Messages

It was a shocking pull  and the real disappointment was the ref who bottled it. It's not the first time where Camross have got away with this type of tactic. Considering how they behaved last year, I don't expect them to give Leinster a rattle. Ross King deserves better than what happened today. Only a few weeks ago Clonaslee behaved the same against Portlaoise. This is not acceptable in 2018.

Lads, would it be possible to find a junior team to hurl with who wouldn't mind a blow in but might struggle to field a team/ have subs? To be honest my skills are poor and haven't played a minute since 2017.

It's really down to where you reside. The likes of Clonad and Colt are near Portlaoise and could suit as both are tight for numbers for 2nd team   I doubt Ballyfin and Mountmellick will refuse a player either. The good thing about Laois is the big clubs tend to put 3 or 4 teams so there should be room for you somewhere near where you reside.

I think it's actually a very good example of why amalgamations are allowed. Between the three clubs they only have 20 players. Ballacolla have a strong tradition of fielding teams on their own and this just happens to be an age group they are shy players for, as can happen with rural club's. It also gives Mountrath and trumera players a chance to play A hurling which they might otherwise not have had.

Have to agree. None of the clubs involved had remotely a team on  their own.

If you stop underage football after U19 a lot of lads could be left in limbo with having little or no football if they do not make the transition to senior straight away. I can't see a problem with running an U21 competition if a different time of year was found for it within calendar. With Portlaoise's dominance at senior level set to last for another decade or more it will probably be the last chance most footballers in Laois have of winning a county championship title with their club.     

Can they not play Junior? If they're not fit to at least be a sub for a Junior side at the age of 19, what are they planning on doing?

Have to agree with you.  If a chap isn't playing adult by 19, I think we can forget about him. 

It would be an ideal situation but will never happen. The Rock won't risk losing players to MM as there is no real division of areas this was seen as recently as last year when they sent players to St Paul's rather than risk losing them to MM. Kilcavan might be more open as their area would have boundaries. Emo and Courtwood are very distinct and there has never been a "poaching" problem. MM should have enough youngsters to stand alone.  there must be a huge school in there. Perhaps the Rock and Kilcavan could then work something out between them. A regular crop of three or four players each year would work miracles for all three clubs but they will have to take a long term view of things

You have hit the nail on the head as the root cause of the poor state of health of football in Mountmellick Town. There are two clubs  operating in the same catchment area which has led to division and a lot of players slipping through the cracks.  Logically there should be one club something I imagine won't happen anytime soon.

Perhaps last night might be a kick in the hole that MM need . They were banking on an instant return to senior and now they are still down they might be forced to take stock and plan a better way forward. I know Courtwood and Emo are amalgamated as st Paul's but that's always been the way and they are two very distinct adult clubs. They seem to be reaping the rewards of the hard work being done there now

The better way forward might me joining up with other 2 clubs in the parish and have a proper underage amalgamation.  Kilcavan have one decent crop coming through but apart from that underage  football in the parish is at very low ebb. At under 13 this year, a parish team would have challenged Kileshin/Crettyard  for A title but the clubs had their own teams with Kilcavan in "A" (great achievement)   Mountmellick in the "B" and the Rock in the "C" .  However, I imagine the clubs will  tip along doing their own thing.

After the beating St Josephs got, you have to wonder whether we will need divisional teams in the SFC proper. Otherwise, we will have no one going to the finals in the years to come.

Daly may try find an esb bill for some cow shed in Knockmay.

Normally I support the underdog but it's hard to have sympathy for Daly and Josephs.

As regards referees, fair play to Port who supply well above the quota. There was a game this week where a ref had to send off the 3 mentors for verbal use from the same team. How can we expect young people to take  up the role when they see that level of hassle at a fairly harmless underage game.

The clubs have to be consulted. Appointment to be  confirmed at September meeting.

Not all. I just think these Gaels teams have ruined Laois football. The likes of Mountmellick would rather get a few players to make up there teams instead of working with there own club players. Pure laziness really.

Could you explain how Gaels teams have ruined Laois football. 

If I'm not mistaken, it was the Under 15 A shield final which is a good achievement but should be treated with caution.  One way or another, it is one of the best crop of players in a while. If every Laois team was as good as this, we would be on our way.

Well done for saying it Eddie. It's an absolute disgrace that Mountmellick are allowed be a Gaels team in the intermediate championship.

I am not surprised that the county have let a Gaels team play in it because they have strongly promoted it over the years. It has ruined Laois football and it's unfortunately on going to become more common.

https://www.laoistoday.ie/2018/07/26/courtwood-manager-kinsella-hits-out-at-gaels-in-intermediate/

Laois didn't come up with this rule. It in the Official guide and was brought in a few years ago at Congress.

Ballinakill Trumera Margy Gaels

https://www.laoistoday.ie/2018/01/17/ballinakill-confirm-new-manager-propose-new-gaels-amalgamation/

Don't think this can happen unless Trumera fold or go back to intermediate. Senior B is classified as senior for Gaels purposes.

The way around it would be if Senior B was reclassified as Premier intermediate as they do in Cork and Wexford.

Ballinakill Trumera Margy Gaels

https://www.laoistoday.ie/2018/01/17/ballinakill-confirm-new-manager-propose-new-gaels-amalgamation/

Don't think this can happen unless Trumera fold or go back to intermediate. Senior B is classified as senior for Gaels purposes.