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?
Round 4 Predictions
Senior Hurling Championship
The Harps v Rosenallis DRAW
Ballyfin v Ballinakill
Borris Kilcotton v Camross
Rathdowney Errill v Portlaoise
Abbeyleix v Clough Ballacolla
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Rathdowney Errill
Castletown v Clough Ballacolla
Camross v Clonad
Clonaslee v Mountmellick
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Borris Kilcotton v Abbeyleix
Clough/Ballacolla v The Harps
Mountrath v Ballypickas
Slieve Bloom v Trumera
Senior Hurling Championship
The Harps v Rosenallis
Ballyfin v Ballinakill
Borris Kilcotton v Camross
Rathdowney Errill v Portlaoise Draw
Abbeyleix v Clough Ballacolla
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Rathdowney Errill
Castletown v Clough Ballacolla
Camross v Clonad
Clonaslee v Mountmellick
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Borris Kilcotton v Abbeyleix
Clough/Ballacolla v The Harps
Mountrath v Ballypickas
Slieve Bloom v Trumera
Senior Hurling Championship
The Harps v Rosenallis
Ballyfin v Ballinakill
Borris Kilcotton v Camross
Rathdowney Errill v Portlaoise
Abbeyleix v Clough Ballacolla
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Rathdowney Errill
Castletown v Clough Ballacolla
Camross v Clonad
Clonaslee v Mountmellick Draw
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Borris Kilcotton v Abbeyleix Draw
Clough/Ballacolla v The Harps
Mountrath v Ballypickas Draw
Slieve Bloom v Trumera
Senior Hurling Championship
The Harps v Rosenallis
Ballyfin v Ballinakill
Borris Kilcotton v Camross
Rathdowney Errill v Portlaoise
Abbeyleix v Clough Ballacolla
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Rathdowney Errill
Castletown v Clough Ballacolla
Camross v Clonad
Clonaslee v Mountmellick - draw
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Borris Kilcotton v Abbeyleix - draw
Clough/Ballacolla v The Harps
Mountrath v Ballypickas
Slieve Bloom v Trumera
Senior Hurling Championship
The Harps v Rosenallis Rosenallis
Ballyfin v Ballinakill ballinakill
Borris Kilcotton v Camross b/k
Rathdowney Errill v Portlaoise R/E
Abbeyleix v Clough Ballacolla ballacolla
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Rathdowney Errill R/E
Castletown v Clough Ballacolla Castletown
Camross v Clonad Camross
Clonaslee v Mountmellick Mountmellick
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Borris Kilcotton v Abbeyleix - B/K
Clough/Ballacolla v The Harps the harps
Mountrath v Ballypickas Pickas
Slieve Bloom v Trumera slieve bloom
Senior Hurling Championship
The Harps v Rosenallis - Harps by 3
Ballyfin v Ballinakill Ballinakill by 5
Borris Kilcotton v Camross - Camross by 1
Rathdowney Errill v Portlaoise - R/E by 7
Abbeyleix v Clough Ballacolla - CB by 4
The Harps v Rosenallis - Rosenalis
Ballyfin v Ballinakill Ballinakill
Borris Kilcotton v Camross - Camross
Rathdowney Errill v Portlaoise - R/E
Abbeyleix v Clough Ballacolla - CB
Senior Hurling Championship
The Harps v Rosenallis - The Harps
Ballyfin v Ballinakill - Ballinakill
Borris Kilcotton v Camross - Camross
Rathdowney Errill v Portlaoise - R/E
Abbeyleix v Clough Ballacolla - C/B
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Rathdowney Errill - R/E
Castletown v Clough Ballacolla - Castletown
Camross v Clonad - draw
Clonaslee v Mountmellick - draw
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Borris Kilcotton v Abbeyleix - BK
Clough/Ballacolla v The Harps - C/B
Mountrath v Ballypickas - Mountrath
Slieve Bloom v Trumera - S/B
SCFC & 345, if you want throw, up your predictions for the IHC and PIHC too
LaoisPremier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Colt Shanahoe v Rathdowney Errill
Castletown v Clough Ballacolla
Camross v Clonad
Clonaslee v Mountmellick
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Borris Kilcotton v Abbeyleix
Clough/Ballacolla v The Harps
Mountrath v Ballypickas
Slieve Bloom v Trumera
A serious statement of intent from the Harps tonight. So fast, so many scoring threats and a rosenallis team who beat rathdowney and troubled ballacolla just had no answer. Thats two big wins in 2 years for the Harps against rosenallis.
