SHC 2026 talk here
Could be a really open senior championship.
Ballacolla still have another year or 2 in them so deserve to be in the conversation but camross and the Harps are the 2 form teams from the league.
Id be surprised if camross don't make the final from there side of the draw. They have grat forwards and a manager who will have them really hungry and determined. Rosneallis will definitely get to a quarter at least. Not sure about who else.
On the other side, I really think the Harps will top the group and beat any of ballacolla, rathdowney or borris-kilcotton in a semi-final. There age-profile is so good and they have a winner over them in ken hogan who will keep feet on the ground and minds focused on hurling. I heard they have huge numbers at training and they are all in the gym every week as well. They lost a league final but were missing 3 or 4 top players. Not sure about rathdowney or ballacolla, didn't look strong during the league. Harps beat them both easily enough. Borris-kilcotton might make a quarter.
I think there might be a replay of the league final but in o moore park this October
Ballyfin might have a very hard year.
Casletown should win the Senior B. Them, Harps and camross will be the 3 teams to watch out for in the next few years. Others just don't have enough quality coming through.
What 3 or 4 were Harps missing in league final? Camross hurled for 20 minutes and won by 6 no point being in the Gym this time of year all about ball work now and getting sharp.
Podge dunne, hugh whelan, cathal murphy and dan comerford all missing. Eoghan murphy and tony mahony only came on as subs. All big losses for a team looking to break through.
Gym is part of the culture now for winning teams and they know that.
Quote from: Border Rail 26 on July 07, 2026, 02:11:33 PMBallyfin might have a very hard year.
Casletown should win the Senior B. Them, Harps and camross will be the 3 teams to watch out for in the next few years. Others just don't have enough quality coming through.
Ballyfin are in dire straits. Should've tried to kick on after winning Premier last year, but instead seem to have given up. Common enough reaction to moving up a level.
Harps will dominate when they win one, but I feel it might not be this year.
Clough Ballacolla will be hard to beat again this year. They had so many lads in with the county that the league is irrelevant really. Their age profile is pretty good too and I fear they could dominate for a few years yet.
Cbolla have a few lads injured i believe but will have enough to qualify and then have them all back. Have a few nice minors coming up aswell. How they are with mrath in the minor is a joke. Mrath had plenty of there owe for a team. Plus only 4 teams in the U20 A Cship this year that's poor.
Quote from: Border Rail 26 on July 07, 2026, 02:11:33 PMCould be a really open senior championship.
Ballacolla still have another year or 2 in them so deserve to be in the conversation but camross and the Harps are the 2 form teams from the league.
Id be surprised if camross don't make the final from there side of the draw. They have grat forwards and a manager who will have them really hungry and determined. Rosneallis will definitely get to a quarter at least. Not sure about who else.
On the other side, I really think the Harps will top the group and beat any of ballacolla, rathdowney or borris-kilcotton in a semi-final. There age-profile is so good and they have a winner over them in ken hogan who will keep feet on the ground and minds focused on hurling. I heard they have huge numbers at training and they are all in the gym every week as well. They lost a league final but were missing 3 or 4 top players. Not sure about rathdowney or ballacolla, didn't look strong during the league. Harps beat them both easily enough. Borris-kilcotton might make a quarter.
I think there might be a replay of the league final but in o moore park this October
Ballyfin might have a very hard year.
Casletown should win the Senior B. Them, Harps and camross will be the 3 teams to watch out for in the next few years. Others just don't have enough quality coming through.
Absoluely no way I'd have the Harps beating CB in a semi final when it comes to the business end of the season. In fact I don't see anyone stopping CB winning it again. If Picky continues his county form into the club championship they won't be beat.
It is a long championship and very different from the past. Gone are the days of getting your two wins early and ensuring you got out of your group. You have to be consistent over 7/8 games to win it, and obviously clinical in the last 2. You could be hurling well in the summer but when it slows in September and October, you need power, ball winners and scorers. R/E topped the group stage last year but didn't land a blow on Camross in the semi. Camross were very poor in the final and it is hard to see them being as poor again if they get back there.
The two teams of the championship last year were probably Rosenallis and Ballinakill, who really and truly should have made the final. Clough Ballacolla improved as the year went on and they know how to get the job done when it matters. Picky being avilable from the outset is a huge boost.
My prediction is that there will be plenty of upsets and that 8 points will top the group, 6 will get you through. Really looking forward to it.
Quote from: Laois man on July 08, 2026, 10:16:24 AMPlus only 4 teams in the U20 A Cship this year that's poor.
I know. And they have a 'C' grade in that, and all.
Quote from: Border Rail 26 on July 07, 2026, 02:11:33 PMCould be a really open senior championship.
Ballacolla still have another year or 2 in them so deserve to be in the conversation but camross and the Harps are the 2 form teams from the league.
Id be surprised if camross don't make the final from there side of the draw. They have grat forwards and a manager who will have them really hungry and determined. Rosneallis will definitely get to a quarter at least. Not sure about who else.
