Messages

Great Poll missed the voting. There needs to be a couple of ways of developing our Underage Teams. How do the good like Abbeyleix, The Harps & Ballacolla take it to the next level.Put Mountmellick & Mountrath on The Map for too long both towns going years with giving nothing to Laois. I was at a Rathdowney Errill u15 game recently & they barely had 18 players some definitely u13s.Hopefully The big development in Portlaoise will kick things on there. Also what is Shane Keegan & The Hurling & Football development coaches doing for Schools Primary & especially Secondary. Not looking for immediate success at Underage in all clubs but Shanahoe have loads of girls playing football but barely contribute to their alliance with Colt etc. Likewise in football Arles had two amazing teams but are not producing much Underage Why?? I don't have all the answers or want to come across negative but We will get much worse if We don't start improving Underage teams now. As for having a Study on How to improve GAA in Laois what has been done on these Reccomendations from Nickey Brennan etc? Number 1 Reccomendation is another club in Portlaoise, How is that going?

Regarding Mountrath and Mountmellick, Mountrath seem to be consistently playing in the A at underage bit it never seems to materialise at adult and in fairness to Mountmellick they have gone back from being amalgamated at underage apart from minor where Port are put in with them and they won the intermediate championship last year and won their first round of Premier Intermediate championship though there does not seem to be too many standout players that could push on to become senior inter-county hurlers

The GPA seem to be throwing their weight around recently particularly with the skorts row showing the power they hold.
The skorts issue was up before congress last august why didn't they campaign for it then instead of dragging through the dirt the officials who keep the organisation running.
Its great it has been changed now,  but come on how was that fair on the hard working people who were getting abuse.

I would expect Galway to beat Derry handy enough (hope I am wrong but don't think Derry that level these days). Down Louth should be interesting.

I would be surprised if Cavan get the result some expecting.

Would be surprised but it would be great for Cavan, people often forget about them because of all the quality sides in the Ulster Championship.

The three finals in Croke Park tomorrow for the  "weaker counties"

Nickey Rackard Cup final
Mayo v Roscommon, 1pm

Lory Meagher Cup final
Cavan v New York, 3pm

Christy Ring Cup final
Derry v London, 5pm

Great to see them being shown somewhere we need to support hurling in these counties if we want to genuinely increase the number of conpetitive teams at the top

Be a while yet. Still using polystyrene cups and string up there.

Should we go on a pilgrimage up there to introduce this groundbreaking technology to them

Donegal going cold turkey anyone check they're alright up there. Used to wonder why every county didnt have a section this explains alot.

[Is it just we're at our ceiling?]

I totally understand the logic here and it's one that in a perfect world I would love to see. But,  things in Antrim feel complicated at times.

Someone from within has a pride in taking the team that just cannot be matched by a coach from another county. But, have we not seen this film before? Coaches from Antrim have never really had much success for various and complex reasons.

I speculate that the thinking over the years has been to get an outsider from a strong hurling county who has no baggage or club allegiances and will bring knowledge and fresh ideas.

It depends what the vision is short, medium and long term? I have always felt southern coaches are like a sticking plaster and very much a top down approach. It would be nice to see an Antrim man do well at it, however history shows it's very tricky.

Are we at a point where this is just our level regardless of management?

Like I see the work being done at a lot of clubs in North Antrim. Some struggling for numbers but they're putting the wee lads out every other week for a blitz. Those kids are getting a load of hurling and have lads that were good hurlers themselves coaching them.

I know geography has always been mentioned. We're not able to have loads of games against the Tipps, Kilkennys, Limerick, Cork etc as these lads grow up. Is it just we're at our ceiling?

If you wrote everything down there's probably 100 different opinions but the only thing we know is for over 30 years we've barely laid a glove at Liam McCarthy level.

Yes. We are not competing near the A levels at underage and haven't been in years. I don't think realistically we can really expect boys with years playing at that level to come in to senior level and suddenly be competitive. It's the same with the football really.