The bookies are usually right and the odds are coming in all the time but there is still some value there.
"And now over to Bob's Bar to our Durrow correspondent, Border Rail..."
Quote from: Verbal on August 14, 2026, 08:59:52 PM"And now over to Bob's Bar to our Durrow correspondent, Border Rail..."
;D
With Mark dowling missing tonight, it gives borris a big chance. A win for them would basically knock out rathdowney and make their match pretty meaningless tomorrow. That could give portlaoise a boost then tomorrow and a win for them in this imaginary situation would see them top the group with a game to go. Camross were awesome in round 1 but havent been the same since... they obviously raised their game for the biggest challengers. (JOKE)
After last night rosenallis are going to be missing their center forward for the last grouo game so still a lot to play for in that group at least. There on 4 points but score diff took a hit last night. Not def safe yet.
Or camross could win tonight and keep everything as expected.
Watched the second game tonight on Clubber.
Is Enda Lyons ever more excited than when Camross are going well?
I know the crossover format isnt the most popular but with one round to go it couldnt really be better set up.
Camross will be off touring the country getting practice matches as i cant see how they wont make a final from there side. It will be a good year for rosenallis and portlaoise who i think will end up in a quarter but thats about it. Its an ideal situation for camross who might be rusty but wont really need to be at there best to make a final.
On the other side, ballacolla are safe now and will beat portlaoise to top the group. They are only hurling ok but are getting thr job done. Rahtdowney will be sickened if they dont make a quarter but unless borris fall to pieces against rosenallis i think they are gone. Its easy admire ballinakill and cha is a big fans favourite but i dont think they will trouble the Harps to be honest. They had there big win last year but there is def a different feeling around the Harps with Ken hogan and Brian carroll in charge and they are keeping feet on the ground and competition for places is strong. There should be 2 good games with a quarter between the Harps and borris or rathdowney and the winners playing ballacolla. The form team is the Harps but as the weather turns a bit and the pitches get softer it might suit ballacolla or borris more give there experience.
Ballyfin and abbeyleix look likely to be in the relegation final and ballyfin look doomed especially as there focus will be on the football after the picnic.
Does anyone have any opinions on the senior or want to make any suggestions for possible county callups???
Harps motoring nicely, they've great depth to their panel and in Ken Hogan and Brian Carroll they've got 2 winners. They're well in the race.
Was at both matches yesterday and Sat night. Not in any camp but probably closer to Clough and Rathdowney than others.
Camross did enough as they always do in the group and are now in the semi. Borris played well in patches and should have enough for Rosenallis in last match. I think they'll come through.
Rathdowney Errill produced the best hurling of championship so far. Better than when they went 9 up v Camross. Or with 14 men v Rosenallis. Portlaoise are not a bad team but were completely blown away. Anyway RE have Harps in sight now and well capable of beating Abbeyleix to see if its enough. They'll be hoping for a bloody Ballinakill Harps battle and a narrow will for Ballinakill. A win for Ballinakill should see them through. It will be a dog eat dog match.
Clough Ballacolla dont seem to be firing fully yet which great for them as 4 from 4 and safely through. Still winning all their matches. Maybe those that said Camross v CB final were right all along.
It should be a tasty round 5.
Leaderboard TOTAL R1 R2 R3 R4
Verbal 33 10 3 9 11
Genocide 30 8 3 7 12
Border Rail 28 9 2 7 10
Ballygowan 28 7 3 7 11
Laois Heritage 27 9 3 7 8
Les Antiques 25 9 1 7 8
Laois 345 16 5 3 4 4
SCFC 5 5
Anyone know how to post a table or image?