On the other side, I really think the Harps will top the group and beat any of ballacolla, rathdowney or borris-kilcotton in a semi-final. There age-profile is so good and they have a winner over them in ken hogan who will keep feet on the ground and minds focused on hurling. I heard they have huge numbers at training and they are all in the gym every week as well. They lost a league final but were missing 3 or 4 top players. Not sure about rathdowney or ballacolla, didn't look strong during the league. Harps beat them both easily enough. Borris-kilcotton might make a quarter.
I think there might be a replay of the league final but in o moore park this October
Ballyfin might have a very hard year.
Casletown should win the Senior B. Them, Harps and camross will be the 3 teams to watch out for in the next few years. Others just don't have enough quality coming through.
The Harps have it all to prove so they do . You can't be in the gym until the cows come home but you can't beat getting over the line and that's what Balacolla have being doing and take all the beating this year, Camross are the only ones who could lay a glove on them
The obsession with the Harps continues. They have done nothing in years and years. They have as much to prove as any other team in it.
The Harps hammered ballacolla less than a month ago. How is that not laying a glove? And dont give me some nonsense about it being the league, ballacolla were close to full strength like Harps were.
They won 4 Under 20s in a row and will be big favourites to win number 5 this year.
I know people dont want to hear it and I know there is a lot to prove in championship but their the best bet in the championship at 10 to 1.
Quote from: Border Rail 26 on July 08, 2026, 07:41:23 PMThe Harps hammered ballacolla less than a month ago. How is that not laying a glove? And dont give me some nonsense about it being the league, ballacolla were close to full strength like Harps were.
They won 4 Under 20s in a row and will be big favourites to win number 5 this year.
I know people dont want to hear it and I know there is a lot to prove in championship but their the best bet in the championship at 10 to 1.
Didn't Abbeyliex win the league last year? Or get to the final? The league means next to nothing.
Until there is some actual progress made at senior they have absolutely everything to prove. Regardless of U20, minor, etc. Other clubs have done better than the harps for plenty of years and not half as much talked about them.
Bar John Brophy, I'd say there's not many, if any, players in that team who have ever played in a county semi final? I'd have to check but it would be very, very few.
Quote from: Border Rail 26 on July 08, 2026, 07:41:23 PMThe Harps hammered ballacolla less than a month ago. How is that not laying a glove? And dont give me some nonsense about it being the league, ballacolla were close to full strength like Harps were.
They won 4 Under 20s in a row and will be big favourites to win number 5 this year.
I know people dont want to hear it and I know there is a lot to prove in championship but their the best bet in the championship at 10 to 1.
Your getting caught up on the bandwagon,it doesn't matter how many u20s they won it doesnt always translate to senior titles. And people are right about the league different ball game than the championship
Quote from: Laois Abu on July 09, 2026, 07:39:40 AMQuote from: Border Rail 26 on July 08, 2026, 07:41:23 PMThe Harps hammered ballacolla less than a month ago. How is that not laying a glove? And dont give me some nonsense about it being the league, ballacolla were close to full strength like Harps were.
They won 4 Under 20s in a row and will be big favourites to win number 5 this year.
I know people dont want to hear it and I know there is a lot to prove in championship but their the best bet in the championship at 10 to 1.
Your getting caught up on the bandwagon,it doesn't matter how many u20s they won it doesnt always translate to senior titles. And people are right about the league different ball game than the championship
League and Cship totally different. Big game for Harps v Camross sat evening. Cbolla should get over Rosenallis. Plaois to beat Ballyfin. Rdowney/Errill should be tight and Aleix v Borris/Kilcotton could go either way.
Round 1 Predictions
The Harps V Camross - Camross win by 5+
Clough/Ballacolla V Rosenallis - C/B win by 3+
Portlaoise V Ballyfin - PL win by 2
Rath/Errill v Ballinakill - R/E win by 8+
Abbeyleix V Borris - Borris win by 6+
I didn't mean to come across so cocky when i read my messages back. Harps definitely have lots to prove to get to the level they feel there capable of. I think ken hogan and brian carroll could be the real deal.
My predictions:
portlaoise by 5
The Harps by 1
rathdowney by 4
borris-kilcotton by 6
ballacolla by 3
Would be good to see the harps getting over the line but Harps have being strong underage since the 80s and still haven't made the breakthrough.
Round 1 Predictions
The Harps V Camross
Big game for The Harps.
Hogan takes no prisoners by all accounts so I would imagine The Harps haven't had their heads rubbed for the last fortnight.
They should come all guns blazing.
I think they will put in a performance.
But it won't be enough.
On the bigger picture, I'd question if The Harps are any closer now to knowing their best 15 & best positioning than they have been over the last few years?
Big numbers are one thing.Establishing your top 20 is another.
Keeping numbers 21-35 happy is another.
It isn't an issue in Camross.
- Camross win by 6
Clough/Ballacolla V Rosenallis
I'd question Rosenallis' ceiling.
