Messages

1. Finian Cuddy (Trumera)
2. Jack Phelan (Camross)
3. Aodh Bowes (Rosenallis)
4. Lochlainn Conway (Clough-Ballacolla)
5. Philip Tynan (Borris-Kilcotton)
6. Aaron Phelan (Castletown)
7. Lawson Obular (Abbeyleix)
8. Padraig Brennan (Clough-Ballacolla)
9. Cathal Murphy (The Harps)
10. Diarmuid Dooley (Rosenallis)
11. David Dooley (Rosenallis)
12. Tom Fennelly (Rosenallis)
13. Noah Quinlan (Borris-Kilcotton)
14. Cillian Dunne (Clough-Ballacolla)
15. Cody Comerford (The Harps)

Very strong defence with a nice mix of power and pace.
Aaron Phelan is a really good centre-back and though Aodh Bowes would probably prefer to play there too; he has the physicality to be an excellent full-back.
Conway and Phelan are front-foot defenders with loads of pace and Philip Tynan is a very solid all-rounder.
Where Lawson Obular was picked was always going to be interesting, he's a fabulous prospect and I'd have been tempted to go with him at full-forward. I think, however, he sees himself as a defender and his surges forward could be eye-catching.

Really good midfield; both Murphy and Brennan are strong, athletic and can score from range. Brennan is probably a defender moreso than a midfielder but he is a classy hurler and a fine choice of captain. I really like that midfield actually.

Noah Quinlan named at corner-forward is also interesting; he's very-highly rated in Borris/Kilcotton and could play in any position. I actually thought he'd start midfield. He'll carry a massive threat if he plays in the full-forward line. Cillian Dunne will thrive on good ball and is an excellent free-taker. Diarmuid Dooley is one of the most improved hurlers around and his athleticism is a real asset. His older brother David is a natural centre-forward and will be a real goal threat with his direct running. Tom Fennelly is very athletic and strong; he'll cover a lot of ground and his delivery should be very good. Cody Comerford is another really versatile hurler with huge potential.

I think 10 of the team were on the panel at some stage last year with Comerford, Diarmaid Dooley and Phelan the only three starters underage next year, though I'm open to correction on that.

Jim O' Connor and Joe Corby are two losses but we still have really good options with DJ White, Cian Conroy, Padraig Rafter, Barry Fitzpatrick, Brian Duggan, Colin Byrne, Greg Cuddy and Sam Quinn surely very close.

Offaly reckon they have a very strong team and will relish coming in against a Derek McGrath-coached Laois team with a bit of a reputation. They'll be very competitive and if Laois are anyway complacent, they will take us.

There is also a small cohort around our own county that seem resentful of this management group so there is a degree of pressure on them to perform.
I hope they will.

Best of luck to everyone involved.

Is Mullaney out or just not making your team Merman? Surely ahead of McEvoy (and has the power & size)?

I know they had a tough run of it but I thought Mullaney struggled with Castletown.
He's a brilliant hurler but I think he's the type that needs a run of consistent training/matches to get himself fit.

Kavanagh was doing some light drills last sunday albeit heavily strapped. Ciaran mcevoy is flying it in training apparently. Picky maher was also outstanding in the internal training game along with Ciaran comerford.

Completely forgot about Ciaran McEvoy. I don't think he is necessarily a better hurler than any of the defenders I mentioned but he has size and power which will be needed against Dublin, especially at the end of October.

Roddy is an excellent free-taker.
I think he hit every free against Clough/Ballacolla in the 1st round.

He missed a couple against BK but he has the technique and temperament. I also don't think we have an alternative on the panel. I don't think Picky is as accomplished and neither PJ Scully nor Cha Dwyer are involved to the best of my knowledge.

Dublin game confirmed for Croke Park. I'll make a stab at predicting a team based off who I think is in training and who I thought showed well during the club championship.

1. E Rowland - Obvious choice. Captain.
2. D Hartnett - Admittedly, I didn't see him hurl this year but he's a class act.
3. M Whelan - Still a crucial member of our defence.
4. D Conway - Most improved hurler in Laois.
5. J Kelly - Don't think he was at his best for RE but has credit in the bank.
6. P Delaney - Matthew's heir apparent.
7. L Cleere - Another good year having recovered from illness.
8. J Lennon - Class act.
9. S Downey - Great athleticism and power. Good to have him back.
10. P Purcell - Crucial to our hopes.
11. R King - I think he's the man to fill Mark Kavanagh's #11 shirt.
12. C Stapleton - Has had a great year with BK.
13. W Dunphy - Great year last year and has looked sharp this.
14. S Maher - Looks to have his confidence back.
15. A Duphy - Probably my favourite Laois attacker.

