Starts tomorrow night with Ballyroan Abbey v The Heath.
BA should win this.
Port v O'Dempsey's is hard to call. I think O'D's to edge it.
Clonaslee could pull off a shock against a very understrength Emo.
Strad to beat Rosenallis comfortably enough.
Killeen to edge Ballyfin.
Joseph's to beat Graigue by around 5.
Portlaoise could beat Ballylinan by maybe 10.
Killeshin v Courtwood - Killeshin with Roche and Lowry back might edge this.
I agree with most of them calls but I reckon port will beat o Dempseys,I think emo will beat clonaslee and the form courtwood are in at the moment I think they will beat Killeshin comfortably
Anyone catch any of the games?
I saw Port and O'Dempseys and it wasn't a great game. Port are gone back a good bit but so are O'Dempseys.
Big Dan McCormack was a real threat but wasn't used enough by his teammates.
Don't think either of them will be winning it this year.
Also saw Rosenallis and Stradbally last night. Very impressive from Rosenallis. Have brought through some good young lads like Friel, Hyland and Claffey(?). It had got a bit stale for them over the past year or two. But combining the hurling and football will always be a bit of a tall order.
As for Stradbally, it was so disappointing. Never got going. Plenty of new young lads too but it didn't click for them last night.
I still think they could make a quarter-final if they sort out a few issues.
I know the opposition was questionable but I can't see anyone stopping Portlaoise this year . Aidan Fennelly has them flying and they still have a couple of lads like Swayne to return . Mahoney the Tipp lad is a nice addition . Maka and Larkin is a very strong midfield and Lillis in at full forward is giving them a focal point which they haven't had in a while . Pace wise and physically they look a level above the rest
I certainly wouldn't be making predictions on the basis of Portlaoise hammering Ballylinan.
Lads who are best placed to challenge Portlaois down there this year?
I saw the Graiguecullen v St Josephs game last friday night, it was a very even game all through. Joseph's lost two lads early on through injury, Dylan Doyle after 10 mins and Cooney the goalie five minutes later. Josh O'Brien replaced Doyle and played very well. Graigue started slow, Joes went ahead but Graigue leveled it and it was 0-5 each at half time.
Josephs looked like they meant business and scored two quick points but graigue fought hard and dominated most of the second half. They created a few good goal chances but were narrowly wide with both of them. Scully in the graigue goals pulled off two good saves and they were level at full time. Then Brian Byrne found a bit of space 40 yards out and kicked a great point to win it for Graiguecullen. Eoghan O'Flaherty had a chance to level it from a free but drove it wide but overall Graiguecullen deserved it with great performances from Aaron Dorgan, Ben Dorgan and Daniel O'Reilly.
Graiguecullen will now face 2022 champions Portarlington in the 2nd round, tough draw for them after playing the 2023 champions in the first round. If they're going to win it they will certainly have to do it the hard way.
LAOIS SFC ROUND 2 WINNERS GROUP
Arles-Killeen v Courtwood
Ballyroan-Abbey v Rosenallis
Portlaoise v Emo
Graiguecullen v Portarlington
LAOIS SFC ROUND 2 LOSERS GROUP
Killeshin v Ballyfin
Clonaslee-St Manman's v Stradbally
St Joseph's v Ballylinan
O'Dempsey's v The Heath
Quote from: redsetanta on July 29, 2024, 05:34:26 PMI certainly wouldn't be making predictions on the basis of Portlaoise hammering Ballylinan.
definitely, wait till after the emo match but its good to see them kicking the ball more than previous years. possibly still lacking a scoring forward
Good display from Clonaslee last night to be fair to them but my God, that was one of the worst Stradbally teams I've ever seen.
One thing you'd always get with Stradbally was a bit of cuteness that often helped them beat better teams but they were completely off the pace last night and had no real leaders apart from possibly young Deegan in midfield.
Clonaslee's half back line were all excellent and Corbet and Lee ran the show up front. Big full back was very good too - either Dunne or Owens, not sure.