Can't get the formatting right on this at all!
The best thing to do would be to make the table in Excel, make a screen shot, then upload/insert the image.
You can do it here but its hit and miss. Its the 8th blue box from the end where you post your messages. Hold the cursor over them and you'll see what each one does..
Thanks-
When I click that option I get the text below.
Any ideas where to go from there?
Quote from: Verbal on August 18, 2026, 04:20:57 PMAnyone know how to post a table or image?
Can't get the formatting right on this at all!
(https://i.postimg.cc/4xtjxQL5/table.jpg)
Hopefully that is correct and does the trick.
You can host images for free on https://postimages.org/ (https://postimages.org/)
That is correct- thanks a million. Apologies don't have the tech skills to do that!
Any players willing to step into county panel this year?
I always thought dan delaney is class act just needs to keep fit and injury free
Joe corby is another looking good
ben o meara of ballinakill?
thoughts?
Quote from: CloughHurling on September 03, 2026, 10:41:54 AMAny players willing to step into county panel this year?
I always thought dan delaney is class act just needs to keep fit and injury free
Joe corby is another looking good
ben o meara of ballinakill?
thoughts?
Ben O'Meara didn't make the county u20 panel this year. Perhaps he didn't want to? He's a decent hurler, but is he really senior inter-county standard?
Senior
Clough-Ballacolla v Portlaoise
Camross v Ballyfin
Ballinakill v The Harps - Draw
Rathdowney-Errill v Abbeyleix
Borris-Kilcotton v Rosenallis
PI
Rathdowney-Errill v Clonaslee St Manman's
Clonad v Colt-Shanahoe
Clough-Ballacolla v Mountmellick
Intermediate
Slieve Bloom v Borris-Kilcotto
The Harps v Ballypickas
Clough-Ballacolla v Trumera
Said i would stick this up while i think of it.
Senior i think is fairly straight forward, taking the risk on the draw to get more points, but i think harps will have enough
PI Clonaslee will be dogged in this and i would fancy them, butthier two sending offs the last day has me swayed towards RE. Q/F i think CS have enough for clonad (just about) and CB will edge MM
Intermediate SB to have enough, thye should be fancying themselves to go all the way, i think they let themselves down the last couple of years. Hope ballypicak win but i think the haprs have enough. and i think trumera will dog it out against CB.
Senior
Clough-Ballacolla v Portlaoise - C/B
Camross v Ballyfin - Camross
Ballinakill v The Harps - Harps
Rathdowney-Errill v Abbeyleix- R/E
Borris-Kilcotton v Rosenallis- B/K
PI
Rathdowney-Errill v Clonaslee St Manman's - Clonaslee
Clonad v Colt-Shanahoe - Clonad
Clough-Ballacolla v Mountmellick - Clough-Ballacolla
Intermediate
Slieve Bloom v Borris-Kilcotto -S/B
The Harps v Ballypickas-Harps
Clough-Ballacolla v Trumera- Trumera
Can't see Trumrea beating Cbolla or Clonaslee beating Rdowey/Errill in the Relagation playoffs
Senior
Clough-Ballacolla v Portlaoise - C/B
Camross v Ballyfin - Camross
Ballinakill v The Harps - Harps
Rathdowney-Errill v Abbeyleix- R/E
Borris-Kilcotton v Rosenallis- B/K
Premier intermediate
Rathdowney-Errill v Clonaslee St Manman's - R/E
Clonad v Colt-Shanahoe - Clonad
Clough-Ballacolla v Mountmellick - Mountmellick
Intermediate
Slieve Bloom v Borris-Kilcotton -S/B
The Harps v Ballypickas- ballypickas
Clough-Ballacolla v Trumera- C/B
Senior
Clough-Ballacolla v Portlaoise
Camross v Ballyfin
Ballinakill v The Harps
Rathdowney-Errill v Abbeyleix
Borris-Kilcotton v Rosenallis
PI
Rathdowney-Errill v Clonaslee St Manman's
Clonad v Colt-Shanahoe
Clough-Ballacolla v Mountmellick
Intermediate
Slieve Bloom v Borris-Kilcotton
The Harps v Ballypickas
Clough-Ballacolla v Trumera
Toughest call was R/E v Clonaslee... We shall see.
