Messages

Credit to all the lads involved, this is exactly what Laois hurling needed - getting out of the round robin series for next year is massive. Terrible outcome for Galway, the last thing they will want is another battle like the last couple against Laois. They will be coming off a big high after beating Dublin but lets hope they get bogged down again and we can finish them off this time.

Beyond the controversy I think laois have a great chance this weekend especially if they can limit the goals. I'd say it will be a low scoring game with both teams nervous and concentrating on defence more than attack. Can't see iy being a great spectacle but will be great if they can pull it off.

Obviously he has given great service to the county but he did the county a great diservice in the last week or so. The lads like jimmy Walsh have also given great service and deserve the start for biding their time.

I don't think having a point to prove is a good reason to start someone, there is plenty that have points to prove. You cannot create a team culture where lads can do what they want and because they are big names and show remorse you act like nothings happened. This is a time to show respect to the backup players who have bided their time all year and sacrificed playing time with their club to sit on the bench for the county while Matthew got playing time.

Is there any way to sanction the club for playing them? If it had been a league game I know there are penalties in place but are they exempt when it is just a challenge game. They should be made an example of.

Footballers to sneak a win but the hurlers to shell goals and lose by 5 -7 pts.

all this Cheddar is back  lets not forget he isn't playing, i think all this will he won't he be back has took the eye off the main thing that is the game, should be a very close game but maybe the laois squad had other thinks on their minds the pass week that could be the differents at the end. or it could go the other way make them a stronger side.

All in all the last week and a half has been another farce for Laois Hurling. When Cheddar took over it was under a premise of a 3 year plan to improve Laois Hurling. There is no doubt that there have been improved results and professionalism has increased but you also have to account for the fact Antrim and Carlows development has taken marked steps back. We are yet to take a championship "scalp" of any quality and this weekend looks like the best chance to correct this against a below par Offaly team. Should the team lose I think Cheddar will have to consider whether his position is still tenable. His role as manager of the 21s has to go down as a mistake looking back now.

Optimism has to be high going into the game and it will be most interesting how Cheddar handles the recent indiscipline. With Matthew back in the panel its going to be a tough choice whether to start him. Personally I think he should be benched for his misjudgement.