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Lots of insiders were happy to see Sugrue go. That's the reality. There will be no going back begging for him to come back. A man with his intelligence, demeanour and nous was a threat to them. John's the kind of person who will be successful wherever he goes. It doesn't matter who we appoint next because whoever it is will not give to Laois what John Sugrue did.
There is absolutely no substance to the rumour of Sugrue joining
up with with JOC . Where these stories get started are bemusing.
I think it's only an issue at underage level.
I presume it's fair to see Rob Tyrrell as a good example.
He came through as a fine footballer from a club where the focus is conservatively 75% hurling. As things stand now, if he was called into a Laois panel then he would be getting County training from say November-June. He'd go back and kick a bit of junior, hurl a few games and then have a couple of months to do some recovery and S&C before going back in with Laois.
Is that really an issue??
I accept, however, that there are players aged 13 right now who are potential senior footballers in 8 years. They could easily fall through the cracks.
The challenge for them is that they may be playing 'B' grade on their own or with some ramshackle amalgamation. He's likely training twice a week with 11 year olds making up the numbers and he never needs to learn the fundamental skills that are a prerequisite at the highest level. Compared that with the same footballer in Portlaoise or St Paul's and that's the issue. And I use St Paul's deliberately. Excuse me if I'm wrong on this but it seems a really good relationship. It's not an Emo or Courtwood Gaels team, the clubs involved know what they're getting out of it and they actively put work into it. The players are benefitting from the structure and the exposure to good training and 'A' competition.
In years to come, there may be a conversation about the arrangement extending to adult level but again, that's a really separate one.
The first solution to this needs to come primarily from the clubs. Look at their primary school(s), can they get 10 boys in first class still playing in 1st Year. If they do this consistently across a decade and have quality coaching, a bit of luck and things go for them, they'll improve. If they can't get those numbers through, they need to think of a way around it.
The other solution needs to come from the County. Development Panels need to look beyond the Athletic and dominant 'Big Lads' and cast a net that includes player who may be late bloomers. The balance is key.
I'm not saying for a second that this will cure the ills within our Senior Football or Hurling Championships. They're separate issues as far as I'm concerned. I do think 16 senior football clubs is too many...I actually think 8 hurling is too few. But I am adamant that Divisional Teams entering the senior championships are not the panacea that some claim.
Disappointed with the quality of the games I saw this weekend.
I suppose the weather on Saturday affected the games. Ballyfin played some nice football in the first game and Crettyard must be hot favourites to go down now. They look a very disjointed outfit.
In the second game, Portlaoise were well below par and I think it shows that they might be there to be got at by a well organised team with a little bit more quality than Courtwood. To be fair to them, Courtwood gave it a really good go and can only improve from the game.
The third game was ruined by the weather. I think the smallish, light Port team would go better on a dry, fine day. Fancy them to win the replay. Ballyroan Abbey got a few breaks on the night.
I missed the early games Sunday. Saw half of the Emo Stradbally game. Emo far better team. Stradbally had too many passengers but I think may be able to stay up. Last game was very drab. Graigue kinda left it behind them. I think they led 9-5 and didn’t score again until injury time (or so it seemed). O’Dempseys would need to play a lot better to get to another county final.
Heard nothing about Josephs and The Heath. The Heath are really well off the level of senior football. If you were reducing the senior teams by three or four to bring in area teams, they would be certain to drop I’d imagine.
I had actually heard one or two rumblings that certain people weren't happy with his performance. To those people I would say cop yourselves on and take a long hard look at what we have available to us.
It reminds me of when McNulty was ran out of town. There were those who thought we were better than getting to All Ireland quarter finals and playing Division 1 and Division 2 football. As we fell down to division 4, those people got their answer.
It struck me as very strange both the decision and the timing. It didn't smell of a long, carefully thought out "Family and Business" decision. Wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if they fucked it up yet again. If there's one thing they are uncomfortable with it's a manager doing well. Incompetent wouldn't even begin to describe it.
Why manage an inter county team when Leinster is dead and the All Ireland is a procession?
It can’t be easy motivating players who get hammered as standard