Not entirely convinced by B/K, either.
Clough-Ballacolla v Portlaoise - C-B
Camross v Ballyfin - Camross
Ballinakill v The Harps - The Harps
Rathdowney-Errill v Abbeyleix - R-E
Borris-Kilcotton v Rosenallis- B-K
Apologies!
Senior
Clough-Ballacolla v Portlaoise - C/B
Camross v Ballyfin - Camross
Ballinakill v The Harps - Harps
Rathdowney-Errill v Abbeyleix- R/E
Borris-Kilcotton v Rosenallis- Rosenallis
Premier intermediate
Rathdowney-Errill v Clonaslee St Manman's - R/E
Clonad v Colt-Shanahoe - Clonad
Clough-Ballacolla v Mountmellick -CBallacolls
Intermediate
Slieve Bloom v Borris-Kilcotton -B/K
The Harps v Ballypickas- The Harps
Clough-Ballacolla v Trumera- Trumera
Can't see Portlaoise or Ballyfin troubling either CB and Camross in the SHC. The last 3 games are more interesting in my opinion. Harps and Ballinakill could be tighter than some people think. Ballinakill will be praying for more rain, heard they had a good battle with St. Mullins last week. You'd never know though Harps are the form team. R/E should have enough for Abbeyleix and I think Borris will be too good for Rosenallis. Scully out puts a little more pressure on Dunphy and Quinlan for scores but they should have too much firepower for Rosenallis who rarely score heavily. They are minus Cosgrave too for 'that' pull so that makes it harder for them.
Senior
I think ballacolla by 5 but week after the picnic and with no pressure on they could be vulnerable to a slow and boring game which might give portlaoise a sniff.
Camross by whatever they want. Il guess 20.
Everyone has a lot of time for ballinakill and they will bring everything against the Harps but hard to see them keeping it up for a full game. It has been a couple of weeks since Justin Duggan threatened a hat trick and The Harps are the form team in lots of ways so should win by 7/8 after a battle.
The sunday games are a bit closer i think but rathdowney came out swinging the last day and will want to put a lot of pressure on borris. I have a feeling they'll come through with some comfort in the end. Rath by 8.
I would give rosenallis a chance as borris without scully are a bit weakened. Im going to go for a tense and low scoring draw that knocks borris out.
Rathdowney and the harps would be some tasty 1/4 final and the winner would have some cut off ballacolla or camross.
Senior B
Clonad and ballacolla to win in close games. Could go any way I guess.
I think rathdowney will win the relegation match easily enough.
Inter
Slieve bloom by 7 and the Harps by 5.
I think the gap between inter and senior B is as close as it has ever been.
Quote from: Genocide Organ on September 03, 2026, 10:52:07 AMQuote from: CloughHurling on September 03, 2026, 10:41:54 AMAny players willing to step into county panel this year?
I always thought dan delaney is class act just needs to keep fit and injury free
Joe corby is another looking good
ben o meara of ballinakill?
thoughts?
Ben O'Meara didn't make the county u20 panel this year. Perhaps he didn't want to? He's a decent hurler, but is he really senior inter-county standard?
This isn't correct. He was on the panel and walked away from it, as did several others due to the management setup. Several others did also not go in to the county at all over it.
Quote from: Laois345 on September 04, 2026, 07:14:33 AMQuote from: Genocide Organ on September 03, 2026, 10:52:07 AMQuote from: CloughHurling on September 03, 2026, 10:41:54 AMAny players willing to step into county panel this year?
I always thought dan delaney is class act just needs to keep fit and injury free
Joe corby is another looking good
ben o meara of ballinakill?
thoughts?
