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Portlaoise look a different team this year and seem to be driven differently. Brody adds a complete different dimension to them and appears to be really on his game. ....... Billy may get him back in. Port just did enough but I think may have a bit more left to come. O Ds looked poor enough but still found a way. Have very dangerous forwards if the game is loose but still needed an agricultural high ball in to the big man to escape. Courtwood are well organised and committed. They get matchups right but need a couple more scoring forwards. I'd imagine that theyll be looking forward to this given that ODs put 7 goals past them the last time they met in championshio

Graigue have very little to be sick about. Bar the missed penalty Courtwood were by far the better taem . Missed 5 or 6 easy frees struck the post twice. An old fella in front of me said thea if courtwood were bet it was their own fault. Ballyroan unlucky . Ref should have given them a chance to get a shot off before he blew it up i think

Just another small question how can they put mentors in place when people are not willing to allow their names to go forward. I was involved with a team in there for a while and to be fair to the co board anything that was looked for within reason was provided. A huge problem is actually getting people to come into be part of setups. We covered the Co looking for people to help at different levels. But could only get three volunteers.  So while I know the Co Board are far from perfect some blame must attach itself to people who are not willing to help out both at County level and also at club level

Heard its a former Tipp/Dublin hurler. Has been ringing players already

Great win for the ladies. The whole county should be very proud of them

I see that sports Joe.ie have Derek Mcgrath nominated as the most suitable candidate for the Laois senior job

From what I hear this years setanta is u10 next year is u10 and 11 the following u10 11 and 12 and so on until they are in development squads teaching basic skills at first and improvinv on them all the way up. Will take a while but should lead to a good supply of kids coming through in the future

I think Peter Quelly from waterford could be a great appointment should Cheddar step down. Hurled a a high level and is a successful club manager in Waterford with only Ballygunner being the team to defeat his teams in Co finals. Knew all about being the underdog yet gets the max out of his teams

Actually thought the defence was a bit exposed till half time then Loughman went back centre back  and byrne moved to midfield. He quietened  their no 8. I like the look of lyons at centre forward  hes fierce mobile and skilful. I think he kicked 4 points too. A good win

Seán Greene in tháinig with seniors this morning

Yes I'd agree that the amalgamation must be a long term one Stradbally parish gaels are 3 clubs joined for 30 years and St Pauls could be up to 50 and both seem to get on well. Amalgamations should be sensible (parish or adjoining clubs) and have a minimum term of time possibly 10 years which allows clubs to exist yet develop players at underage for the future

Lads taking a cheap pop at the likes of trumers should really go out and see what they're dealing with. Why do you think there's only 4 or five playing with Mountrath???could it be possibly cos there are only 4 or 5 youngsters available maybe. Its easy to sit and cast judgement on a club from a position of relative strength but it's a credit to trumera that their adult club is so successful. To the likes of a small rural club 4 young fellas coming up have to be minded as best they can. I'm sure if there are trumera chaps playing with other clubs then you can be sure that there's a few from there involved coaching too.. 13 or 11 a side won't work for the likes of trumera but amalgamations do. It's getting the balance is the problem

With regards to Ballyroan not having a County minor I've heard that one chap in particular who was on the starting team last year was pursued through several channels but declined to go in.

Ballyroan Abbey gaels have an amalgamation of 6 clubs at one level...... From one of the most dominant underage setups of recent times.I'm a bit surprised it was allowed but I suppose the young people needs some option for football.

While we talk about indiscipline I think that because it's a laois player then refs are more inclined to give a red. Take Jack Kelly's pull..... If a tipp or kk or limerick player did it would it be a straight red?? Gearoid Heagarty pulled twice across a clare man's head and still only got a second yellow. Smaller teams get harsher punishments I feel. As a further point how many times did laois players get shoulders to the head yesterday with no sanction. I counted at least 3 which were worthy of reds in my opinion