The argument for a slimmed down championship has never been stronger IMO. Some very one sided results so far. Throw into the mix walkovers from the hurling clubs in the Junior and the general poor standard of the Intermediate and I think it's a necessity really at this stage. I'm not sure the likes of Ballyfin or Ballylinan on current viewing would even compete with Crettyard or Mountmellick a drop below them.
On a more optimistic note, while the quality might not be there at times, this nonetheless is possibly the most open championship at the top end we've had in a long time. Graiguecullen, Portlaoise, Portarlington, Ballyroan and St Joseph's must all be fancying their chances. I'd have given Emo a fair chance too if they'd had a full complement including Greene, Kirwan etc available. I find it very tough to call a winner at this stage.
What happened with the draw?
What's the story with Ballylinan?
Winners of Intermediate last year and hammered in both games in the senior this year.
If that doesn't enforce the opinion that the senior championship should be reduced in size what does?
poor ballylinen, lost half team abroad n injuries n lost mananger. can happen.
Quote from: Countyminor on August 11, 2024, 08:25:51 PMThe argument for a slimmed down championship has never been stronger IMO. Some very one sided results so far. Throw into the mix walkovers from the hurling clubs in the Junior and the general poor standard of the Intermediate and I think it's a necessity really at this stage. I'm not sure the likes of Ballyfin or Ballylinan on current viewing would even compete with Crettyard or Mountmellick a drop below them.
On a more optimistic note, while the quality might not be there at times, this nonetheless is possibly the most open championship at the top end we've had in a long time. Graiguecullen, Portlaoise, Portarlington, Ballyroan and St Joseph's must all be fancying their chances. I'd have given Emo a fair chance too if they'd had a full complement including Greene, Kirwan etc available. I find it very tough to call a winner at this stage.
The county board are already are considering trying to slowly introduce the idea by the way they introduced the senior b cup for the lower teams definitely need to reduce number of senior teams
Zach will be back for the Town this year, this changes things, surely the favourites to win it now
Zach plus a few nice transfers into the club hard to beat that.
Like all the other clubs that got transfers in!!!!
And nothing the county board can do about it 🤣🤣🤣
what other clubs got transfers in ??
Stradbally got a lad from Kerry, Dineen I think his name is
Arles Killeen have got a few in the last few years as have Graiguecullen
Killeshin - Roche
Joseph's- O Flaherty
Will I go on?
Emo's goalie.
Courtwood Collins ugochuku
Killeen Gaughan and Donoghue
Graigue 3 or 4 Carlow lads
BA Niall Walsh
Nothing spectacular in the senior games at the weekend. A couple of big wins.
Will Killeshin upset Graigue in the next round?
Quote from: redsetanta on September 02, 2024, 04:10:44 PMNothing spectacular in the senior games at the weekend. A couple of big wins.
Will Killeshin upset Graigue in the next round?
Hard to call,if i was a betting man portlaois would be the only team I'd back. The 5 week break could have a big impact on the 4 teams the went straight to the quarter finals. It will be good weekend of football.
Think Joe's vulnerable without Dempsey and Murphy but might edge the Town.
O'Dempseys and Graigue will win easily.
Port v B Abbey could be close. Very hard to call so I won't!
Quote from: SCFC on September 04, 2024, 09:09:37 AMThink Joe's vulnerable without Dempsey and Murphy but might edge the Town.
O'Dempseys and Graigue will win easily.
Port v B Abbey could be close. Very hard to call so I won't!
Is Dempsey injured??
Quote from: Junior Ex Laoistalk on September 06, 2024, 06:46:29 PMQuote from: SCFC on September 04, 2024, 09:09:37 AMThink Joe's vulnerable without Dempsey and Murphy but might edge the Town.
O'Dempseys and Graigue will win easily.
Port v B Abbey could be close. Very hard to call so I won't!
Is Dempsey injured??
Both of them out for year with ACL injuries I believe.
Some win for the Town last night. That was the best they've played since around 2015 in my book. To go from scoring 6 points in a county final to rattling in 5-15 in a space of 11 months against the same opposition is just incredible. Rewarded handsomely for having a go.