Ben O'Meara didn't make the county u20 panel this year. Perhaps he didn't want to? He's a decent hurler, but is he really senior inter-county standard?
This isn't correct. He was on the panel and walked away from it, as did several others due to the management setup. Several others did also not go in to the county at all over it.
That's true, a few lads never went in or dropped off - which is why I say maybe he didn't want to be there. Still, I doubt he would have made the starting team.
I believe same mangerment is there again for next year. 😭
Quote from: Laois man on September 04, 2026, 09:28:30 AMI believe same mangerment is there again for next year. 😭
I believe so, too - and I believe it was because they got to a semi two years ago that they got a three year term. A pity, because next year's team could be potentially quite decent. Certainly this year it looked like management were biding their time, just waiting for next year.
Quote from: Genocide Organ on September 04, 2026, 07:30:59 AMQuote from: Laois345 on September 04, 2026, 07:14:33 AMQuote from: Genocide Organ on September 03, 2026, 10:52:07 AMQuote from: CloughHurling on September 03, 2026, 10:41:54 AMAny players willing to step into county panel this year?
I always thought dan delaney is class act just needs to keep fit and injury free
Joe corby is another looking good
ben o meara of ballinakill?
thoughts?
Ben O'Meara didn't make the county u20 panel this year. Perhaps he didn't want to? He's a decent hurler, but is he really senior inter-county standard?
This isn't correct. He was on the panel and walked away from it, as did several others due to the management setup. Several others did also not go in to the county at all over it.
That's true, a few lads never went in or dropped off - which is why I say maybe he didn't want to be there. Still, I doubt he would have made the starting team.
He was part of the panel, and then he walked away from it. So he did make the panel. He is a player who had a serious injury when younger and probably hampered his development, hence he is coming to the fore now. He would have been on that team in my opinion.
Quote from: Laoisred on September 03, 2026, 07:31:48 PMCan't see Portlaoise or Ballyfin troubling either CB and Camross in the SHC. The last 3 games are more interesting in my opinion. Harps and Ballinakill could be tighter than some people think. Ballinakill will be praying for more rain, heard they had a good battle with St. Mullins last week. You'd never know though Harps are the form team. R/E should have enough for Abbeyleix and I think Borris will be too good for Rosenallis. Scully out puts a little more pressure on Dunphy and Quinlan for scores but they should have too much firepower for Rosenallis who rarely score heavily. They are minus Cosgrave too for 'that' pull so that makes it harder for them.
Why would Ballinakill be praying for more rain? From what I have seen over the past two years they play their best hurling on dry hard ground. Movement & space around the HF line is key for them. I think the rain will have a negative affect on them. The association that they some type of sluggers doesn't hold well for me.
I think the Harps will win by 6 or 7 points regardless of the weather. The Harps will be much better prepared mainly due to their management team having a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Abbeyleix will be in relegation along with Ballyfin. Ballinakill will be finished.
Quote from: Laois345 on September 04, 2026, 01:51:37 PMQuote from: Genocide Organ on September 04, 2026, 07:30:59 AMQuote from: Laois345 on September 04, 2026, 07:14:33 AMQuote from: Genocide Organ on September 03, 2026, 10:52:07 AMQuote from: CloughHurling on September 03, 2026, 10:41:54 AMAny players willing to step into county panel this year?
I always thought dan delaney is class act just needs to keep fit and injury free
Joe corby is another looking good
ben o meara of ballinakill?
thoughts?
Ben O'Meara didn't make the county u20 panel this year. Perhaps he didn't want to? He's a decent hurler, but is he really senior inter-county standard?
This isn't correct. He was on the panel and walked away from it, as did several others due to the management setup. Several others did also not go in to the county at all over it.
That's true, a few lads never went in or dropped off - which is why I say maybe he didn't want to be there. Still, I doubt he would have made the starting team.
He was part of the panel, and then he walked away from it. So he did make the panel. He is a player who had a serious injury when younger and probably hampered his development, hence he is coming to the fore now. He would have been on that team in my opinion.