From Laois myself I think yee would be better of with an antrim manager who will have more pride for the county amd a stronger desire. Davy Fitzgerald is overrated. When Laois had Eddie Brennan everyone thought he was great but as soon as he had got enough and used us to make him look good he left. This year we have Tommy Fitzgerald a Portlaoise man true hurling man with pride and desire to see laois hurling doing well wants to see laois clubs doing well even if it means his own club gets beat no favourites just picked on merit. I think we have a good chance this year of repeating 2019 once we make sure to get a handle on Kildare.

Did Wooly not throw Eddie Brennan under the bus, when after an interview for his podcast he kept recording while Eddie was having a cut of a few Laois county board officials ?

Then Wooly released the entire interview via the socials.

Unsure about that wouldn't be surprised. While some in the county-board may be hard to convince to do something you shouldn't complain on a podcast.
Eddie Brennan got more credit than he was due in 2019 Tommy Fitzgerald was part of the management team and was training the lads, so it is very well possible he can have them on form again.

I agree Rise again. Anyone who read my posts from around four months ago, would know that I was apprehensive about Tommy taking the roll.

But after what Laoisred, honestly and bravely exposed, Tommy and the management team have gone right up in my estimation. And I shall explain why.

Obviously whatever was said was disparagingly false, Secondly more than one or two heard it, so Tommy had to act on it as no single individual is bigger than the team.

If it is the case then Tommy was 100% correct, as no player has the right to apparently insult or abuse his manager, DURING THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME THIS SEASON TO DATE.

Cha is a good little hurler, dogged and tenacious, But he is no Tony Kelly.

I have a good feeling that this could actually bring the team together, as situations like this actually goes in favor of the management,it might make the boys hurl better by having more respect for Tommy. But I shall personally always be very fond of Cha

Exactly honest unbiased look at what happened and can't  say I disagree with anything that you said. While he is a loss there are standards that have to be upheld and when you cross a line you have crossed it and there has to be consequences.
Tommy is a good manager with a true passion for Laois hurling he will use this to drive the lads on to go further than last year and maybe theres just a chance with everything going well we could perhaps do a repeat of going well. Of course the Joe Mcdonagh Cup is the priority but it would prove we are not to be underestimated next year.
Anyway best of luck to the lads.

Didn't have a great year in Joe Mcdonagh Cup but still didn't slip too much to be heading for the Christy Ring Cup beat Kerry and sent them on their way. Obviously wasn't what was to be desired but the main thing is to come back next year and will be in division 1b for league after toppling Kildare to win division 2 who have shown that there is merit in beating now that they've made it to the Joe Mcdonagh Cup Final after a few unexpected wins and not that they didn't deserve it just no one gave them a chance.

how ya, local club are trying to get floodlights installed but are tryin to find out the best measures for the funds available.we are a hurling team so height would need to be different as for football ones. any answers welcome to the following-

recommended height
the floodlight make
amount of floodlights per pole
cost of poles
etc

thanks

What size is the pitxh these are going on pitch sizes can range from a minimum of 80m by 130m to a maximum of 90m by 145m

We're 145 metres long and 88 metres wide.

Pretty close to the max then want to ensure to have proper coverage but if it comes to the worst and the lights aren't angled right or the poles arent tall enough they can be adjusted I know my local club added extensions onto their poles when they were upgrading their floodlights.
I know some clubs used electric skyline and seamus byrne electrical but there are many companies that do them and you will want to tender them against each other to see who offers the best service and can provide it for the best price.
Musco got the contract for croke park and a few county grounds aswell as some soccer pitches so they must be good quality. Also Shay Byrne Electrical did them in Laois centre of excellence when they upgraded them to be more energy efficient.
Anyways best of luck with your development.

Is it at all possible if you could elaborate a little Laoisred, as your being slightly vague. I didn't blame you one bit if you want to leave it at that, but what I am reading into your comment, is that he was angry at being hauled off ( Which was obviously the correct call) and said some rather inappropriate remarks to the management team.

