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I think all teams should have at least the possibility of winning the All Ireland. The All Ireland series should be based on seeding and seedings are derived from the stand alone competitions of the league, provincial championships, the Tailteann cup (all of which are run off before the AI series starts) and also previous seasons AI championship.
The top 16 ranked sides qualify to compete for Sam McGuire in proper knockout format with the final in September.

I though it was a shame they ditched the Joe McDonagh winners playing the 3rd place team in Leinster/Munster, that was an avenue to theoretically win the All Ireland, even though there was a big gulf between the two tiers they would have at least being apart of the competition.

It does feel like those tiers are being ignored. This was the RTE GAA page last Saturday on the day they were broadcasting the Joe McDonagh cup final, not even one article about the fact it was even on.

We'll ate Carlow alive in Croker. The timbering they done in netwatch wont work in Croker. Last year we weren't right either day against Kildare, as we thought we just had a bad day the first day and went again. We've torn it up this time and the build of the forward line has changed. We'll ate them.

Not as comfy as I suspected but comfy in the end. Delighted for Tommy Fitz, a gent of a man and deserving of his moment. He took some blackguarding the past year and half, here and other places, there's not a bad bone in Tommys body and his love and care for our county is always foremost.

Well done also to Picky, what a servant, what a warrior. He had no need to come back, he'd give us plenty, but back he came, and partly down to Tommy also. He had his day again today, and was my MOTM, without him we'd not have had the platform from puck outs for a start. A legend and his name is well made in Laois hurling now.

Two pieces of silverware. Enjoy it, we'll  worry about next year next year.

In fairness the league Laois were in compared to Carlow was a big handicap in terms of preparation so makes it that bit sweeter for the group.

Great to get win after last few years but far from convincing. Still in a final the win is all that matters. The game was summed up by the Laois goal in a way, lots of mistakes by both teams before it eventually came across to Cillian Dunne to bury it to the net. He got a super point near the end under the Hogan stand also.

Carlow will be kicking themselves though, not sure their final wides tally but they had hit 20 wides by the 62nd minute which tells it's own story.

Decent first half from Laois after a poor stat. Both sides guilty of basic mistakes and bad wides but Laois overall greater quality throughout the side giving them the edge but they need to be smarter with their decision making.

I foolishly went on to the GAA page on the national broadcasters website to double check the throw in time, I assumed seen as they are broadcasting it they would at least have one article about the game. Nope.

RTE clearly couldn't care less about promoting the game. What a joke.

Best of luck to all today . Bit of a gamble starting Cody after so long out maybe , and personally I would prefer if Podge is in full back line again . Carlow ff line big strong and good in the air .

Yes they caused us lots of problems before with their direct running and physicality up front, if Laois can deal with that they should get it done

Where to start after all that drama?

The 2026 Leinster Championship was certainly memorable, for a variety of reasons.  It's fair to say that the competition has received a massive shot in the arm, last year and now, from the novelty of Louth and Westmeath ending Dublin's hegemony.

Westmeath's ascent to the summit is scarcely believable, even for ardent Westmeath fans.  It started with an excellent performance over Longford, which primed us for the stunning ambush of Meath, for just the second time ever.  Momentum was built with the battling victory and resilience demonstrated in overcoming Kildare, for just the third time ever.

The bookies offered 11/2 for the final with Dublin 1/7.  The consensus was that Dublin had reignited the flame against Louth and would prevail.  A Westmeath victory would be our fourth over Dublin. A pattern was emerging.

The mood in Westmeath was a bit different to the perceived wisdom.  The level of confidence on the ground was quietly growing.  Our status in the League wasn't reflected in the opinion that we could have a real shot at Dublin.  In many ways it was a free hit for Westmeath and the narrative was that the team was going to really turn up.  The public responded in a similar fashion.

Mark McHugh has done an incredible job in changing the mindset.  The team was on a mission.  2004 was used as a positive motivation.  It was time to create a new story.  The loss of Luke Loughlin allowed/forced others to step up.  McHugh seemed to take inspiration from Paul Galvin and John Heslin came back into the setup.  This was agreed by the group and reflected Heslin's sensational scoring rate at club level. 
The brittleness in evidence during the League has diminished and the team has demonstrated incredible resolve and adherence to the plan.  The contrast with the mood before the finals in 2015/2016 could not have been greater.  The momentum, within the team and among the general public, was very strong.

The final was a truly wonderful occasion for Westmeath.  Croke Park was a sea of maroon as the Dublin support never materialised. It seemed that there were at least twice as many Westmeath fans as Dubs.  The players seemed to feed off this energy and the intensity was immense.

I thought Dublin were really hindered by the loss of Ó Cofaigh Byrne.  The balance changed in the middle.  Brian Howard battled incredibly hard but eventually ran out of steam.  This gave Westmeath a platform.  Dublin showed glimpses of their previous excellence but couldn't push on.  Westmeath kept them close and then then slowly squeezed Dublin.  The late switch in momentum was temporary as Westmeath wrested back the initiative in extra time.

Dublin were unable to reproduce the energy of the Louth game.  The general performance was muted at times.  Dublin were outfought in some situations. This will be a concern if it's not eradicated quickly.  The loss of Con and Murchan was obvious.  I think Ger Brennan's ban has really hurt the team.  Leadership was provided by the older players, but it seemed at times as if Westmeath had more players on the pitch.