You can't keep going week in & out, year after year.
Are they adding to their first 15 at all?
Ballacolla tend to have guys fighting for places at this stage of the year.
I can't see there being less than an 8 point win for Ballacolla.
Portlaoise V Ballyfin
Where is any sort of respectable performance from Ballyfin going to arrive out of?
Portlaoise will enjoy the opportunity to let loose.
This could be 15-16 points of a win for Portlaoise.
As an aside, I don't think Ballyfin know what they want to be as a club.
Unlike Rosenallis, I'd question the unity of it all there behind the scenes.
Rathdowney Errill v Ballinakill
I go with Rathdowney every year. Sometimes I get let down. Particularly as the year goes on.
They generally start well.
Probably have a few all year this year that they wouldn't have seen much of over the last few years.
Ballinakill have rejuvenated with Shanahan, Lynch & McDonald, but they don't have enough to handle RE. R/E win by 7 points
Abbeyleix V Borris Kilcotton
Abbeyleix aren't as bad as the league might make them appear.
Crucially they have both legs & forwards.
Borris have been inconsistent the last few years.
Again like Rosenallis, have they added much?
I think Abbeyleix have the better options to hold the BK forwards.
I'm not sure you could say the same in reverse.
Abbeyleix by 4 for me.
Premier Intermediate
Camross v Mountmellick
Clough Ballacolla v Colt Shanahoe
Castletown v Rathdowney Errill
Clonad GAA v Clonaslee
Intermediate
The Harps v Borris Kilcotton
Clough/Ballacolla v Abbeyleix
Trumera v Mountrath
Slieve Bloom v Ballypickas
Senior
The Harps V Camross
Clough/Ballacolla V Rosenallis
Portlaoise V Ballyfin
Rath/Errill v Ballinakill
Abbeyleix V Borris
Premier Intermediate
Camross v Mountmellick
Clough Ballacolla v Colt Shanahoe
Castletown v Rathdowney Errill
Clonad GAA v Clonaslee
Intermediate
The Harps v Borris Kilcotton (Draw)
Clough/Ballacolla v Abbeyleix
Trumera v Mountrath
Slieve Bloom v Ballypickas
13 games, id be happy with a 9 out of 13 correct predictions :)
I'll tally after Round 1 if anyone else wants to post as per above
1 point for a win correct
2 point for a draw correct
Aye - go on, then!
The Harps V Camross - draw
Clough/Ballacolla V Rosenallis
Portlaoise V Ballyfin
Rath/Errill v Ballinakill
Abbeyleix V Borris
Premier Intermediate
Camross v Mountmellick
Clough Ballacolla v Colt Shanahoe
Castletown v Rathdowney Errill
Clonad GAA v Clonaslee
Intermediate
The Harps v Borris Kilcotton
Clough/Ballacolla v Abbeyleix
Trumera v Mountrath
Slieve Bloom v Ballypickas
Senior
Portlaoise v ballyfin
The harps v Camross
clough/ballacolla v rosenallis
Rathdowney-Errill v ballinakill
Abbeyleix v borris/kilcotton
Prem intermediate
Camross v Mountmellick
Clough ballacolla v colt shanahoe
Castletown v R/E
Clonaslee v clonad
Intermediate
The harps v B/K
Abbeyleix v C/B
Slieve bloom v Pickas
Mountrath v trumera
The intermediate depends a lot of on how many players get brought up to the first teams
Thanks verbal
Senior
The Harps V Camross
Clough/Ballacolla V Rosenallis
Portlaoise V Ballyfin
Rath/Errill v Ballinakill
Abbeyleix V Borris-Kilcotton
Premier Intermediate
Camross v Mountmellick
Clough Ballacolla v Colt Shanahoe
Castletown v Rathdowney Errill
Clonad v Clonaslee Draw
Intermediate
The Harps v Borris Kilcotton
Clough/Ballacolla v Abbeyleix
Trumera v Mountrath
Slieve Bloom v Ballypickas
Senior
The Harps V Camross = Draw
Clough/Ballacolla V Rosenallis = C/B
Portlaoise V Ballyfin = Draw
Rath/Errill v Ballinakill = Rath/Erill
Abbeyleix V Borris-Kilcotton = Abbeyleix
Premier Intermediate
Camross v Mountmellick = Camross
Clough Ballacolla v Colt Shanahoe =Colt
Castletown vRathdowney/Errill = Castletown
Clonad v Clonaslee = Clonaslee
Intermediate
The Harps v Borris Kilcotton = Harps
Clough/Ballacolla v Abbeyleix = C/B
Trumera v Mountrath = Trumera
Slieve Bloom v Ballypickas = S/B
So far I have
Verbal
Ballygowan
Genocide
Les Antiques
Laois Heritage
Border Rail
+ Senior predictions from Laois 345
Have I missed anyone?
Post before tonight's game to be included in them all
Hard to know how to feel about The Harps after that.
Same shit every year.
