Messages

Maybe Hyland is right what he's saying.

Next Laois manager if we have any sense

Minor Final should be another great watch. A lot of talented players on both sides (Mahony, Delaney, Whelan and Phelan in particular) but I feel The Harps might have a little more depth around the pitch. Weather forecast isn't amazing and if it comes down to a tight battle, Phelan's free-taking could be a big strength.

I think Rathdowney/Errill will win the Premier Intermediate. The gaps between games could hurt Ballyfin whereas RE will have had quality training all year. Ballyfin have a nice blend of size, power and pace but I think they could struggle against a physical RE backline.
Separately, I also disagree with Ballyfin playing Castletown in a play-off should they lose; if they can't beat RE's second team, they've no business competing against their first team. I don't think they'd want to go up without winning a championship anyway.

For the senior, it's really hard to see anything but a Camross win.
There's no comparison in terms of form (collective and individual), attacking strength, defensive solidity and bench options. There's no doubt Clough/Ballacolla are capable of a big performance but it would take a remarkable upturn in form and I just don't know how they can hold the Camross full-forward line and hit enough scores at the other end.

All 3 predictions wrong. 

Heard this morning that Picky has committed to Laois for next year. Huge boost if true.

6 points flattered Camross, in truth. CB were dominant all over the pitch and but for Zane, Camross had no answer. The sweeper suited CB incredibly well but even that notwithstanding, I thought Pearson (in particular) Maher and Doyle hurled very well. A lot of soul-searching in Camross and with Picky presumably to come back, CB look strong moving forward.

The minor final was brilliant. I expected The Harps to win but they lost it in the first half with the wind. I wonder about the overall quality in comparison with previous years but then there were a lot of 13-15 year olds playing.

Minor Final should be another great watch. A lot of talented players on both sides (Mahony, Delaney, Whelan and Phelan in particular) but I feel The Harps might have a little more depth around the pitch. Weather forecast isn't amazing and if it comes down to a tight battle, Phelan's free-taking could be a big strength.

I think Rathdowney/Errill will win the Premier Intermediate. The gaps between games could hurt Ballyfin whereas RE will have had quality training all year. Ballyfin have a nice blend of size, power and pace but I think they could struggle against a physical RE backline.
Separately, I also disagree with Ballyfin playing Castletown in a play-off should they lose; if they can't beat RE's second team, they've no business competing against their first team. I don't think they'd want to go up without winning a championship anyway.

For the senior, it's really hard to see anything but a Camross win.
There's no comparison in terms of form (collective and individual), attacking strength, defensive solidity and bench options. There's no doubt Clough/Ballacolla are capable of a big performance but it would take a remarkable upturn in form and I just don't know how they can hold the Camross full-forward line and hit enough scores at the other end.

Serious serious effort from Ballinakill. Some of their lesser-heralded players were brilliant. Lost nothing in defeat and they've proven me and many wrong by showing that expanding the senior c/ship to 10 teams has seen players develop and improve.

Clough/Ballacolla just don't have the fire-power without Picky. Anything can happen in a final but I'd have concerns for them.

Camross big favourites for the final. Clinical dismissal of a very lacklustre Rathdowney/Errill. RE held Mossy for a while but once he got into his stride, he was sensational. They're strong all over the pitch and look to be coming strong at the right time.

Firmly believe if The Harps had went out this year and hurled their natural game that they'd be in a senior quarter-final tomorrow. Cut out all the needless off the ball crap.
Far too slick for Castletown this evening.
They will have to start the relegation final as favourites for the drop. Though they might have a kick in them.

I don't think any Harps players would miss the next round as the Senior B is a different competition. Suspensions would carry over into next year.

Thought the referee did a solid job last night to be honest. Got the red card right, both penalties and pulled defenders up for off the ball pulling, dragging etc.

I fancied The Harps to win before the game. In some ways they've made progress this year but that'll hurt them.

Very hard to see past Camross or Rathdowney/Errill for the championship.

I think all 5 teams from Group B will win again the next day.

Tonight: Castletown vs Portlaoise
Must win for both teams. Portlaoise can't afford to drop points with Rath/Errill in their last game. New manager bounce for Castletown? With Ballinakill in their last game; they'll feel they have a chance of making a quarter-final.
Draw.

Tomorrow
Bk vs Abbeyleix.
Another tough one to call. Abbeyleix won the League Final meeting and will be buoyed by a great win over RE. But I think a lot of people are sleeping on BK and if Colm Stapleton, Noah Quinlan and PJ Scully play, I think they have a big chance.
BK by 3.

