Messages

Actually, the importance of this win cannot be overstated. Going into the championship on a loss would be a serious downer, but a win will give them a bit of a fillip. Hopefully some of the injuries will be cleared up, and they can prepare will a full squad. Well done to them all.

Didn't Robert Jones from Kilcotton play for the minor footballers one year they won the all-Ireland? 2003, was it?

Must be the first time there's someone from the 'other side' of the county on a Laoise team.

Or, at least, the first time in quite a while...

I hope you're right, Keyser, but I think staying as we are would be a massive achievement. Whatever about beating Westmeath (not a given, without Willie, and Zane), I just can't see them beating Offaly or Kerry in the Leinster championship. I think the drop has been remarkable, and this thing of having lost a load to retirements doesn't hold water. John A and Joe Fitz would've been the only ones starting, as far as I could see. Or perhaps it's the old thing of only being able to play in O'Moore Park - which, again, doesn't bode well for the weekend.

Oh dear, oh dear. They really, really should have won that. A bucket load of chances at the end came to nought, most of them wide from Cha's stick. However, am I right in saying that if Laoise had won they'd be playing Wexford in the relegation match? As it is, they have a buoyant Kerry - presumably in Kerry.
Anyway, a great response to last week's drubbing. I liked Ryan Mulllaney at full-back, in what was generally a good full-back line, and Matthew W. returned to the centre back position, to good effect. Better form Willie Hyland, and Stephen Maher, too. Scully had a few good points, but also a couple of fumbles. I think Enda Rowland has firmly cemented his position after today's display, too.
So, hopefully they'll be encouraged and not deflated by that result. When's the play-off? A fortnight?
No sign of Neil Foyle?

Was Keenan not in Limerick?

Well, it wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it was probably a case of Leix dragging Clare down to their level a bit. It'd be easier to pick out the lads who were a bit 'off' (Cha, Picky, Zane) than those who in outstandingly good form, though Healy did fairly well, Whelan looked  somewhat more comfortable, and Joe Phelan had his moments. Scully showed some nice touches when he came on, but his decision making let him down at times. Also, a lot of wides from Laoise made sure it never got really interesting, but they did work hard and showed a bit of fight for a while in the second half.
Still and all, I'd rather an eight point loss to Clare than an eight point loss to Kerry, even if Clare weren't at full tilt.
By the way, anyone know why wasn't Darren Maher playing?

Zzzzzz...

Pauric Maher???

Yeah, the wing back. Wasn't it him pulled off that high tackle around the head on TJ Reid? Sorry if I got the name wrong?!

Ha ha! I see - you're joking! Laoise wish they had Pauric Maher, and Offaly would love to have TJ Reid!!

Pauric Maher???

A Lose that, and I think it'll be another play-off w/ the winners of 2A - is that right? Not looking too good, I'm afraid.

Yeah there are plenty of trap doors to avoid relegation. Two more shots at it. One v Offaly/Kerry and one v Antrim/Westmeath. Nearly harder to get out of 1B than get into it.

God, I'd say Leix could find a way...

Actually, they were moving quite well until Offaly went down to 14 men, and after that the Biffos seemed to step it up a bit. Laoise couldn't cope when their big strong men ran at them, and they didn't seem as able to break through the tackle as easily Offaly, thus often getting done for over-carrying. I know you're always losing when you're giving out about the ref., but he did seem to give Offaly the benefit more often.
Good displays from Ross King, Darren Maher, and Leigh Bergin, and better from Picky. Willie got one of his trademark points when he came on, but really, it is very disappointing not to have won this. They seemed the better team in the first half, and went in only three down with a strong wind to come. Not to be able to capitalise on that - and an extra man - is criminal. They'll certainly be in a relegation play-off now, and I'd fancy that to be a return game against Offaly. Lose that, and I think it'll be another play-off w/ the winners of 2A - is that right? Not looking too good, I'm afraid.

Keyser, I believe King was injured playing for UCD last week. Is that right? So, he'd be out for the Offaly game, anyway. Cha will also be out for that w/ his red card. A real shame, that,  as himself, Healy and Foyle were the only ones really taking the fight to Kerry.
Not sure Rowland wasn't a bit slow out for the Kerry goal - but then Reilly comes out too much at times...
I don't think there's any use getting rid of the manager now, but there'd need to be a bit of a step up for him to be at the helm next year.

Sums it up well enough.
Hyland and Keenan can't be back soon enough.

I see he's starting half-back against Kerry, which surprised me a bit. No Keenan or Hyland yet, either, and Foyle in his new centre-back place. Cha at full forward, though I'd imagine he'll drift out a bit. It's a very young team - I just hope they can click for Kerry. It'll be close enough, I fear.