Quote from: Verbal on July 11, 2026, 09:27:50 PMHard to know how to feel about The Harps after that.
You called it, in fairness!
Have to say camross were really good and more than deserved the win.
But The Harps showed their is still plenty to work with. Missing one of the best forwards in laois and still scored 5 goals. Will need to get a bit tighter at the back but it was a really hot eve and that led to lots of loose hurling.
Standard of the 2nd gane was not nearly as high i think it's fair to say. Ballinakill were great for a burst towards the end of the first half but then rathdowney came back strongly at the start of the 2nd half and that won the game.
I tink camross vs rathdowney will tell us a lot more about where those teams are.
Are you from The Harps by any chance Border Rail?
Or involved?
2-31 is a monstrous score to concede against a team you should be competing with.
Camross won't be happy with 5 goals conceded, but I think 31 points is a bigger overall problem.
Quote from: Border Rail 26 on July 11, 2026, 10:29:35 PMHave to say camross were really good and more than deserved the win.
But The Harps showed their is still plenty to work with. Missing one of the best forwards in laois and still scored 5 goals. Will need to get a bit tighter at the back but it was a really hot eve and that led to lots of loose hurling.
Standard of the 2nd gane was not nearly as high i think it's fair to say. Ballinakill were great for a burst towards the end of the first half but then rathdowney came back strongly at the start of the 2nd half and that won the game.
I tink camross vs rathdowney will tell us a lot more about where those teams are.
I always hear you saying there missing this player there missing that player but Camross are missing players too they just get on with it, any team is going to be missing players at a giving time.
You just don't get it The Harps are not good enough to win a county final this year maybe in a year or two but not this year. It's between Camross and Ballacolla this year .
Great atmosphere at the Camross Harps match but seemed very few stayed for the second one. Camross had experience all over and Harps just didn't.
R/E just had enough to get past Ballinakill but neither were hugely impressive.
I just find it hard to accept that we have a 2 horse race between camross and ballacolla.
As i already said, camross were really impressive but after the penalty the Harps were only a score away despite camross having played brilliantly.
Is it not possible that camross levels could drop a little and the Harps with James Duggan back could improve? On any given day these things can happen.
I dont think theirs any doubt about camross topping their group and being massive favourites to making a final but i think the other group is more open and i still think the Harps will surprise a few.
Quote from: Laois345 on July 09, 2026, 11:16:29 AMRound 1 Predictions
The Harps V Camross - Camross win by 5+
Clough/Ballacolla V Rosenallis - C/B win by 3+
Portlaoise V Ballyfin - PL win by 2
Rath/Errill v Ballinakill - R/E win by 8+
Abbeyleix V Borris - Borris win by 6+
Done ok here.
Harps beaten, unsurprisingly. They'll be fine but I think people need to adjust their baseless expectations for them.
Ballinakill should have beaten Rathdowney if they had anything about them, they were there to be bet. But Ballinakill just seemed a bit all over the place on the field.
A decent win for Portlaoise, one they absthad to win. Nice to get it done early for them. That's them safe now really, you'd imagine. With Ballyfin all tough games left.
Abbeyliex looked miles off it. Thought it would be a bit closer. Borris looking sharp for this time of year they are normally a slow burner. Possibly the addition of an S&C coach might be helping?
Clough + Ballacolla deservedly won, they took over mid second half and Rosenalis struggled to score but a tight game.
Quote from: Laois345 on July 13, 2026, 07:57:30 AMQuote from: Laois345 on July 09, 2026, 11:16:29 AMRound 1 Predictions
The Harps V Camross - Camross win by 5+
Clough/Ballacolla V Rosenallis - C/B win by 3+
Portlaoise V Ballyfin - PL win by 2
Rath/Errill v Ballinakill - R/E win by 8+
Abbeyleix V Borris - Borris win by 6+
Done ok here.
Harps beaten, unsurprisingly. They'll be fine but I think people need to adjust their baseless expectations for them.
Ballinakill should have beaten Rathdowney if they had anything about them, they were there to be bet. But Ballinakill just seemed a bit all over the place on the field.
A decent win for Portlaoise, one they absthad to win. Nice to get it done early for them. That's them safe now really, you'd imagine. With Ballyfin all tough games left.
Abbeyliex looked miles off it. Thought it would be a bit closer. Borris looking sharp for this time of year they are normally a slow burner. Possibly the addition of an S&C coach might be helping?
Clough + Ballacolla deservedly won, they took over mid second half and Rosenalis struggled to score but a tight game.
Self-praise is no praise, but still - you did pretty well, all right.
Yes, Ballinakill were well up to R/E, and will be disappointed. Wonder is Cha doing much training at all?
Would have thought Portlaoise could still meet Ballyfin in a relegation final? Very poor game by all accounts.
Clough Ballacolla v Rosenallis was a very poor game. Rosenallis struggling for scores outside of frees. CB looked very lacklustre but they will improve as the season goes on.