CB vs RE.
I think CB's need is greater given the way the groups are shaping up. Another loss and they'd be hugely vulnerable against The Harps in their last game. RE have more strength in depth and I think a better spread of scorers with CB's reliance on Picky Maher sorely evident.
RE by 4.

Sunday:
Rosenallis vs The Harps.
Make or break for The Harps. Written off by many, a win on Sunday could reignite their aspirations. Rosenallis have been brilliant so far, two brilliant performances in dismantling Camross and destroying Castletown. They are full of pace and power and the bookies have them as favourites.
I'll oppose them and back The Harps by 3.

Camross vs Ballinakill.
Ballinakill should really be on 3 or even 4 points. As it stands, a loss here would likely be fatal. And Camross are coming now fully-loaded and look the team to beat. If Cha plays at 14, and if Ian Shanahan can shackle Mossy, Ballinakill might have a chance but all signs point to a Camross win.
Camross by 6.

They should introduce seeding next year, let clubs know that seeding will be based on league and last years championship and seeding will decide championship structure each season. That way every side know where they stand and if they want to stay senior they can do something about it.

I think club delegates won't trust anything that seems complicated.

Run the senior and intermediate championships as normal initially.

Play both the Senior proper and Senior B as separate competitions after Round 3 with promotion and relegation.

Beaten quarter-finalists into relegation semi-finals; one team down.
Senior B Champions promoted.

Camross were excellent on Sunday. Should have won by more and their backs dominated a CB forward line that look a little short of scores.

Rosenallis' obliteration of Castletown was really excellent and I think they're genuine dark-horses now. They still have work to do to get out of their group but they could certainly come through against any of CB, Abbeyleix, Portlaoise or Ballinakill.
I know a lot of posters here rate Castletown highly and I think I was tricked into it too but unless their change of management brings a considerable bounce, I think they're in big trouble.

I, and others, have been sleeping on BK a little. I think there's every chance they'll get out of the group now and if injuries clear, they are still a talented group. They lack a little strength in depth but if they can be competitive and strong defensively, they certainly have the forwards to threaten any team.

I think The Harps will still have a big part to play this year, if, and it's a huge IF,  they can beat Rosenallis next week. They have underperformed and some hard questions need to be asked but it's unfair and inaccurate to say they don't have huge individual quality in Podge Delaney, Cody and Ciaran Comerford, James Duggan, Eoghan Murphy, Pauric Dunne and Ciaran Flynn. Their backs are to the wall now; I think they'll come out swinging and if they hurl with a touch of freedom and abandon, they could push themselves back into contention.

In all honesty, I could never have expected the new format to have worked out so well. I called it wrong. I'm still not convinced it's seeing an overall better standard but that's down to the clubs not the format. Hopefully at least 8 teams are going into the last round of games with something to play for.

And..... moving on swiftly. We have lost our Lead S and C. Where does that leave us?

Is this the overall head of S&C at county level or one of the senior team coaches?

Super win for Abbeyleix tonight. Massive boost to their chances of getting out of the group.

They brought pace and energy to the game and RE were a little lacking in both.

Friday:
Abbeyleix need it more than Rathdowney/Errill and they've caused RE plenty of trouble over the last few years...but I can't see it. They're not scoring enough from play whereas RE have plenty of threats. I think RE will win by 5.

Saturday:
Rosenallis coming in on a high against Castletown who will be disappointed to have let a lead slip the last day. A loss for Castletown would probably end their championship hopes and a lot might depend on Aaron Phelan's availability. Rosenallis are undoubtedly fitter overall, Donnchadh Hartnett could be home and they might just have enough. Rosenallis by 2.

Ballinakill have had two decent performances but nothing to show for it. The Harps were desperately disappointing the last day but are due to have James Duggan home. Both teams need a win here but I'm backing The Harps greater firepower to make the difference. The Harps by 4.

Sunday:
Borris/Kilcotton and Portlaoise could be the game of the weekend. I think BK need a win. They were decent enough last week without 3 of their best players in Scully, Noah Quinlan and Stephen Dunphy. Get them back; they should be favourites. But I've a feeling Portlaoise are fitter and stronger and will take beating. I'll sit on the fence and call a draw.

On paper, Clough/Ballacolla and Camross should be a cracker but I fear this won't feel like championship. Camross simply have to bring a performance and come away with at least a draw, realistically a win. With Mossy and Mark Dowling back, their backs against the wall, I'll back them to get the result they need. Camross by 3.