SHC 2026

[G@@]

Sorry to be writing all cryptic, but think of why that might have to be done.

I don't think it's one bit fair to be bringing up off-field issues here, albeit in cryptic. What is happening is very unfortunate and best left for things to take their own course.

[Laois man]

Harps will find it hard to win the final again camross. Camross will be happier bplaying harps than Cbolla.

[Laoisred]

The Harps have done well this year but they have to finish the job now. I think they have too many coming through to fall away now in the coming years like Abbeyleix did after getting to a final. Camross were awful in the 2025 Final and will be keen to make amends. Has the makings of a right good match.
People are quick to write on the demise of teams and clubs. RE mentioned a few times above as well as BK. As far as I'm aware only RE, Camross, CB have stayed in the top level in the past 20 years. They have never gone down, that stands for something. Look at the data not peoples perception or huncches. RE went to the final in 24, topped the league in 25 (didnt win it), topped the championship group in 25 (beaten semi) and finished 5th of the 10 teams in this years championship, after a very poor year. They weren't near relegation let alone going down. With a couple of lads back, a fresh set up they can be top 4 again like last year. I know the underage section are competing at B level etc but they are working hard at it. They might not have the same numbers of players coming through as others clubs but they will be competitive again next year. Maybe they are maximising the small numbers of top players coming through and staying completitive while other clubs have been wasting their resources in the last 20 years.
CB will be next to be wriiten off.

[Leixhurlingman]

We got the most entertaining 30 minutes of Laois hurling championship yesterday for the Harps v CB 2nd half.
Delaney in the corner is some finisher. 3-1 from play and didn't strike a wide from memory. He had the luxury of going slightly under the radar (most teams focus on the 2 Duggans) which always gives another forward an opportunity to strike but not many will do it better. Ciaran Comerford was a leader up top, Podge Delaney in fairness was top class. You can't beat a physical #6. Podge Dunne was a terrier on Picky and rightly acknowledged his role on clubber sacrificing his game to allow his teammates perform. Super performance and out scored Picky from play.

CB stumbled through the championship and only hit form for the final 30 minutes, and they very nearly done it! But overall, they will be very disappointed to have left it so late to respond. Picky & Cillian Dunne really brought the fight to the harps. But I think most are happy with fresh blood breaking through. The Harps will be around for a few years. Their best players are either in their prime or yet to hit it. Great to see a Laois stalwart in Boggy getting a county final day out.

Interesting to read the comments on RE & BK. I know RE had an unhappy camp this year. They are certainly falling down the pecking order but if they had a full best team available with a Ken Hogan type manager I think they would be a problem for sure. But their team is the opposite of the harps, with their key players past their prime and their youth nowhere near the quality of the Harps. BK very similar to RE. BK didn't have the same quality of RE over the last 15 years. While they might feel they underachieved, they will be glad of the 1 county title they won. How hard they are to win.

Camross with a relatively routine victory over Rosenallis. Although Rosenallis can be proud of their campaign. Very solid and as I mentioned before, Johno is a future Laois hurling (or even football) manager.

Re the final - Is Mark Dowling out? Podge Dunne to track Mossy which is borderline impossible unless they cut out the quality supply of ball into him. Very interesting battles all over the park. Boldy - I fancy the Harps to win, they got over that semi final hurdle they struggled for so many years. Ken Hogan is a winner and I believe the players really bought into him this year, Brian Carroll also. They have the quality, obviously Camross for them will be daunting but its not a superb Camross team.

Should be a cracker and a close game either way

[Verbal]

Yes, a very interesting few years ahead.
Camross are going nowhere.
Clough Ballacolla will definitely remain competitive. But they might not maintain current levels.
Willie Dunphy and Picky have huge mileage on the clock. They were bordering on ineffective yesterday, but were well handled in fairness.

It is hard to see The Harps, not being there or thereabouts for the next 10 years. They have quality all over, and a great age profile.

Rathdowney Errill is an interesting one. They, in theory shouldn't be able to maintain the standards of the last 20 years. They simply don't have players coming of the quality of those going.