Would personally also love to see Benny Carroll back in a Laois jersey, such a clever player who would make any team click. Presume he hasn't come in off his own accord which I have no issue with but I imagine there's a place for him there if he wants it.
Big win for Portlaoise alright.
When are the semi finals on?
Now that all the football championship in junior,intermediate,and senior is coming near the end, is there any players who are standing out so far and putting their hands up for the senior team this coming season. ?
Anyone know why Dillon and Makka were absent against Joseph's over the weekend ? That's two big additions to be able to bring back in
Nice piece here about Zack Touhy, what a career he's had....
https://mailchi.mp/the42/editors-pick-zach-tuohy-in-the-afl-is-one-of-the-great-irish-sporting-success-stories?e=9b2ef32aa4
O'Dempseys could have Shane Nerney for semi-final.
Rosenallis 2-10 Ballylinan 0-6 - full time
All over here in Annanough. Comfortable win for Rosenallis. They are safe at senior level for another year.
Ballylinan's tough season continues.
They have one game left to avoid an instant return to intermediate grade.
They'll play the losers of Courtwood and Ballyfin in two weeks' time to decide who drops to intermediate for 2025.
If Ballylinan aren't careful they could be back were they were last year and might not be as easy to bounce back up
Didn't see Ballylinan game but Ballyfin are in big bother based on yesterday.
No James Finn and they were beaten after 15 minutes.
Must be strong favourites for the drop.
Semifinals today
Portlaois always looks like winners
Graiguecullen very disappointing
Should be a very interesting final
Port v Portlaois sunday week.
Port v Portlaoise in senior and minor
Graigue were very disappointing yesterday bar Kelly, they never got going, but fair play to Port.
Portlaoise again looked very strong, Fennelly doing a great job there and have them playing a nice brand of football. They'll surely go in favourites for the final and might have Tuohy back which will make them stronger again.
Should be a good minor final too, been a while since Portlaoise have won a minor title
Any chance of an AFL star appearing on Sunday?
What a turn around for Port today
considering all the players they lost from the 3 in a row I thought they were super today, they won all the battles all over the pitch and there forwards worked well together and got some great scores,Portlaois will be disappointed after a good start once Port went ahead they fell away and were always second best after that.
As a neutral observer, I was surprised at just how one dimensional Portlaoise were. Once Damon Larkin picked up an injury and they pulled Lillis out deeper to compensate for his presence around the middle, the writing was on the wall.
Lillis being inside is their best weapon. Without it, they looked badly disjointed and insipid in an attacking sense. Cahillane never got going on the day and DJ White, as brilliant as he played today at times, doesn't have that bit of physicality about him that Lillis or a fit Larkin would offer.
On the whole, I wouldn't necessarily be of the opinion that there is a great deal of difference between the two teams despite today's scoreline. Portlaoise created more than enough to be within a shout of winning but their inefficiency in front of the posts caught up with them badly. Factor in a kamikaze style defending approach and a red hot Colm Murphy and Jake Foster and we arrive at a logical, relatively comfortable, Portarlington win.
Congratulations to a fine Portarlington side. Seems like they will be stunted severely in their Leinster campaign without their star Ozzie trio available, but they have a good bit about them in reserve so I hope they can do themselves and their county proud over the next few weeks.
Congrats to Portarlington, they got better as the championship progressed and they saved their best for the final. It would be great for the county to see them going on a run now but will be difficult with the departures. If they can get them all back next year they'll take stopping in the Laois championship.
As a neutral, it was great to see both teams go man on man and have no sweepers or negative tactics. Although Portlaoise might have regrets allowing space for Ports inside forwards.