Well, I realise I'm being pedantic, but Ben O'Meara did not make the Laois u20 panel. The panel was announced, probably in March some time, and his name was not there. I know there were lads walked away from the training before the panel was finalised, and other lads were let go, and he may well have made the cut, but to say he was on the panel is patently not true.
Quote from: Border Rail 26 on September 03, 2026, 09:54:19 PMSenior
I think ballacolla by 5 but week after the picnic and with no pressure on they could be vulnerable to a slow and boring game which might give portlaoise a sniff.
Camross by whatever they want. Il guess 20.
Everyone has a lot of time for ballinakill and they will bring everything against the Harps but hard to see them keeping it up for a full game. It has been a couple of weeks since Justin Duggan threatened a hat trick and The Harps are the form team in lots of ways so should win by 7/8 after a battle.
The sunday games are a bit closer i think but rathdowney came out swinging the last day and will want to put a lot of pressure on borris. I have a feeling they'll come through with some comfort in the end. Rath by 8.
I would give rosenallis a chance as borris without scully are a bit weakened. Im going to go for a tense and low scoring draw that knocks borris out.
Rathdowney and the harps would be some tasty 1/4 final and the winner would have some cut off ballacolla or camross.
Senior B
Clonad and ballacolla to win in close games. Could go any way I guess.
I think rathdowney will win the relegation match easily enough.
Inter
Slieve bloom by 7 and the Harps by 5.
I think the gap between inter and senior B is as close as it has ever been.
Do you want to call the IHC game Trumera v Ballacolla there for the competition (that has no prize!)?
Laois 345- no entry as far as I can see!
Quote from: Genocide Organ on September 04, 2026, 05:07:52 PMQuote from: Laois345 on September 04, 2026, 01:51:37 PMQuote from: Genocide Organ on September 04, 2026, 07:30:59 AMQuote from: Laois345 on September 04, 2026, 07:14:33 AMQuote from: Genocide Organ on September 03, 2026, 10:52:07 AMQuote from: CloughHurling on September 03, 2026, 10:41:54 AMAny players willing to step into county panel this year?
I always thought dan delaney is class act just needs to keep fit and injury free
Joe corby is another looking good
ben o meara of ballinakill?
thoughts?
Ben O'Meara didn't make the county u20 panel this year. Perhaps he didn't want to? He's a decent hurler, but is he really senior inter-county standard?
This isn't correct. He was on the panel and walked away from it, as did several others due to the management setup. Several others did also not go in to the county at all over it.
That's true, a few lads never went in or dropped off - which is why I say maybe he didn't want to be there. Still, I doubt he would have made the starting team.
He was part of the panel, and then he walked away from it. So he did make the panel. He is a player who had a serious injury when younger and probably hampered his development, hence he is coming to the fore now. He would have been on that team in my opinion.
Well, I realise I'm being pedantic, but Ben O'Meara did not make the Laois u20 panel. The panel was announced, probably in March some time, and his name was not there. I know there were lads walked away from the training before the panel was finalised, and other lads were let go, and he may well have made the cut, but to say he was on the panel is patently not true.
Right fair enough. That's grand. Enough internet for me for the day. Lord god.
Before I go, Portlaoise got absolutely pummelled tonight. A proper embarrassment.
Yet they'll be in the quarter finals. I like the new system, but the only issue I have with it is that some teams get knocked out without having the chance to play those who finished ahead of them.
I suppose it's swings and roundabouts. Argument can be made another way too.
Quote from: Verbal on September 04, 2026, 05:54:47 PMQuote from: Border Rail 26 on September 03, 2026, 09:54:19 PMSenior
I think ballacolla by 5 but week after the picnic and with no pressure on they could be vulnerable to a slow and boring game which might give portlaoise a sniff.
Camross by whatever they want. Il guess 20.
Everyone has a lot of time for ballinakill and they will bring everything against the Harps but hard to see them keeping it up for a full game. It has been a couple of weeks since Justin Duggan threatened a hat trick and The Harps are the form team in lots of ways so should win by 7/8 after a battle.