Yes he will be a loss, but thank God we have at least three good hurlers that would slot into that position.

Laoighis Abu

Yes while its unfortunate it also gives someone else a chance who could prove themselves to be every bit as good or maybe even better.
Of course Cha is a loss its a pity to lose any player unnecessarily.
Not sure exactly what happened would appreciate if someone elaborated but thats up to them.
Tommy is a good manager and part of that is managing people which can be very difficult at times especially when in the thick of a situation where it was do or die against Carlow.

Any news on the likes of Mark Barry and Padraig Kirwans injuries or if they'll be in from the start against the BIFOS.

If Barry is unavailable would be good to get a look at Cian Ryle as I saw him on the bench the other day. Might be worth a few minutes.

If there is truth in young Hosey from Emo being in there training he would be worth a run from the bench also. A fine player with his club when fully fit.

Cian ryle seems like a good up and coming player from Kilcavan who while were on the subject might cause an upset in the intermediate championship. Cian Ryle is well able to score and might be worth giving him a chance.
Didn't hear anything about hosey myself so unsure.
Does the match have to be in a neutral venue i presume when it's in Kildare

how ya, local club are trying to get floodlights installed but are tryin to find out the best measures for the funds available.we are a hurling team so height would need to be different as for football ones. any answers welcome to the following-

recommended height
the floodlight make
amount of floodlights per pole
cost of poles
etc

thanks

What size is the pitxh these are going on pitch sizes can range from a minimum of 80m by 130m to a maximum of 90m by 145m

tuggy and queenie  - someone's having a laugh!

i still think DFitz might stay on for another year - a wee inkling. not sure how much say or knowledge he had of the players out there but certainly think he got sold a pup or two with some of the players recommended by his backroom team.

wrt O'Connor he messed up, move on!



 

This season is over now the main thing is to pick yourselves back up and go again and come straight back up next year.

[Is it just we're at our ceiling?]

I totally understand the logic here and it's one that in a perfect world I would love to see. But,  things in Antrim feel complicated at times.

Someone from within has a pride in taking the team that just cannot be matched by a coach from another county. But, have we not seen this film before? Coaches from Antrim have never really had much success for various and complex reasons.

I speculate that the thinking over the years has been to get an outsider from a strong hurling county who has no baggage or club allegiances and will bring knowledge and fresh ideas.

It depends what the vision is short, medium and long term? I have always felt southern coaches are like a sticking plaster and very much a top down approach. It would be nice to see an Antrim man do well at it, however history shows it's very tricky.

Are we at a point where this is just our level regardless of management?

Like I see the work being done at a lot of clubs in North Antrim. Some struggling for numbers but they're putting the wee lads out every other week for a blitz. Those kids are getting a load of hurling and have lads that were good hurlers themselves coaching them.

I know geography has always been mentioned. We're not able to have loads of games against the Tipps, Kilkennys, Limerick, Cork etc as these lads grow up. Is it just we're at our ceiling?

If you wrote everything down there's probably 100 different opinions but the only thing we know is for over 30 years we've barely laid a glove at Liam McCarthy level.

Yes. We are not competing near the A levels at underage and haven't been in years. I don't think realistically we can really expect boys with years playing at that level to come in to senior level and suddenly be competitive. It's the same with the football really.

From Laois myself I think yee would be better of with an antrim manager who will have more pride for the county amd a stronger desire. Davy Fitzgerald is overrated. When Laois had Eddie Brennan everyone thought he was great but as soon as he had got enough and used us to make him look good he left. This year we have Tommy Fitzgerald a Portlaoise man true hurling man with pride and desire to see laois hurling doing well wants to see laois clubs doing well even if it means his own club gets beat no favourites just picked on merit. I think we have a good chance this year of repeating 2019 once we make sure to get a handle on Kildare.