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Laoise are good enough to beat Offaly in Tullamore, and certainly they should have done so in the league. However, like Ogie, I wouldn't be that sure that they actually will. Mind you, Westmeath's current form puts the relegation/ promotion play-off win into some sort of perspective. Perhaps...
If they end up playing Kerry, I assume it's a neutral venue?

I see Kerry get to play at home yet Galway can't because it's the "Leinster" Championship

Hurley logic??

Actually, the 'round robin' is not considered part of the Leinster championship proper. It's a qualifying group for the Leinster championship, so Kerry - and Antrim last year - are entitled to home games.

Yes, great win for Westmeath. Offaly have two home games now, so should still bounce back to qualify. Does anyone know if there's relegation from the round-robin this year?

Good win, but a very tough quarter-final w/ Dublin in Parnell Park. Looking at the whacking Offaly got, too...

Start of June, I think.

The 5th, to be more exact.

Wasn't there a chart of all the county's club crests done for the 125 year anniversary thing, and put on a wall in Croke Park?

Actually, the importance of this win cannot be overstated. Going into the championship on a loss would be a serious downer, but a win will give them a bit of a fillip. Hopefully some of the injuries will be cleared up, and they can prepare will a full squad. Well done to them all.

Didn't Robert Jones from Kilcotton play for the minor footballers one year they won the all-Ireland? 2003, was it?

Must be the first time there's someone from the 'other side' of the county on a Laoise team.

Or, at least, the first time in quite a while...

I hope you're right, Keyser, but I think staying as we are would be a massive achievement. Whatever about beating Westmeath (not a given, without Willie, and Zane), I just can't see them beating Offaly or Kerry in the Leinster championship. I think the drop has been remarkable, and this thing of having lost a load to retirements doesn't hold water. John A and Joe Fitz would've been the only ones starting, as far as I could see. Or perhaps it's the old thing of only being able to play in O'Moore Park - which, again, doesn't bode well for the weekend.

Oh dear, oh dear. They really, really should have won that. A bucket load of chances at the end came to nought, most of them wide from Cha's stick. However, am I right in saying that if Laoise had won they'd be playing Wexford in the relegation match? As it is, they have a buoyant Kerry - presumably in Kerry.
Anyway, a great response to last week's drubbing. I liked Ryan Mulllaney at full-back, in what was generally a good full-back line, and Matthew W. returned to the centre back position, to good effect. Better form Willie Hyland, and Stephen Maher, too. Scully had a few good points, but also a couple of fumbles. I think Enda Rowland has firmly cemented his position after today's display, too.
So, hopefully they'll be encouraged and not deflated by that result. When's the play-off? A fortnight?
No sign of Neil Foyle?

Was Keenan not in Limerick?

Well, it wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it was probably a case of Leix dragging Clare down to their level a bit. It'd be easier to pick out the lads who were a bit 'off' (Cha, Picky, Zane) than those who in outstandingly good form, though Healy did fairly well, Whelan looked  somewhat more comfortable, and Joe Phelan had his moments. Scully showed some nice touches when he came on, but his decision making let him down at times. Also, a lot of wides from Laoise made sure it never got really interesting, but they did work hard and showed a bit of fight for a while in the second half.
Still and all, I'd rather an eight point loss to Clare than an eight point loss to Kerry, even if Clare weren't at full tilt.
By the way, anyone know why wasn't Darren Maher playing?

Zzzzzz...

Pauric Maher???

Yeah, the wing back. Wasn't it him pulled off that high tackle around the head on TJ Reid? Sorry if I got the name wrong?!

Ha ha! I see - you're joking! Laoise wish they had Pauric Maher, and Offaly would love to have TJ Reid!!

Pauric Maher???