The Future for Laois Football

[Jd]

From talking to people over there it seems that soccer is a huge draw for lads with the pitch right in the middle of the town whereas the Gaa is out a bit. The Rock also pull a fair few from town too so when you consider that Portlaoise dont have two clubs then I suppose its understandable that they might struggle a bit

[georgedoylesrightleg]

Was over at the U15 semi final between Na Fianna Og and Mountmellick Parish Gaels over the weekend which Na Fianna Og won by 9 points.

It was my first time at Mountmellick GAA grounds and they have a good set up there with a great clubhouse, second pitch, ball wall etc.

How a town the size of that cannot field their own team is a puzzle to me. They're obviously doing great work there but the lack of underage players should be of huge concern for Laois GAA. They have the schools and the population to be fielding teams.

greater concern is theres bout 7-8 clubs involved in that final. numbers gone to shite that bad in all them clubs?

[redsetanta]

Portlaoise won the U15 A final by 3 points yesterday. Final score 2-05 to 0-08.

Portlaoise probably deserved the win however they got a fortutitous second goal to give them a 6 point lead at half time having played with the wind.

Na Fianna Og outscored them in the second half but having got within a point of Portlaoise couldn't get an equaliser. It always looked like they'd need a goal and their efforts in the second half to get so close took their tole and they ran out of gas.

Some decent players on view on both sides. 

[clonadmad]

Portlaoise won the U15 A final by 3 points yesterday. Final score 2-05 to 0-08.

Portlaoise probably deserved the win however they got a fortutitous second goal to give them a 6 point lead at half time having played with the wind.

Na Fianna Og outscored them in the second half but having got within a point of Portlaoise couldn't get an equaliser. It always looked like they'd need a goal and their efforts in the second half to get so close took their tole and they ran out of gas.

Some decent players on view on both sides.

Portlaoise continuing on with their u13A win from 2 years ago

The key difference was the power of the portlaoise lads with most of their squad all up to the age at u15 whereas na Fianna had a fair few u14s in their team

It makes a big difference in this grade

[redsetanta]

Yeh, I would agree with you, and the size difference was notable with some of the match ups. Much smaller crop of young fella's to pick from for Na Fianna even though it's 3 clubs.
They gave it a right go in fairness to them.

[Butch Cassidy]

I read yesterday there's only 2 Laois lads playing Sigerson this year, Byron and Galvin. Bad return considering the number from other counties like Offaly playing. Sigerson is a very high standard and you'd hope more of our lads would get exposure to it. We need to keep improving our underage teams and hope the increase in GPO will lead to this

[High Fielder]

Are there many in college not playing Butch? You'd expect if they were, they'd be involved

[clonadmad]

I read yesterday there's only 2 Laois lads playing Sigerson this year, Byron and Galvin. Bad return considering the number from other counties like Offaly playing. Sigerson is a very high standard and you'd hope more of our lads would get exposure to it. We need to keep improving our underage teams and hope the increase in GPO will lead to this

Both Laois lads with Carlow and O'Flynn from Courtwood with NUIG.

Louth have 5 lads involved
Waterford 3
Fermanagh3
Limerick 3
Leitrim 5
Carlow 7
Offaly 6

[Jd]

Rioghan murphy probably would be but hes on a basketball scholarship with UL so isn't allowed play football

[Dave like the tv channel]

Laois football not in good condition. As long as we persist with 16 "senior" teams, we're only kidding ourselves.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating and we see it in Sigerson Cup squads now. Hardly any Laois footballers in a vastly expanded competition.

Our clubs are barely winning a round in Leinster competitions any more. Did Wexford reset their championships? Suddenly, they're in Leinster finals now?!?

As long as we continue with this deluded horsesh!te, we'll never improve. We need to go to all eights all the way down to whatever level of Junior we have to. If it needs to be tweaked in a few years, then do it, but for God's sakes, it needs to be fixed now.

[High Fielder]

It would make our Intermediate and Junior grades more competitive, and it makes no sense to have 16 senior and 8 intermediate teams; particularly when the standard is so bad. I doubt it would help to increase the overall standard though, because we're clearly not competing, and unable to compete (physically, financially, operationally, skilfully etc etc) with other counties. We're miles behind.

[Jd]

While I'd love  agree with a reduction in senior numbers i have to disagree with some other points. With regards to sigerson there are at least 4 lads currently  in on the senior panel of college age who would be good enough for sigerson but have opted for trades or jobs.  Perhaps theres more its just what lads are choosing. The physical point is debatable as the squad is very well balanced size wise and theres an S+C pathway in place now for players who have been identified  from underage squads with potential for senior . Financially the Co  is good and from what I have seen theyre not being tight with teams. Senior footballers and hurlers have everything they could possibly need. Dont forget that the COE is a massive bonus to have too. Its going to take a bit of time but the current administration is still in its first year and already big changes are happening. Just my opinion. Things not great but not as bad as some think either. Realistically we're probably a mid tier county in football and upper to mid tier hurling  county with a good team coming through every few years

[High Fielder]

An optimistic post JD and we need a bit of that. I probably disagree with pretty much everything you wrote, but I hope you're proved right

[Butch Cassidy]

How many clubs have GPO now? Are more planned in 2023 does anyone know?

[clonadmad]

How many clubs have GPO now? Are more planned in 2023 does anyone know?

Any club that put in for a GPO or partial GPO access got one,I can't remember the exact number of clubs but it's around 10

The other 37/38 clubs in the county either don't have the financial wherewithal,prioritise paying senior managers over juvenile development or think their juvenile coach's and structures are up to scratch.