Westmeath had heroes all over the field.  Thirteen players scored.  The defence was incredible, aided by really impressive fitness. The willingness to work was astounding.  This comes down to the spirit instilled by McHugh.  Players took responsibility continuously.  In the endgame, Wallace, McCartan, Heslin and Allen showed real composure. Connellan's departure was not an issue.  The team at last managed the clock down properly.

Heslin's cameo was a success. An error in front of goal was forgotten as he started claiming marks, winning dirty ball, providing a constant outlet and arching over a fabulous two point score.

When the dust settles, a few interesting stats emerge.

Westmeath scored 13 goals in the four matches, with seven players contributing. Amazingly we conceded just one goal during this sequence.  That occurred after five minutes in the Longford game.    Westmeath subsequently played another five hours and fifteen minutes without conceding a goal.  There's obviously an element of luck involved, but this gives an insight into the concentration and commitment to keep the goal intact.

Similarly six players hit nine 'two point' scores in these matches.  We conceded 14 of these, although Longford scored six of that total.

Luke Loughlin has been our talisman, however the load has been shared in his absence.  The team has grown remarkably.  13 players scored against Dublin, similar to the Kildare game.  It had been 12 against Longford and nine against Meath.  Others filled the void.

The tight battles will prove invaluable in terms of lessons learned and experienced gained.  Players that have low numbers of games have come through high pressure moments.  It's exciting to see what can be achieved as the team develops in the next few campaigns.

The release of emotion after the achievement was immense.  This is understandable when one considers the history of Westmeath GAA.  These lads have achieved immortality in our little patch.  The celebrations are ongoing.  McHugh's next significant task will be to refocus for the All Ireland series.  It will be interesting to see how he manages.  The energy will change again, subtly, but definitely.  How will this manifest itself?  Will the manic effort be sustained?  How will the team fare as they reset and start again?  Interesting times.

Dermot McCabe will no doubt have a strategy to ask some hard questions.

McHugh can just sit them down and look at the match once again. I could not believe how poor Dublin were, Westmeath should have beaten them out the gate, Ciaran Kilkenny was carrying them on his own it seemed along with the midfielder who went off injured. I recall a Dublin lad playing a kick pass directly to an unmarked Westmeath player 15 yards away, the goalkeeper was practically on his line and still let a highball go in for a goal and one Dublin lad went to hand pass a point and hit it well wide (at least he was under pressure) to mention 3 examples. That is the type of mistakes you'd see at u-12 level, I could not believe what I was watching.

This is a plus though as McHugh can use this to highlight to the panel there is a still an awful lot of room for improvement. Having a good bench is vital in modern day inter county football and Westmeath have that. They are in bonus territory now so a dangerous opponent for any side.

It was a great occasion and well deserved win for Westmeath but was very surprised at the poor standard especially in the first half.

Westmeath were wide open at the back and a ruthless team would have put a few goals on them. I was shocked how poor Dublin were also, they kicked passes straight to Westmeath men and we hitting wides with fisted efforts. The likes of Kerry would murder them.

In fairness to Westmeath it was a huge occasion for them so that probably had a effect and the win will bring them on a lot. I was very impressed with their No 5 who is a very tidy footballer who read the game very well.

7 of the Offaly team that played Laois in the 2022 leinster minor final started against Dublin saturday night while none of the laois team started against Carlow. Surely a couple of them are good enough to be hurling senior by now?

That is some stat, Laois have only reached 2 Leinster minor hurling finals since 1992 and the latest to do so an not one has made the senior panel. How are these players falling through the cracks

The players are doing their best.
But we're just a average div.3 side.
We lack size and physicality.
And we may just accept it.

You could say Westmeath are just an average Div 3 side also. Laois beat them by 9 points in the league but yesterday Westmeath reached the Leinster semi final by beating Meath. But things are clearly been done well in the county as their minors and U-20s beat the Dubs over the past month. We sent our minors out to be slaughtered by Meath.

Anyone at the game? Was listening to commentary today on 103, sounded like Laois gave it their all but Kildare were able to hold them at arms length down the home straight.

Would have to agree, Carlow looked bigger and stronger than Laois

They horsed us out of it. Plain and simple.

Came on here expecting 2-3 pages of discussion about the match. Just 2-3 comments to be found. Is interest at an all time low or would it be busier if we were bet out the gate?

The history of this forum shows lads only post when they want to have a moan

That comment is very offensive to the many genuine Laois supporters on this forum who faithfully followed Laos teams down the years. In the main the posts on this forum are insightful and the posters have Laois's interests at heart.

I wasn't able to make the game last Saturday but listened to Midlands Radio 3 commentary. What a heartwarming result.

It's not wrong though. Read back. When times are bad the kickings come. When the results are good, there's the tumbleweed.

It's why players shouldn't pay a blind bit of notice to shit posted online anonymously by arseholes like us, myself included. Listen to the lads who talk to your face, and your family.

They're the ones who matter.

Same as it ever was, it is human nature. That is why news papers and internet algorithms get us enraged to get us posting and keep us engaged. Unfortunately we get more animated over a loss that an win at times. So you would have more posts over Laois minors getting hammered by Meath rather than our Senior team beating Offaly as a result as people will feel anger at Laois players getting such a beating.

It's just noise though, best to ignore it. It won't help them beat Kildare.

Was listening on Midlands 103, sounded like Laois were by far the better team and the margin of victory would have been much greater only for some good saves by the Offaly keeper.

I know some are saying Offaly were very poor but you can only beat what's in front of you. They will not fear Kildare.