I love the way teams are written off on the back of one game. It is a totally different competition to what was in place as recently as 2024. You need to be consistent, stay the course or else produce a big turnaround to win it now. 7/8 games v 4/5 games. It is a totally different championship now.
Camross written off last year after two games and ended up in the final. CB edged their way through the group last year, beaten twice I think, and still delivered when it was needed. The summer hurling is only to see who gets to business end. Its all about delivering in Sept/Oct. I wouldn't be so quick to narrow it to Camross/CB, plenty of hurling to be played yet.
Quote from: Laoisred on July 13, 2026, 12:54:49 PMI love the way teams are written off on the back of one game. It is a totally different competition to what was in place as recently as 2024. You need to be consistent, stay the course or else produce a big turnaround to win it now. 7/8 games v 4/5 games. It is a totally different championship now.
Camross written off last year after two games and ended up in the final. CB edged their way through the group last year, beaten twice I think, and still delivered when it was needed. The summer hurling is only to see who gets to business end. Its all about delivering in Sept/Oct. I wouldn't be so quick to narrow it to Camross/CB, plenty of hurling to be played yet.
Maybe I jumped the gun a bit by saying Ballacollla and Camross. After the weekend I would rate the teams chances of winning as follows:
1Camross
2.Ballacolla
3.The Harps
4.Borris Kilcotton
5.Rathdowney Errill
Apologies I missed last night!
These are my scores (Ballacolla v Abbeyleix IHC didn't take place)
Verbal 9
Border Rail 8
Laois Heritage 8
Les Antiques 8
Genocide 7
Ballygowan 6
Laois 345 5
Ballacolla v Ballinakill
Borris Kilcotton v Portlaoise
The Harps v Abbeyleix
Camross v Rathdowney Errill
Ballacolla v Ballinakill Draw
Borris Kilcotton v Portlaoise
The Harps v Abbeyleix
Camross v Rathdowney Errill
Ballacolla by 5
Borris by 5
The Harps by 1
Camross by 2
Ballacolla v Ballinakill
Borris Kilcotton v Portlaoise
The Harps v Abbeyleix
Camross v Rathdowney Errill
Ballacolla V Ballinakill is potentially a tricky one to call. Ballacolla not quite motoring yet, but then Ballinakill hadn't the where-with-all against R/E, so... Ballacolla it is!
Ballacolla v Ballinakill - Draw
Borris Kilcotton v Portlaoise - Borris
The Harps v Abbeyleix - The Harps
Camross v Rathdowney/Errill - Draw
Ballinakill v C/B
B/K v Portlaoise
The Harps v Abbeyleix
Camross v R/E
Clough ballacolla
B/k
Harps
Camross
O forgot about the game last night. I assume it was on early in the week because both involved in football.?
Probably would of went for rosenallis
Apologies, I forgot about it.
I think all would have gone for Rosenallis.
I think the below is right
Leaderboard TOTAL Round 2 Round 1
Verbal 12 3 9
Laois Heritage 11 3 8
Genocide 10 3 7
Border Rail 10 2 8
Les Antiques 9 1 8
Ballygowan 9 3 6
Laois 345 8 3 5
Everybody would have to say camross and the Harps were two best over the last few days. I think rathdowney have been ritten off too quickly and ballacolla will probably improve but i think time and age is catching up with them. I was surprised borris were so bad. What happened at the end does anybody know?
Abbeyleix have been awful. They are a shitshow.
What has gone wrong in Abbeyleix?
Not sure what is happening in Abbeyleix but they seem a bit disjointed at the moment. Seemed to be a closer unit with more cohesion in 23, 24 and 25. Will need a big improvement and they have enough quality players to turn it around but hard to do mid-championship. Harps took full advantage of their poor form anyway.
I am impressed with Rathdowney Errill. Obviously without Eric Killeen, Brandon McGinley and Ross King who are all away travelling and all 'starting' forwards and yet they are competitive all the time. O'Connell coming back will help the defence and young Bracken coming back should help the forwards. Ran out of juice the other night after putting so much into first half. Have to admire Camross though who stayed at it and found a way as they do. Gaughan and Keyes central to the turn around in 2nd half.
I didn't see what happened at the end of the first match on Saturday as only got the second and third games but was surprised with the outcome. Borris have been hurling well. Maybe its time to give Critchley and co some credit at Portlaoise; 3 points from 4 and very much in the running to qualify.
First post here guys but I'm a huge Laois hurling fan and an ex-hurler.
Some thoughts having watched most games:
Portlaoise have picked up 2 good results to solidify themselves for the year and maybe push further, Cian Taylor adding a nice boost.
Camross with an impressive result last week vrs RE - Mossy Keyes being almost unstoppable in full flow and RE have struggled to keep him quiet for some years now. The RE team are growing nicely with key players performing well and as a unit. Tadhg Dowling has arguably been the best performer over the first 2 games in Laois.
CB have started slow, but that's a worry for the rest as they will peak when it matters. As strong a club team I've ever seen in Laois, backboned by Laois best performers over recent years.
