could win games when the heat came on ..

There must be a decent modern innovative manager out there who finds Laois an attractive option .
I've no idea who it is to be fair ..

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on July 27, 2016, 02:11:09 PM
Quote from: ILikeStrawberryJam on July 27, 2016, 12:39:34 PM
While woolie is self serving he does speak a lot of sense.
We have a lot of talent and with the right mgmt team we should go back up to Division 2.
I'm not sure how long we could stay there though
There is a lot of lads are 30+ now and there dosent seem to be much coming thru ..
Its a killer losing lads for the qualifiers. Without doubt i think we would be in the QF is O'Carroll had stayed
Awful frustrating ..

Comparing us to Donegal is ridiculous IMO, they definitely had more talent at their disposal.
Pulling from a much bigger pool. with 3 big strong top class forwards who could win games when the heat came on ..

There must be a decent modern innovative manager out there who finds Laois an attractive option .
I've no idea who it is to be fair ..

I dont get it, why is comparing us to Donegal ridiculous, did anyone see them the year before, in 2009 they got to an AI quarter final where Cork hammered them by 14 points in 2010 they were turfed out of the qualifiers by an average Armagh team - take a look at the Donegal team that day.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2010/0621/267006-armagh_donegal/ (http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2010/0621/267006-armagh_donegal/)

The following year when McGuinness took over they beat us to win Div 2 and lost by 2 points to eventual champions Dublin, the following year they won the All Ireland, take a look at the team that day.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0923/338732-donegal-beat-mayo-to-end-wait-for-sam/ (http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2012/0923/338732-donegal-beat-mayo-to-end-wait-for-sam/)

Now look at the Laois players on the panel. Some might see average players but i see a lot of potential, a hell of a lot in fact if they have a really good set up in place. The story of Laois football history is not getting the most out of the players we have, we actually produce a high standard of footballers as any county. This next appointment is huge.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on July 27, 2016, 03:14:01 PM
Donegal were in an All - Ireland U21 Final in 2010 I would think Big Jim had better talent available
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: redsetanta on July 27, 2016, 05:33:32 PM
Parkison, speaking from his own personal experience, said all along that Lillis was the wrong man for the job. Fair enough he's working in media now which is self serving but he's never hid behind anything and has always called it as he's seen it.
He has been barking on about the age of the core of the team for a good while now and that it will go to waste if we don't make the right appointment.
It's nothing new from him if anyone has been listening to what he's been saying the past while.

The likes of Quigley, Begley, Healy etc will be gone soon and a poor appointment might mean they depart sooner rather than later.

Sugrue has a decent track record so why not go with what the players want if that is the case.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 27, 2016, 05:38:43 PM
2 quick points :

1: What Parkinson says makes a lot of sense and I'd second what he's saying.

2: To the person typing in text speak and then typing normally as if cured, go with typing normally, please. We don't care if your spelling and punctuation is off bt cn u c hw ann9ing dis iz m8? We can't make you type properly but we sure would appreciate it.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: blueandwhite1 on July 27, 2016, 06:01:52 PM
Quote from: Tony on July 27, 2016, 05:38:43 PM
2 quick points :

1: What Parkinson says makes a lot of sense and I'd second what he's saying.

2: To the person typing in text speak and then typing normally as if cured, go with typing normally, please. We don't care if your spelling and punctuation is off bt cn u c hw ann9ing dis iz m8? We can't make you type properly but we sure would appreciate it.

gr8 pst tny. We are all just too old for txt speak!

Not just Wooly who has been calling the management thing in Laois a shambles. Who has been happy since O'Flaharta was involved? Perhaps a panel of ex players and maybe even an outside consultant might do a good job. We will find the money for the right guy. If it is a case of 'who will do the job for 20 grand', then it is a self defeating thing. Poor quality appointment = poor results = no attendance at games = no money. Serious leadership required to sort out club football and senior team infrastructure and management. No evidence that it is there.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Hospital Pass on July 27, 2016, 11:30:41 PM
If the article on the players wanting Sugrue is correct, then why wait. Wouldn't it be great to have him in place so he can judge players on the senior championship.
I'd like the players to have more of a role in appointing the next manager. If they select him then they cant have any complaints down the line.
It sort of forces them in games to fight for the manager if nothing else. With the last few managers i didn't see any particular bond between them and the panel.
Jim mcguinness had that with donegal from the previous under 21 winning teams.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on July 27, 2016, 11:56:43 PM
Here is that article in the Indo, I think he would be a great man to be coming in. I heard last year that they wanted him but for some reason he didn't get it..