F Fennell, R Mullaney, B Conroy, R Broderick, M Dowling, E Killeen and J Ryan all look like really good options and could easily start also.

I've heard conflicting reports that a couple of players have agreed to rejoin the Laois panel.
Does anyone have any clarity?

Just watched the highlights of the BK v RE game. PJ Scully was on fire. CAn anyone explain why PJ has struggled when playing for Laois because in the club scene he is one of the best.

I think he might have suffered with playing with a sweeper. He is an exceptional forward but physicality can be an issue at inter-county level and when our forwards are outnumbered, it's often players like him who are squeezed out.

I'd love to see him back in though. He clearly has a lot to offer.

Saturday week at 7pm I believe. Wonder will it be on tv? I think one of the local media outlets jumped the gun slightly and thought it was coming forward a week rather than just a day.
I'm not really sure why one of the two biggest games in our GAA calendar is being played on a Saturday evening rather than a Sunday afternoon.

Impressed with Clough/Ballacolla. I didn't really agree with the commentators who felt the score-line flattered them; they missed a couple of frees, hit a few wides and spurned at least 3 goal chances. I like Rosenallis and they've been a great story but I felt CB kept them at arms-length and apart from a 10 minute spell in the first half, looked a level above.
Picky Maher is getting all the plaudits but I thought Aidan Corby (well-called Keyser) was exceptional. He covered a serious amount of ground and gets on an awful lot of ball. I thought he was wasteful against RE but he has improved steadily since and provides a good foil for the more disciplined Willie Hyland beside him. Their defence has improved with the addition of Diarmuid Conway and Brian Corby. Both lads have speed and hurl with confidence and crucially, they hurl from the front. Their speed coupled with county panelists Cleere and Broderick mean that Darren Maher and Michael McEvoy are protected and provide a very physical spine. I thought Cathal Dunne was excellent in the goal and he has improved them very quickly. He might just be the heir apparent to Enda Rowland.
Up front, they have a nice mix of finishers and work-horses. Robbie Phelan hurls very deep but gets forward to good effect. They don't bring their other half-forwards as deep but they compete physically in that half line. Inside, John Dwyer started very well but I think we saw his limitations. No other team had a forward as capable as Stephen Bergin to call on and he'll push very hard to start the final. BK have shown they can shackle Picky and Willie Dunphy before; CB need both to fire, one won't be enough.

I've had a good feeling about BK from the start. They are a complete hurling team and their forwards, midfielders and even a couple of their defenders can interchange and pop up in different positions with ease. They are relentless and their energy levels were really good on Sunday. They can hurt you in different ways because if you drop off them, they will score from range. If you push up on them; they will fire the ball into space and have the forwards to hurt you.
I thought Stephen Dunphy was really impressive and Paddy Whelan and Stephen Finan are excellent club-defenders.
I actually think five of their forwards are of inter-county standard and (Rosenallis aside) they look a little fitter and more athletic than the rest of the teams.
RE were severely blunted without Kavanagh and McCane. They have honest workers in the likes of Dollard, Darren King and Ryan but they didn't carry the same potency. BK were able to get their match-ups right and were able to create much more threat at the other end. RE have limitations after their first 15 and though I think they'll win an Intermediate Championship, I'm not sure they have the depth to replace a couple of ageing players.


A week and a half out, I am still inclined to back BK. I think we know how they will perform and there are more question-marks around CB. The bookies have BK favourites and I think that's fair.

I stand to be corrected but I think Abbeyleix won with this crop at U12; Clough/Ballacolla at U13, Borris/Kilcotton at U14 and Rathdowney/Errill at U15.
It's been a great grade.

I think Rosenallis might well win it.

Rosenallis have the sticky defenders and legs to frustrate Clough Ballacolla's danger men. If they can avoid a shootout I think they will do it. Verdict Rosenallis by less than 3

If Kavanagh is out that is a colossal blow for RE. He has been flying it in last two games. Neither team impressed v the stronger teams in groups. RE lucky to draw with CB. BK very lucky to beat Camross. Lost to Rosenallis. Either team could kick start their year here with a big performance. Still think RE will sneak it however.

I'll go against you.

I have a sneaky feeling Rosenallis have one more kick in them and I agree that the Clough/Ballacolla forwards won't relish the close attention they will receive but surely CB are forewarned now. It is worth mentioning that BK didn't have to win the last day and without diluting Rosenallis' achievement, it is a different challenge to knock one of the big teams out completely.
I don't see a huge score in Rosenallis against a decent CB defence. If there is a low free count for Rosenallis, I can't see them scoring enough from play. They are excellent in defence and this time last year, BK really frustrated the CB forwards and that won the game. The return of Picky, though, has been a massive boost and I think CB will just about have enough.
CB by 5.