BK having Joe Campion back is huge, they have a decent team, but I feel they're forwards are strong but they're light at the back..
I enjoy reading all of your thoughts.
Good points made above.
I don't mean to be harping on about one club, but very disappointing that The Harps second team can't account for Borris Kilcotton's second team.
Huge difference in how they have done at U20 for last 5 or 6 years.
Quote from: Verbal on July 23, 2026, 10:08:28 AMGood points made above.
I don't mean to be harping on about one club, but very disappointing that The Harps second team can't account for Borris Kilcotton's second team.
Huge difference in how they have done at U20 for last 5 or 6 years.
I think they must be managing their player pool very badly. Last year they had something like 28 graded senior. Could that really be so? B/K's second team is not particularly good.
There third team were well beating by Prt in the junior A Cship aswell. Why would you grade 28 lads senior? Name your 15 or 17 and let the rest hurl with the second team and if you see somebody then hurling well you can bring them up. By naming 28 a lot of lads get feck all fame time.
I like diff opinions and views but it is funny how diff teams are held to diff standards. I get why ballacolla are one of the favourites but they have been at best the 4th best team by perfrmance. (i think we focus to much on the past with some of our teams and players.) And then somehow the Harps are being judged by the result of there second team losing a close game to a more experienced team.
I agree that they have had issues with grading but thats because of the huge efforts by young players and them wanting to give youth a chance-that will be a good thing in the long run. And i think there inters will def still qualify from the group and if in a semi-final, wont be far away at all.
Does anyone know if the portlaoise signings like Foley, Maloney and Sheen are hurling this year? Another win and they will be in the knockouts and they beat the Harps last year so we will have a real chance to see who has improved by more.
Quiet simply,
When you have the experience and titles that Ballacolla do, you earn the right to be given then presumption that you know what you are doing.
They aren't flying it.
They don't need to be.
I mentioned The Harps' second team as I was simply quite shocked that they hadn't a really strong second team.
I've consistently questioned whether they are anywhere close to knowing their best 15 for senior.
That result reinforces my question.
I understand your point Border but the CB lads aren't placing massive emphasis on these early rounds. Similar to Camross, Camross can often show poor form early and have a surprising loss/draw.. but year in year out those 2 teams have dominated Laois hurling for the past 10 years. They know they really only have to peak for the Semi & finals on a typical year. So, we have to take a more holistic view using recent years, and their county players performances into account.
Re the Harps - We're all expecting a lot of them based of underage success and unfortunately for them it's the first comment out of anyone's mouth when they fail. They have some super young talent but let me invite you all to remember the BK minor / u21 teams of about 15 years ago. PJ, the Dunphys, Joe Campion, Finan, Fleming, Butch etc. A very strong, dominant underage team but they only turned it into 1 senior title. And don't forget every other team will bring forward a player or 2 every year, we can't be blinded by the fact Harps are bringing 1 or 2 extra on top of that.
Food for thought
Anyone a list of the county final dates for 2026 from junior B to senior?
Quote from: Laois man on July 25, 2026, 11:53:27 AMAnyone a list of the county final dates for 2026 from junior B to senior?
Sen: 18th Oct (minor on before)
Prem int & intermediate: Sat 3rd Oct
Jun a: Fri 18th Sept
I asked about the jun b but our secretary couldnt find it in emails. Id guess mid-sept as well.
Quote from: Leixhurlingman on July 24, 2026, 12:41:27 PMRe the Harps - We're all expecting a lot of them based of underage success and unfortunately for them it's the first comment out of anyone's mouth when they fail. They have some super young talent but let me invite you all to remember the BK minor / u21 teams of about 15 years ago. PJ, the Dunphys, Joe Campion, Finan, Fleming, Butch etc. A very strong, dominant underage team but they only turned it into 1 senior title. And don't forget every other team will bring forward a player or 2 every year, we can't be blinded by the fact Harps are bringing 1 or 2 extra on top of that.
Food for thought
Good point leixhurlingman. Personaly i still think the Harps have been dominating underages for lot longer than borris did but there will be natural doubts untill they get that big knockout win. Lets see if it ken hogan and brian carroll are the ones to get them there.
First games are Thursday at 7.30pm (Intermediate)
Senior Hurling Championship
Camross v Clough Ballacolla
Ballinakill v Borris Kilcotton DRAW
Rathdowney Errillv Rosenallis
The Harps v Portlaoise
Ballyfin v Abbeyleix
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Castletown
Mountmellick v Clonad
Clonaslee v Camross
Rathdowney Errill v Clough Ballacolla
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Ballypickas v Trumera
Abbeyleix St Lazarians v The Harps
Mountrath v Slieve Bloom
Borris Kilcotton v Clough Ballacola
Quote from: Verbal on July 17, 2026, 08:03:23 AMApologies I missed last night!