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/laois-want-exkerry-u21-boss-sugrue-to-take-reins-34915726.html (http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/laois-want-exkerry-u21-boss-sugrue-to-take-reins-34915726.html)
(http://cdn-02.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/sport/gaa/article34915268.ece/db144/AUTOCROP/h342/p48sugrue.JPG)
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 28, 2016, 01:16:11 PM
I'd be very happy if Sugrue was appointed. The players are the most important in terms of appointments AND they are the best positioned. They know who's a chancer and who's the real deal. Lillis is a chancer (a nice chancer) but he was found out. McNulty was well liked, believe it or not, after speaking with a number of players. TOF was not as well liked and the likes of Paul Cahilane did not show up purely because of him. Why not get someone with brains and who is well liked (Sugrue). I sure can't think of any other better REALISTIC target. The sooner the better also with the SFC underway. John Sugrue with Joe Higgins and P. Ryan would be a dream setup.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: portlaoisekid on July 28, 2016, 01:36:42 PM
LIllis is not a chancer. Cheap shot . 

Typical laois the way our players are getting away Scot free again when we fail. There is alot more to this year's failure than the manager.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 28, 2016, 01:55:11 PM
So do you think he's a fantastic manager, Portlaoise Kid? The difference a manager makes is massive and this group of players deserve better. Lillis is a fantastic man, personally, but he's way below par as a manager. We all know that. Lillis is a chancer in the sense that he wanted the Laois job, fair enough, but surely if he gave it any thought he'd know he was not up to it but he took it anyway. Let's not kid ourselves. We had the worst defensive record in the ENTIRE league. You don't get that with a good manager. In came Anthony and saved his blushes somewhat. It might be hard to take as a portlaoise man but he's not up to standard and he took that job likely knowing that. Why else would he have left so quick. I respect mick but he's set us back a year an we need to stop messing about, cop on and get a decent manager. We were onto something with McNulty ; lets hope Sugrue or Cunningham or someone COMPETANT can give this group of players a chance. I don't care what the perception is : they're great lads, they're hungry for success and they know they're under achieving. Give them someone competant like John or Anthony and we will reap the benefits.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on July 28, 2016, 02:02:37 PM
In fairness Mick Lillis has won more than either Sugrue or McNulty at club level.  It did not work out for him at county standard but I would not say he is a poor manager.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Don Draper on July 28, 2016, 02:57:05 PM
Quote from: BallyroanAbu on July 28, 2016, 02:02:37 PM
In fairness Mick Lillis has won more than either Sugrue or McNulty at club level.
I'm going to say Kerry county title won with an area side trumps most others.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: redsetanta on July 28, 2016, 03:28:13 PM
In fairness to Lillis he has a very decent record as a club manager in Laois, Carlow and kildare. Is it true that Kavanagh was alongside him for these and why was it that Kavanagh didn't get involved with the Laois gig?
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Don Draper on July 28, 2016, 03:32:48 PM
Comparing Lillis and Sugrue is pointless, it achieves nothing.

But I know whose cv impresses me the greater.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: ILikeStrawberryJam on July 28, 2016, 08:36:58 PM
If the players have said to the county board officials we want Sugrue then
its a no brainer to go all out and try and get him. It may or may not work
but the he must have their respect and has a decent CV so he's definitely
worth a shot.