The sunday games are a bit closer i think but rathdowney came out swinging the last day and will want to put a lot of pressure on borris. I have a feeling they'll come through with some comfort in the end. Rath by 8.
I would give rosenallis a chance as borris without scully are a bit weakened. Im going to go for a tense and low scoring draw that knocks borris out.
Rathdowney and the harps would be some tasty 1/4 final and the winner would have some cut off ballacolla or camross.
Senior B
Clonad and ballacolla to win in close games. Could go any way I guess.
I think rathdowney will win the relegation match easily enough.
Inter
Slieve bloom by 7 and the Harps by 5.
I think the gap between inter and senior B is as close as it has ever been.
Do you want to call the IHC game Trumera v Ballacolla there for the competition (that has no prize!)?
Ill go with ballacolla.
Big win for ballacolla last night but portlaoise still at the picnic. There has to be a look at some kind of preliminery quater-finals if the criss-crossover groups stay. How can rathdowney or borris be knocked out and portlaoise get through.
And camross could post a similar score later.
I see your point about the preliminary QFs , but you'd want some jeopardy in the groups too?
If we kept the criss cross & did that;
1- Semis
2- Quarter Finals
3 & 4 - Preliminary Quarter Finals
5- Relegation Playoff
But- the Prelimary Quarter Finals are the week after Round 5
The Quarter Finals the following week
So your "punishment" for finishing 3rd or 4tg is playing 3 weeks in a row, and only getting a break if you beat the team that finished 2nd in the quarter finals.
Week 1- Round 5
Week 2- Preliminary QFs
Week 3- QF
Week 5- Semi Finals
Week 7- Finals
This would also mean that the team who finished 1st & 2nd don't get punished by extending the break they get.
Even if you went on to win it from finishing 3rd or 4th, you'd have played 5 games in 7 weeks. Winning all of games 2, 3, 4, 5.
I wonder is it possible to do the above with the football championship?
Might mean adjusting the start dates so Round 5 & Preliminary QFs happen when the football championship is well advanced.
I'm not sure I agree with scheduling around EP.
It's not a novelty anymore.
Do we need more teams into the SHC now? Shocking standard of club hurling. They need to take away 2 spots from the SHC. Shame on the clubs who voted for teams for their own entitlement. Hurling in Portlaoise should be ashamed of themselves also
Should never have went to 10.
If it's 8, the structure we had in 2012-2017(ish) where we had a draw after every round was streets ahead of group stages
Quote from: Border Rail 26 on September 05, 2026, 08:58:05 AMQuote from: Verbal on September 04, 2026, 05:54:47 PMQuote from: Border Rail 26 on September 03, 2026, 09:54:19 PMSenior
I think ballacolla by 5 but week after the picnic and with no pressure on they could be vulnerable to a slow and boring game which might give portlaoise a sniff.
Camross by whatever they want. Il guess 20.
Everyone has a lot of time for ballinakill and they will bring everything against the Harps but hard to see them keeping it up for a full game. It has been a couple of weeks since Justin Duggan threatened a hat trick and The Harps are the form team in lots of ways so should win by 7/8 after a battle.
The sunday games are a bit closer i think but rathdowney came out swinging the last day and will want to put a lot of pressure on borris. I have a feeling they'll come through with some comfort in the end. Rath by 8.
I would give rosenallis a chance as borris without scully are a bit weakened. Im going to go for a tense and low scoring draw that knocks borris out.
Rathdowney and the harps would be some tasty 1/4 final and the winner would have some cut off ballacolla or camross.
Senior B
Clonad and ballacolla to win in close games. Could go any way I guess.
I think rathdowney will win the relegation match easily enough.
Inter
Slieve bloom by 7 and the Harps by 5.
I think the gap between inter and senior B is as close as it has ever been.
Do you want to call the IHC game Trumera v Ballacolla there for the competition (that has no prize!)?
Ill go with ballacolla.
Big win for ballacolla last night but portlaoise still at the picnic. There has to be a look at some kind of preliminery quater-finals if the criss-crossover groups stay. How can rathdowney or borris be knocked out and portlaoise get through.