These are my scores (Ballacolla v Abbeyleix IHC didn't take place)
Verbal 9
Border Rail 8
Laois Heritage 8
Les Antiques 8
Genocide 7
Ballygowan 6
Laois 345 5
I'll add in the result of the Ballacolla v Abbeyleix intermediate match after tonight
Everybody went for Abbeyleix
Cheers Border Rail 26 for that👍
Senior Hurling Championship
Camross v Clough Ballacolla
Ballinakill v Borris Kilcotton
Rathdowney Errillv Rosenallis
The Harps v Portlaoise
Ballyfin v Abbeyleix
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Castletown
Mountmellick v Clonad
Clonaslee v Camross
Rathdowney Errill v Clough Ballacolla
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Ballypickas v Trumera
Abbeyleix St Lazarians v The Harps
Mountrath v Slieve Bloom
Borris Kilcotton v Clough Ballacola
Senior Hurling Championship
Camross v Clough Ballacolla
Ballinakill v Borris Kilcotton
Rathdowney Errill v Rosenallis
The Harps v Portlaoise
Ballyfin v Abbeyleix
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Castletown
Mountmellick v Clonad Draw
Clonaslee v Camross
Rathdowney Errill v Clough Ballacolla
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Ballypickas v Trumera
Abbeyleix v The Harps
Mountrath v Slieve Bloom Draw
Borris Kilcotton v Clough Ballacola
If camross play like they did against the Harps then they could win and really damage ballacollas scoring diff. A big win for the Harps or rathdowney then would give them a great chance of topping their group.
I think ballinakill and boris could be a really close game.
Camross
Borris kilcotten
R/E
Harps
Ballyfinn abbeyliex - Draw
Castletown
MM
Camross
C/B
Pickas
Abbeyleix
SB
BK
Ballacolla by 1, although I think this could either way.
Borris by 5+, they nearly always get the better of Ballinakill somehow and Ballinakill look a bit disjointed on the pitch this year.
Rathdowney by 6+. Rosenalis are a decent team but not sure they have it in them to beat Rathdowney.
The Harps will win I feel but only just. They are superior to Portlaoise but I feel the game could be a tight one.
Abbeyleix will beat Ballyfin by 3+. Abbeyleix much better than they've been playing, will surely churn out a performance against Ballyfin.
Big scoring in the junior A Cship last night. Prt hit 8.15.Camross 5.22 and Ctown 2.36 some scores.
Quote from: Laois man on July 30, 2026, 06:29:23 AMBig scoring in the junior A Cship last night. Prt hit 8.15.Camross 5.22 and Ctown 2.36 some scores.
Could just be the down-stream effects of a 10-team senior?!
Looks to me like some teams got there grading wrong and ended up with weakened teams at some grades. And then players at lower grades dont want to move up as they have better chance of winning at jun b or c.
Like who?
Laois 345- Do you want to stick in prediction for the PIHC and IHC?
Also, Les Aniques and Laois Heritage if ye want to stick up yer predictions before tonight's games?
First games are Thursday at 7.30pm (Intermediate)
Senior Hurling Championship
Camross v Clough Ballacolla
Ballinakill v Borris Kilcotton
Rathdowney Errillv Rosenallis
The Harps v Portlaoise
Ballyfin v Abbeyleix
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Castletown
Mountmellick v Clonad
Clonaslee v Camross
Rathdowney Errill v Clough Ballacolla
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Ballypickas v Trumera
Abbeyleix St Lazarians v The Harps
Mountrath v Slieve Bloom
Borris Kilcotton v Clough Ballacola
Senior Hurling Championship
Camross v Clough Ballacolla - C/B
Ballinakill v Borris Kilcotton - B/K
Rathdowney Errillv Rosenallis - R/E
The Harps v Portlaoise - draw
Ballyfin v Abbeyleix - Abbeyleix
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Castletown - Castletown
Mountmellick v Clonad - Clonad
Clonaslee v Camross - Clonaslee
Rathdowney Errill v Clough Ballacolla - draw
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Ballypickas v Trumera - Trumera
Abbeyleix St Lazarians v The Harps - Harps
Mountrath v Slieve Bloom - S/B
Borris Kilcotton v Clough Ballacola - B/K
Senior Hurling Championship
Camross v Clough Ballacolla Draw
Ballinakill v Borris Kilcotton ballinakill
Rathdowney Errill v Rosenallis R/E
The Harps v Portlaoise the harps
Ballyfin v Abbeyleix Abbeyleix
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Castletown Castletown
Mountmellick v Clonad Draw
Clonaslee v Camross Camross
Rathdowney Errill v Clough Ballacolla R/E
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Ballypickas v Trumera ballypickas
Abbeyleix St Lazarians v The Harps the harps
Mountrath v Slieve Bloom slieve bloom
Borris Kilcotton v Clough Ballacola B/K
Big surprise in some ways with rosenallis beating rathdowney tonight. Exciting game and taught rathdowney might win it near the end but rosenalis regained there composure in fairness.
The first game was strange i taught ballinakill were brilliant for the first 20 or so but they ran out of steam and boris got some lovely scores.
