Messages

Delighted Tipperary got the home draw. I hope they win.

Should be a cracker. I'd fancy Galway to edge it.

Its showtime again in Tullamore.

Seems its gonna be dry for it and not half as windy as last Saturday.

Moolick is one huge guy so will see if we can win the midfield battle today.

We need at least one goal. We haven't scored a goal against Kildare in championship football since that glorious day we lifted the Delaney Cup.

I'm tipping Ross to really come to the fore today and chip in.

I think Evan O'Carroll can have a massive game.

Hopefully our defence can be better in the tackle and hopefully Donie can produce more genius today.

Looking forward to this one.

Some reflections on last Sundays massive victory.

We wanted it more, showed great fighting spirit particularly in the 2nd half. Didnt give Offaly a sniff.

Was worried when Offaly went 0-10 0-6 up, it seemed ominous. Turning point had to be the 8 points in a row in the space of 11 minutes- completely changed the momentum, we didnt want half time to arrive.

Moving 6 points clear was key in 2nd half to keep Offaly at arms length. Nearest they got was back to 5, 0-23 to 0-18.

That penalty decision was critical, cant believe they didnt have a look at it on Sunday Game. Speaking of which, what a disaster it is to have a "report" on the match- this isn't soccer. There were some awesome scores last Sunday, surely it wasn't too much to ask to give Laois/Offaly 10 to 15 minutes highlights? Having said that, there was some lovely chat about how far Laois have come since 2012 and what Cheddar has done so that made up a bit for the "report".

Great crowd there on Sunday and fine atmosphere.

Fantastic team performance but Willie Hyland really stood out with 7 from play.

Seeing what it meant to the players at the end was a joy to behold. What a sight, what a moment. Could actually savour the last couple of minutes as the job was complete.

Lets hope a large crowd from Laois will be there for the Galway game. Galway were very impressive last week themselves so it will be a massive challenge.

Laois hurling is on an upward curve and was great to see so many take notice.

Laois abu.

In terms of yesterdays "match" in Croke Park, what an absolute farce.

The GAA have created a monster and a monster needs a lot of food to be fed. In this case, food equals money.

This monster called Dublin is obese. Started to gain weight about 10 years ago and now is a food addict. Its now so big it can barely move. Thats why it always has all of its games at home.

Longford on the other hand is anorexic.

Something must be done by the GAA now before Longford dies. Lets spread the food around a bit more.

We are supposed to be an amateur organisation here. Lets make it fair or at least fairer.

Take Dubs out of Croker for a start. The monster needs to get some exercise.

Only 5 days left to the big one.

Advice for guys here: get your tickets early.

With it now being a double header, this could sell out.

Capacity 18,000.

What a sad situation it is that Cheddar had to resign less than 2 weeks before the biggest game of the year against Offaly.

Cheddar did not deserve this after all the the time, energy, committment given and by all accounts his expense.

2012 was a catastrophe. The embarrassment of having to ask the official in O'Connor park to open the gate for us to leave early in the 2nd half v Dublin. What a walloping. Official was sniggering "I didn't think ye were that bad". Followed up by a trouncing by Limerick in the qualifiers. Crisis.

Step in Cheddar to save Laois hurling.

2013 we had the feeling back. A feeling that did not exist since the late 90s. We were competitive again. Remember the feeling we had when Tommy Fitz smashed home that goal to put us ahead against Galway. Our first Leinster semi final since 2005.

What about 2014. What about putting it up to All Ireland champions Clare in the league quater final. What about leading Galway by 6 points with 15 minutes left last June in the Leinster quater final. None of this would be possible without Cheddar.

2015. Taking guys off to Spain for a training camp. Unheard of in Laois. A professional set up.

Yeah sure form hasn't been top notch this year. Losing to Antrim and barely shaking off Carlow. But the 2nd half display against Westmeath last Sunday was much more like it. The lads clicked for the first time this year.

Cyril Farrell last Monday described the upcoming game against Offaly as 50/50. I dont think he'd say that today.

Bottom line is: we need Cheddar back. And fast. I can only hope that everything possible is being done to make this happen.

Ah here we are again. What we all have been waiting for, its Championship time!! Such a long wait but thats what makes it so special.

Lets hope for a good support for this derby game and obviously the right result.

I'm sure Carlow will go hell for leather but we should be able to produce enough to get over the line.

Glad to hear things are going well in the camp.

Best of luck lads, this is what all the hard training has been for.

Laois Abu

Well done Laois for retaining Division 1B status.

The aim now has to be to win the Leinster qualifying group in May and have a good bash at Offaly on June 7th.

We should be flying by then.

Still sick after the defeat on Saturday. Kildare fans do seem to have a superiority complex when it comes to playing Laois. Its always been the case for as long as I remember. Should the teams meet again on June 6th if we manage to overcome Carlow, this defeat will spur the Laois team on hugely.

Positives on the night: Mark Timmons was outstanding. If he gets injured, we're in big trouble. Tom Shiel had a great game when he came on and looks to have great potential. Donie Kingston would make any team in the country.

Donie is a huge loss for the game against Down. Hopefully we can get a result there. We deserve to stay in this division.

In my view, a team should always aim to play at the highest level possible.

Why would a team not want to get promoted to division 1??

My county, Laois got promoted to division 1 from division 2 in 2011 along with Donegal.

The following year, 2012, while Laois fell short and got relegated, we still got to the quater finals of the championship while Donegal went on to win the All Ireland.

Higher standards of football egual higher standards of player.

Could not make it to Kilmallock as was in Tuam for the football.

Good to hear we were competitive against the Limerick men and led at half time.

The game against Antrim next Saturday should be an interesting outing before we play them in the championship. Would be nice to beat them again and boost morale in the camp.

In terms of yesterdays game in Tuam, it really was a classic case of a game of two halves.

Donie's goal in the first half was massive, it meant the half time lead wasn't too large. The fact that Galway didn't score in the second half just shows the ferocity of the wind. Unpleasant conditions for football.

The lads stayed patient as we closed Galway's lead and we only got level with 6 minutes to play. We finished with a flourish then once young Shiel lobbed the keeper for the 2nd goal.

Was delighted to be there to witness another fine result. This team deserve a decent support at home in a local derby against our fierce rivals, Kildare. Hopefully now with the double header that a sizeable home support will be present.

I think its a 50/50 game against the Lilywhites and if we can produce second half displays like the last 3 matches, then we have every chance.

Massive game coming up against Galway.

I have to disagree with the poster who believes Damien O'Connor should have went for the winning point late on in the game against Meath. While Damien had a fine game and has great pace, I feel in this instance he should have carried the ball nearer to goal and maybe have won a free or perhaps have passed the ball on to a scoring forward who may have snatched a win for us.

Delighted with the draw in Navan. Well deserved.

Great second half comeback led by John O'Loughlin and Mark Timmons.

Some great points scored as well.

Fantastic team spirit.