I've had a feeling all year that BK might be the team to beat.
The Ballinakill game aside, they haven't really hit their stride but I expect a big performance on Sunday. Their forwards can be a bit hot and cold but I think they'll be determined to right a few wrongs after a quite insipid performance against RE last year. RE have been the bench-mark over the last decade or so and won't relinquish their crown easily but as Keyser said, the loss of Kavanagh is huge. He's a class act and a threat from play and placed balls whilst also having a great attitude towards hard work. I think his loss could be telling and I'm going to back BK but it'll be very tight and I wouldn't rule out extra time or penalties!

I think Kavanagh is out for the semi-final with only a small chance of being available for a final.
Hopefully will be available for the Dublin game if things heal properly and he doesn't require surgery.

I hadn't realised there were problems between LCB & EB before this?
I disagree with Merman on the point of the club championship not being his concern. I think it should be. The reality is different in most counties I know.

As was said, he has done a really good job, but I have disagreed (from the start) with the degree to which he has maintained his media profile while in the job.

I completely agree with you about his media profile.

A county manager should care about our senior championship, and this year of all years.
But Eddie has been unequivocal about his focus on improving our senior county team. He has been consistent in what he's demanded from his panelists and has got rid of those he felt couldn't make the various standard he demands.
Rightly or wrongly, he cares about preparing the top 30 hurlers in Laois. He cares about playing Dublin in Croke Park and he cares about protecting his own reputation and the chance to enhance it further by trying to improve on last year.

And I actually have no issue with that.
My preference for inter-county manager is generally an internal manager supplemented with the very best coaches we can attract.
I think that guarantees you the right blend of heart, enthusiasm and professionalism.

Failing that, a young ambitious and ruthless outside manager who cares primarily for his own career is a fine alternative. I expect Eddie to step away soon (I hope I'm wrong) but he is now a contender for big jobs in Kilkenny off the back of his success last year. He'll have an eye on succeeding Cody or Shefflin.
If we go outside again, I'd be looking at someone else coming in for 2/3 years determined to take a scalp, move us slightly up the ladder and create a name for himself. Journeymen will get us nowhere because they won't challenge the players or the county board.

Anyway, apologies for going off-topic.
I hope the clubs are afforded the chance to prepare properly for the semi-finals. It's been a poor championship in all honesty and we could do with a couple of decent games to close it out.

A championship that has been played exclusively without floodlights should be concluded the same way.
I've no huge issue with bringing the final forward a week but 5pm on the Saturday or still better, the Sunday afternoon, are far better and fairer options.

I've sympathy for Eddie Brennan though I agree completely with Keyser and Ogie that he was out of order with how I expressed his frustration. Going to the media rather than directly to the County Board isn't a good look but is quite in-keeping with what we have seen from him. He has been an excellent manager for Laois but I think these are his last few weeks as the relationship with the board was poor before this; its irreparable now.
It is unfair that other counties have extra time to prepare. It is unfortunate that Laois was put into lockdown and lost those weekends. I get Eddie's disappointment and it's not his job to care about about our club championships but I fear he's trying to fight a fight he can't win.

I think a compromise should be found to allow clubs prepare properly for the semi-finals and relegation final.
Thereafter, Eddie will have 6/8 Senior and Senior A teams fully available to him. Clubs should be allowed this full weekend to prepare and if there is a desperate need to get the county panel together, maybe a light technical/tactical session on Wednesday could probably be included.
My worry is that the communication between county and club was non-existent and this will lead to frustration and resentment. I think players will walk and I can't blame them or the clubs if compromises aren't offered. Training 3 times a week before a championship semi-final devalues a championship that is very important to those involved.

I have heard that Cha will be available. Has anyone else been invited back in?

Both matches yesterday went to script; RE had far too much for Abbeyleix and though Ballinakill were better, I always felt Camross had the match under reasonable control.

RE vs BK has the makings of a cracking semi-final.
Mark Kavanagh would be a huge loss if his injury is as bad as feared.
I've fancied BK all year but I'm wavering. If Kavanagh is out; it evens it up but if he's fit I think RE might just edge it.  I can see myself changing my mind on this a lot over the next couple of weeks.
Whoever comes through this game will be really galvanised and should start the final as favourites for me.

I've been stung by Rosenallis twice but I reckon third time will be the charm...I think CB will win the semi-final albeit after a battle. I expect it to be close but CB are forewarned and if they have their homework done and their focus/attitude is right, I think they'll make the final. They have improved a lot since 2018 and seem to have injuries clearing up at the right time. They'll really fancy their chances now.

For the relegation match, Ballinakill will be likely favourites and they should have enough. Relegation Finals are horrible games to play in and anything can happen; I think Castletown will deliver a performance but I don't know where their scores will come from.

David Dooley.