Borris Kilcotton are in a similar situation, although I think the drop off is slightly less. There a number of very talented 20-30 year olds there too.

Ballinakill always seem to come up with ways to find players and rejuvenate. It's going to get harder.  Cha will be a huge loss in the coming years. 

Rosenallis have peaked too I think. They keep coming back, year on year. But a final win is beyond them.

I don't know what to make of Castletown. Lots of talent and a good age profile, but really struggled the other night.
Is the discipline there to prepare as Clough Ballacolla and Camross do?

Abbeyleix might come again - loads of hurlers and will have the odd good year (semi or final)

Portlaoise - I don't know enough about at all. They pull lads out every year that I know nothing about! Not just the transfers in- their own players too.

[Border Rail 26]

Im not trying to kick them when there down but im not sure theres another big push in ballacolla. They have had a brill few years but they havent had big injuries or lads in australia etc and there panel looked short yesterday with maher and pearson injured. They arent really a factor at underage grades from what i can see which isnt like them as they always had players on minor and Under 21 teams in the past and were always up there with the bigger teams even with smaller numbers.

They are still always dangerous on any day but if teams can match them with physical hurling and work rate then id wonder if they have the young forwards to really challenge the Harps and camross.
And i know they could have even won yesterday but it would have been against the form on the day if they had snook over the line.

Camross will bring a diff challenge to The Harps and they might try be physical and try to lay down markers but i have a feeling Ken hogan and brain Carroll will have the Harps ready for a historic moment for the club.

[G@@]

Yes, a very interesting few years ahead.
Camross are going nowhere.
Clough Ballacolla will definitely remain competitive. But they might not maintain current levels.
Willie Dunphy and Picky have huge mileage on the clock. They were bordering on ineffective yesterday, but were well handled in fairness.

It is hard to see The Harps, not being there or thereabouts for the next 10 years. They have quality all over, and a great age profile.

Rathdowney Errill is an interesting one. They, in theory shouldn't be able to maintain the standards of the last 20 years. They simply don't have players coming of the quality of those going.

Borris Kilcotton are in a similar situation, although I think the drop off is slightly less. There a number of very talented 20-30 year olds there too.

Ballinakill always seem to come up with ways to find players and rejuvenate. It's going to get harder.  Cha will be a huge loss in the coming years. 

Rosenallis have peaked too I think. They keep coming back, year on year. But a final win is beyond them.

I don't know what to make of Castletown. Lots of talent and a good age profile, but really struggled the other night.
Is the discipline there to prepare as Clough Ballacolla and Camross do?

Abbeyleix might come again - loads of hurlers and will have the odd good year (semi or final)

Portlaoise - I don't know enough about at all. They pull lads out every year that I know nothing about! Not just the transfers in- their own players too.

Good points raised, however 'Camross are going nowhere' is curious - what do you mean? As in they'll continue to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the championship or they have peaked and are going to decline? Presume you mean the former.

What way do you see the county final going?

[Verbal]

Ha ha very good spot.

"Going nowhere" = will be around for the foreseeable
As opposed to "at nothing"
I can see the confusion!

I think The Harps will win it.
There's no reason they can't get match ups to cover the Camross dangermen.
What Camross brought on the last day wouldn't turn many games at this stage of a championship.

The Harps I'd go for at the moment anyways.

[Laois Rising]

The Harps are riding the crest of a wave at the moment. CB are not the force of a few years back and The Harps hit them with absolutely everything they had and got their due rewards. I wouldn't be surprise if the next few years wie see a right rivalry develop between the Harps and Camross to be top dogs in Laois. This could be the first of few big contests between the teams that we'll get to enjoy at the business end of the season over the next few years.

CB I feel will continue to slip and cannot see any other club make significant strides in the next couple of years to be considered serious title contenders.

My prediction for the final is whatever Verbal says. Impressive predictions all through championship. He hasn't gone too far wrong all championship and don't see him getting this one wrong either!!!