Boris back in the driving seat and to qualify with the Harps and ballacolla. Rathfowney need a favour now.
Gallant effort by RE who went down to 14 men after 14 minutes. Still put themselves in a position to win it, but same as against Camross couldnt see it out.
BK deserved winners of first one, where Ballinakill are just not going as well as last year.
Looks like CB, BK and Harps now from that Group. Harps will mever have a better chance of qualifying for knockout stages now which would be good progress for them.
Quote from: Laoisred on August 01, 2026, 10:50:07 PMGallant effort by RE who went down to 14 men after 14 minutes. Still put themselves in a position to win it, but same as against Camross couldnt see it out.
BK deserved winners of first one, where Ballinakill are just not going as well as last year.
Looks like CB, BK and Harps now from that Group. Harps will mever have a better chance of qualifying for knockout stages now which would be good progress for them.
Yeah i think rathdowny deserve a lot of credit. I didnt see the red but some people near me were saying it was very soft.
I dont think the Harps would see making a quarer as progress. K Hogan def wont.
The Harps again looked good in the second half and showing signs of learning as the year goes on. Hard to see them not make a semi-final now i think. Lots of pace that boris and rathdowney seem to struggel with. Great impact off the bench too with the mix of youth and experience. Portlasoie played the sweeper well but couldnt hold out forever. They are still on 3 points. Might be enough to make a quarter but far from def.
Some improvment for abbeyleix getting there win. Dont rule them out of claiming a win and sneaking into a quarter on the other side of the group. It shouldnt happen but sport can be funny and if rathdowney are out or ballacolla take them for granted who knows.
Ballyfinn look doomed im afraid
Anyone know how to post an image?
As far as I know, these are the scores.
Open to correction!
Leaderboard TOT R1 R2 R3
Verbal 22 10 3 9
Laois Heritage. 19 9 3 7
Genocide 18 8 3 7
Border Rail 18 9 2 7
Les Antiques 17 9 1 7
Ballygowan 17 7 3 7
Laois 345 12 5 3 4
A few mild surprises in that last round of results. Lads just about getting over 50% right - keeps it interesting!
Good to see surprises.
Part of me feels that the criss cross leaves a bad taste.
Being knocked out by a team you didn't have the chance to beat
Did Portlaoise have Cian Taylor back playing with them?
Quote from: ClashAsh on August 02, 2026, 07:55:34 PMDid Portlaoise have Cian Taylor back playing with them?
Yes. Think he was back for the Ballyfin game.
Quote from: Genocide Organ on August 02, 2026, 08:02:02 PMQuote from: ClashAsh on August 02, 2026, 07:55:34 PMDid Portlaoise have Cian Taylor back playing with them?
Yes. Think he was back for the Ballyfin game.
Thanks mate.
Thoughts after the weekend's games?
CB showing a little more steel and reminding everyone they've some gears in the motor. Picky still leading the line. Stevo Bergin quiet but oozes class and will fire yet. Likes of Willie Dunphy & Cillian Dunne to supplement Picky is alot of power for any team to handle. One thing about CB over the rest, their backs are the strongest across the county. Apart from Mossy, Camross got little joy out of their other 5 forwards due to the strength of CB backs. Mossy is a pleasure to watch in full flight. What a player and footwork & speed, Laois hurling's answer to Messi.
Harps with the 2 Duggan's will have 2 leading forwards for a decade. You can build a team around those 2 guys. Podge Delaney so solid and Boggy still has that touch of class. It will be interesting to see how they go from here. Portlaoise are a solid team, good to see them back competitive but unfortunately, they don't have the power or depth to go to the next level. But well done to them on a very strong opening 3 games and something about having a Pat Crichley on their line is good for the soul watching them fight to instill pride back into the jersey.
Rosenallis with the biggest win of the weekend. Please correct me but I don't think they've beaten RE in any recent memory? Johno doing a fine job with them, really like how he carries himself and a future Laois manager in either code for me. Rosenallis have a good team with some county experience peppered amongst them. RE losing Mark Kav early was a factor, anyone see it? But RE struggled to find flow or get key players onto enough ball. Largely down to Johno's set up. They will struggle to make it out of the group for the first time since their amalgamation.
Abbeyleix with a routine win over Ballyfin. Fair play to Ballyfin representing their Parish given a tough circumstance. I don't care about the results for them; they're turning up and trying. Going down but fighting a good clean fight with a player manager who donned the Laois jersey for a few years. Well done to them, it's not easy.
I didn't see BK v Ballinakill so I can't comment.
I think people have been slow to see justin Duggan for what he is. He walks on to the 26 for laois seniors next year. So much potential and always feels like there is a goal in him.
I know everyone loves mossy and what a talent he is but i dont think he got much off diarmuid conway. His 1st point was brilliant and a great goal but didnt have too much influence tho ballacolla backs are tough and play on the edge as we have seen for a while now.
Any other possible future county players on show for any1?
Would ryan deeny be an ootion?