A bad appointment could see several players retire ..
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on July 28, 2016, 10:07:20 PM
I am not against John Sugrue, however this has gone from Cunningham to Sugrue at the flick of a switch.  I think we have to think about what we are looking for, what we can achieve, how long we are prepared to give to achieve goals.  Also have we the money available to provide the backroom staff said managers want.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Uisce on July 28, 2016, 10:42:21 PM
It would be nice to get somebody in place so they could see some of the local championship games but I don't think it's the end of the world if they miss the majority. We are a relatively small footballing county, the pool of players will the mostly the same as what was there this year, I don't really think there are any hidden gems out there!
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: portlaoisekid on July 29, 2016, 10:41:49 AM
Quote from: Tony on July 28, 2016, 01:55:11 PM
So do you think he's a fantastic manager, Portlaoise Kid? The difference a manager makes is massive and this group of players deserve better. Lillis is a fantastic man, personally, but he's way below par as a manager. We all know that. Lillis is a chancer in the sense that he wanted the Laois job, fair enough, but surely if he gave it any thought he'd know he was not up to it but he took it anyway. Let's not kid ourselves. We had the worst defensive record in the ENTIRE league. You don't get that with a good manager. In came Anthony and saved his blushes somewhat. It might be hard to take as a portlaoise man but he's not up to standard and he took that job likely knowing that. Why else would he have left so quick. I respect mick but he's set us back a year an we need to stop messing about, cop on and get a decent manager. We were onto something with McNulty ; lets hope Sugrue or Cunningham or someone COMPETANT can give this group of players a chance. I don't care what the perception is : they're great lads, they're hungry for success and they know they're under achieving. Give them someone competant like John or Anthony and we will reap the benefits.
TBH I don't think he is a great manager.I just disagreed with the term chancer, he gave everything to make Laois do well but it wasn't good enough. . He is decent manager no more than that, for example with my own club I thought his reign was very poor.

With regards to the future, what happens if laois can't get Sugrue ..?... I don't see many alternatives and certainly see none within the county so that means we go spending cash on an outsider and finding the right mercenary is tough...
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 29, 2016, 01:13:44 PM
Ah I explained the context of using that term above. So was Tomas "I am extremely surprised I got this job" O' Flaherta. There's no way we should be getting men like that if we've any ambition at senior level.

As Wooly says, this is a great time to get the Laois job. Why? We have a good chance of winning Division 3 if prep is correct AND there's a good chance of us getting to Leinster Final if we avoid Dublin on our side of the draw. A good league and 2nd best team in leinster should be a target for us, and beyond : quarter final of A/I. We still have a good side, provided we don't ruin that by appointing another below average manager. If we get a manager like Pat Roe or someone who is not up to scratch at this level, we seriously might as well just forget about it. And no I really don't mean any offence by that - personally, Pat Roe is a lovely man but the CB have got to get serious about this appointment.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: portlaoisekid on July 29, 2016, 01:39:27 PM
I agree.. but do you trust our cb to get the right man ? I don't .
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Tony on July 29, 2016, 03:27:22 PM
Quote from: portlaoisekid on July 29, 2016, 01:39:27 PM
I agree.. but do you trust our cb to get the right man ? I don't .
No way do I trust them to get the right man, but I hope they've woken up a bit with 2 very poor appointments in a row. I fear we'll get someone who's just not up to it, and that would be a huge shame for these players.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Keyser Söze on July 29, 2016, 04:15:16 PM
Not hugely up to speed on the football side of things. But I find the unfolding process interesting.

From the local scene, the only ones I can think of would be Sugrue, Pat Ryan, Joe Higgins, Tommy Conroy.
People always mention Mick Dempsey- it's not going to happen.

Tommy Conroy seems to be highly rated, but has never seemed to be in a position to dot he job.
Pat Ryan has had a couple of one-off successes in GAA, impressive but more or less in isolation. I doubt he has the time with boxing commitments.
Joe Higgins has done nothing to suggest he is up to the job. Has potential I would imagine.
John Sugrue is an interesting one. He is an intelligent and well rounded guy. Has he the necessary experience? I'd say not. Time wise I would presume if he could commit to South Kerry while living here, he'd manage to make the time for the Laois job.
Mick Lilis arguably has a much better management record than any of the above, and he seemed way out of his depth.
So I don't see how the County Board can risk appointing any of them as the main man.

Outsiders;
I don't think Anthony Cunningham is interested in the job. A Division 3 team that are not even playing his main sport, based in the same province as Dublin. What can he possibly achieve from his perspective? There are a couple of much more attractive hurling jobs available/going to be available within the next 12 months. He doesn't need this one. Also he is a co-director of a sports coaching company with Michael Fennelly- I'd say there is committment (& hassle) free money to be made there for a man of his stature during the summer months. 
I always felt Kevin McStay had great potential but irrespective of the fact that it hasn't really worked out, he is committed elsewhere.
John Evans- seems a bit of a spoofer, but has had success elsewhere and always seems to have teams well tuned in for the league, which I think is vital for where this team is currently at.
Jason Ryan- Whatever about Kildare, he did a fantastic job with Wexford. We are coming off a similar base to where Wexford were.
Luke Dempsey- Just no.
Tommy Carr- Ditto.


