2019 Allianz Football League Division 3.

[Nameless]

What a turn around in the second half. It might be unfair on the other players to say that Kingston turned the game single handily but for sure, we would not have won without his introduction. At centre forward he won a lot of ball, created scores and got some himself. Training for a full season will make a big difference. Great league debut for Murphy. Early days but he looks the part. O'Carroll is very dangerous but his accuracy can let him down sometimes. Johno was good in the second half, a solid debut from Byrne and Boyle had a good game with 3 points. Only thing is his lack of pace.
It got him bottled up a few times and it is our weakness around the middle I think. The one thing that really is encouraging is the competition for places. Paul Kingston didn't have his best game so Cahilane has put his position under serious threat. He got a goal and hit the bar but he's also a left-footed free-taker which might put him ahead. We had O'Carroll missing two from that side in the first half. Nerney did ok at full back, decent back up for Timmons. Seale and Campion did fine. Dillon was moved back for the second half and we have Healy to come back also. Piggot is strong and a tight marker, we should give him a run at centre back. Then where to play Begley?
Maybe midfield, is Meaney still around? Sugrue indicated that he's going to give players a go so we'll see where that leads us. You have to perform to keep your place or claim a place. Training matches must be very competitive. Encouraging signs, very positive but still a lot to work on and figure out. A great way to start the league, next to an empty Croke Park. 

[High Fielder]

There was a significant moment at the start of the second half when Pigott got stuck into their midfielder. I thought it set the tone. He took the yellow and they stopped their funny stuff. I like this lad a lot. We could do with a few more like him. He's not dirty but he's a bit bould and there's nothing wrong with that at all. We upped our physicality from that moment on and didn't look back

[welcomehome]

High fielder..dont no what match u were at..

[High Fielder]

Probably the one you weren't

[haranguerer]

There was a poignant moment at the start of the second half when Pigott got stuck into their midfielder. I thought it set the tone. He took the yellow and they stopped their funny stuff. I like this lad a lot. We could do with a few more like him. He's not dirty but he's a bit bould and there's nothing wrong with that at all. We upped our physicality from that moment on and didn't look back

??

[High Fielder]

Meant significant. Thanks for the spell check. This has been rectified

[Tony]

High fielder..dont no what match u were at..

Not sure what that's about, welcomehome - I thought High Fielder was spot on in his analysis. We should be pleased with our performance and there are huge positives; yet we do have a lot to work on if we want to take things to the next level. Our pace and inexperience in some areas might be an issue, but, again, given where we where just this time last year, we've made huge progress and things look relatively positive. Looking forward to Croke Park, and, in a way it'll be nice to have an early trip up there instead of a home match. Here's the big man himself, John Sugrue, post Down which includes some updates on the panel and injury news :
https://soundcloud.com/midlandssport/john-sugrue-post-down

[Don Draper]

Meant significant. Thanks for the spell check. This has been rectified

I'm sure it was poignant too.

[Tony]

Also, for Laois GAA diehards who can't get enough of the thing, here's a good relatively new "LaoisToday" podcast about the 2019 National Football League. This one is from a couple of days ago with some interesting Laois men and perspectives, including the great Padraig Clancy:
https://soundcloud.com/laoistoday/football-240119

[redsetanta]

Great to score 2 goals yesterday as we have struggled under previous managers to do this. A good battling performance but tougher tests to come. Carlow put up a decent score in Sligo. Westmeath just got over Offaly. Will be a very competitive campaign.

[Don Draper]

Great to score 2 goals yesterday as we have struggled under previous managers to do this. A good battling performance but tougher tests to come. Carlow put up a decent score in Sligo. Westmeath just got over Offaly. Will be a very competitive campaign.

Sligo are shite. Westmeath always struggle with their betters in Offaly.

We'll be a-one.

[Junior Ex Laoistalk]

That was a home game for Carlow and was a horrible game to watch, especially the first half. Carlow are still as defensive as ever and the goal was on OG which came from a 45. Laois should be well able to finish in the top two positions in this group. John Sugrue said he is still working from a panel of 40 so he has lots of options still. Great win up there in what was a very hostile atmosphere and sets us up nicely in the group.

[Don Draper]

Nice to see Sugrue didn't cull the panel as speculated by some on here at the time.

[Nameless]

Great win up there in what was a very hostile atmosphere and sets us up nicely in the group.

It was just like playing away in Galatasaray!  I don't know where you were but that was far from hostile.

[County Man]

Fantastic win in Newry, unreal second half especially.

Big Donie did untold damage in the 2nd half, what a genius. The Portarlington lads all did very well. Everyone tried hard, we were physical.

Lets push on now for round 2 in Croke Park.