Yes congratulations to Portarlington on another Senior crown. I have a question that I would dearly love the Answer to. I originally come from a hurling area in the County, and have lived in the UK for 11 years, as a consequence of being unfamiliar any longer with what goes on, on the ground in Laois, I was wondering why Portarlington only had one player on the county team last year, I find this bewildered as they have been in or around the top table of Senior football in the County since 2019. I understand that there may be obvious reasons like lack of commitment immigration etc, but surely you would expect at least three or four on the panel. Just wondering from afar
imjury n travel. mohan be close but injured. great win for port, thatll hjurt the town. lackin in fee places yet n answers dont seem comin yet. ciran mc a big loss sunday when larkin went off.
On a separate point, I'm surprised more hasn't been made of Ballylinan and their abysmal showing this year in the championship. I cannot remember a worse senior team in Laois championship football and I've been attending and watching games since the 1980s. Not in one of their games did they put up any sort of fight. Sad to hear after the excitement of last year and first championship success in 50 years. Another example of why we need to reduce senior championship to twelve teams.
Just after reading article in Indo by Aidan Fennelly fair play to him for his approach to football in the Town he tried to play the game to the Portlaoise way and fair play to Port for matching them it's people like him that can be the savior of Football and long may it continue and make it the spectacle it once was
Dreadful performance by Port against a team that their manager said had to be pulled out from the Pubs the Tuesday before the match Club football in the county is at a all time low.With 16 senior teams in the county some of the teams must be dreadful if the best team in it cannot beat the Wicklow champs at home
Quote from: Blueforever on November 06, 2024, 01:35:00 PMDreadful performance by Port against a team that their manager said had to be pulled out from the Pubs the Tuesday before the match Club football in the county is at a all time low.With 16 senior teams in the county some of the teams must be dreadful if the best team in it cannot beat the Wicklow champs at home
I know Port were down a few but to be honest that Tinahely side might be the poorest team I've seen win a senior club championship game in Leinster. Port with that performance were lucky it was only Tinahely they were playing
Cuala , Naas , Lomans and Tullamore ( who I'm not fully sold on ) are all a cut above what was on show in Portlaoise last Sunday
We definitely need to cut down to 12 senior teams in Laois anyway . The Wicklow man beside me said they have 12 senior teams in Wicklow and run two groups of 6 teams , mind you Tinahely finished 4th in their group and just scrapped into the quarter final so they wouldn't be considered any great shakes even in Wicklow club football
Port from 2/3 years ago would of easily put that Tinahely team to the sword but that's all history now unfortunately
And as 'depleted' as Port were, they were only missing 2 starters from the county final, not 10 as many would lead you to believe.
Ok O'Sullivan & Piggott came on in the 2nd half, but the damage was done at that stage and at half time there was only ever going to be 1 winner of that game.
We have more teams of intermediate standard playing at the senior grade, than we have of senior standard. Decrease it to 10 teams and you'd have 3 great championships in senior, intermediate and junior.
I don't think anyone said port were missing ten players from the county final gone by, but as a whole this year they were missing 10 from the starting team that beat o'dempseys in the 2022 county final. Scott Osborne, Diarmuid Bennett, Sean Byrne, stuart mulpeter, Stephen o neill, Adam Ryan, David murphy and then the 3 others, colm murphy, Robbie Piggott and Paddy o sullivan who did play their part in the latter stages of the championship. I do agree, I hope the number of senior teams in the county is reduced by at least 4 as both the intermediate and senior farcical at the moment.
Did Evan O'Carroll do his cruciate?
Did it playing for Leinster in the interprovincial. It's a bad loss for Crettyard as they also down Ciaran Burke. They had a team with those two playing capable of winning a Leinster title.
As for Port, you cannot judge them off that performance. Everyone was singing their praises after the county final and local papers/media were making it out that Pat Roe was terribly unlucky never to have managed Laois. Some posters questioning why more Port players weren't in with Laois etc. Port didn't look too pushed about giving Leinster a crack and that showed in their performance. They had a stronger team back a few years ago and they came up well short of the mark. I would say the players themselves knew they were a weaker side entering into the Leinster championships and that definitely was evident in the performance against a weak Tinahely side.
Portlaoise on the lookout for new manager pity Fennelly gone a breath of fresh air hope they don't go down the Fitzpatrick route which was dreadful to watch