I cannot think of too many more outsiders with experience who would come on board.

From the above I would think a combo of Jason Ryan, John Sugrue plus two more from local scene- two of Padraig Clancy, Fergal Byron, Tom Kelly, Joe Higgins, Kevin Fitz would be one of the more attractive propositions. If Pat Ryan had the time, I'd certainly have him on board.
Another attraction of Ryan is that he has experience working under McGeeney and then taking over. If it worked out that Sugrue or one of the others was interested in learning his trade a little for a couple of years and then stepping in.

Winning Division 3, and reaching a Leinster Final/Semi are very reasonable targets. But they are not attractive enough for a big name (ala Cunningham) even if we had the money.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Joeythelips on July 29, 2016, 04:15:30 PM
Who was responsible for getting Cunningham in? I suspect the players were not happy with the way things were going and had a word possibly. Calling Lillis a chancer is a bit insulting, he is a proud Laois man with a good record at club level, but inter-county is a different kettle of fish these days, and some of the things he was saying in post match interviews was strange to say the least. He was shown to be out of his depth but in fairness he realised this himself and stood aside. I dont know much about Sugrue, but it sounds like the players respect him so thats a plus. Our players know they are as good as whats out their and given a good structure and backroom team in place they could be a seriously competitive team.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Keyser Söze on July 29, 2016, 04:21:07 PM
Quote from: Joeythelips on July 29, 2016, 04:15:30 PM
Who was responsible for getting Cunningham in?

I don't know how it happened, but I do know that there is a link between the Vice Chairman (who is also "Football Chairman") and Cunningham. Don't know if that is where the move came from.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Junior Ex Laoistalk on July 29, 2016, 05:10:35 PM
Would Chris Conway be available, he had great success with Knockbeg and has a lot of experience and football knowledge. Wouldn't be my favorite but might be worth a look..
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: redsetanta on July 29, 2016, 05:14:47 PM
Chris is still kicking club football so I doubt it's something he'd be interested in right now. Maybe in a few years but would be better in my opinion if he got the reigns with one of the underage groups and worked his way up.

Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: portlaoisekid on August 01, 2016, 02:55:40 PM
Darragh O'Se as manager and Sugrue with him is a rumour doing the rounds ...
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Giovanni on August 01, 2016, 03:49:01 PM
That would be an interesting combination.

I know he's been dismissed as a spoofer here but I would hope that they're considering John Evans too. The work he did with both Tipp and especially Roscommon was very good. He seems to have a way to get lads believing in themselves and playing with confidence and a bit of a swagger. That's what's really missing from our setup right now.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: BallyroanAbu on August 02, 2016, 09:02:31 AM
Malachy McNulty is entitled to be in the mix.  He has improved Portlaoise and in fairness has to be the outstanding candidate  within Laois.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: OTF on August 02, 2016, 09:34:05 AM
Quote from: portlaoisekid on August 01, 2016, 02:55:40 PM
Darragh O'Se as manager and Sugrue with him is a rumour doing the rounds ...

Was there a rumour about Darragh before TOF was appointed  ???  can't   see this happening myself, those lads have no interest in anything other than Kerry football and they have to prove themselves with Kerry underage teams first, was he involved with any I don't remember.

Laois football would not look well on  top of your resume for future work, its taken Liam Kearns  8 years to get another job with a bit of help from John Evans I'd say, none of the others have got anything yet.

I like Wollie and think he talks a lot of sense but this time I think its wishful thinking on his behalf as the bird has flown on this particular group of players.

My view is spend what every spare cash we have  on underage development, in fact pump every penny into it, its the only way forward.
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: Unison on August 02, 2016, 04:36:54 PM
PortlaoiseKid comes up with some good ones every now and then ;) Its not so long ago he told us the job was Cunningham's  ::)
Title: Re: All-Ireland Football Qualifiers 2016
Post by: portlaoisekid on August 03, 2016, 10:22:11 AM
Quote from: Unison on August 02, 2016, 04:36:54 PM
PortlaoiseKid comes up with some good ones every now and then ;) Its not so long ago he told us the job was Cunningham's  ::)
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