And camross could post a similar score later.
Portlaoise still at the picnic? It must have been some picnic....regardless of what went on last weekend, thats an embarrassment from our county town. I'm sure Clough/Ballacolla had lads in Stradbally to.
As far as I know!
Name. Total. Round 5
Verbal 40 7
Genocide 37 7
Ballygowan 36 8
Border Rail 34 6
Laois Heritage 32 5
Les Antiques 32 7
Thanks verbal. It wasnt a massively exiting round of matchs but abbeyleix will be delighted and will fancy there chances against rosenallis.
I would have zero sympathy for portlaoise after the last 2 games but then pat critchly is a legend and i feel for him.
The 2 quarters should be good. The Harps and abbeyleix have the scoring power but borris and rosenallis will be ready.
Where now for Rathdowney Errill?
First time with no knockout hurling since they amalgamated.
It has been heading this direction.
Camross, Clough Ballacolla, The Harps, Abbeyleix should all move away from them.
Based on current team + what's coming behind.
Castletown could break into that category.
Rosenallis & Borris Kilcotton are in my opinion as good as they are going to get.
Ballinakill aren't going to get stronger.
Quote from: Verbal on September 06, 2026, 06:00:57 PMWhere now for Rathdowney Errill?
First time with no knockout hurling since they amalgamated.
It has been heading this direction.
Camross, Clough Ballacolla, The Harps, Abbeyleix should all move away from them.
Based on current team + what's coming behind.
Castletown could break into that category.
Rosenallis & Borris Kilcotton are in my opinion as good as they are going to get.
Ballinakill aren't going to get stronger.
Some of the stuff coming out of R/E regarding management is shocking. A once seemingly well run club. Heard the players have already approached a new manager for 2027.
You may laugh at me but I actually don't think they are as poor and with a proper structure would easily be back in the top 4 for a couple more years.
Do ye know anything about Laois hurling or watching anything happening?
R/E could be relegated in the next 3 to 4 years their underage is in such a mess Blow in you obvs are not involved
Castletown have not senior quality coming through, bar one or two players off two minor panels, Abbeyleix ? I dunno where they come into the conversation
Camross are Camross and culture trumps all else
Ballacolla have moved ahead of the pack in the last few years, again building a culture for players to come thought, but are struggling underage
Portlaoise are never going to be the force they were again, not in hurling maybe in football.
The harps could potentially take over for next few years if they could make a breakthrough with the numbers they have and funding in the area,
BK will be fine too, young senior team and good juvenile club bringing through a few each year
You're a bit blinkered there re BK.
Fleming
Kilbane
Finan
Whelan
Stapleton
Campion
Foyle
Scully
Nobody could classify them as young.
Backboning senior team for last 13/14 years.
Ones below are heading for 30.
Dunphy x 2
Eoin Fitz
Parlon
When is the last strong minor team?
I don't think 1 or 2 a year is going to be enough to replace the above.
Quote from: Blow-in on September 06, 2026, 07:54:35 PMQuote from: Verbal on September 06, 2026, 06:00:57 PMWhere now for Rathdowney Errill?
First time with no knockout hurling since they amalgamated.
It has been heading this direction.
Camross, Clough Ballacolla, The Harps, Abbeyleix should all move away from them.
Based on current team + what's coming behind.
Castletown could break into that category.
Rosenallis & Borris Kilcotton are in my opinion as good as they are going to get.
Ballinakill aren't going to get stronger.
Some of the stuff coming out of R/E regarding management is shocking. A once seemingly well run club. Heard the players have already approached a new manager for 2027.
You may laugh at me but I actually don't think they are as poor and with a proper structure would easily be back in the top 4 for a couple more years.
Not a hope RE climb back into the top 4 for a few more years. They literally have nothing coming through and all their best players are moving further past their prime.
Quote from: Ogie on September 06, 2026, 09:49:25 PMDo ye know anything about Laois hurling or watching anything happening?
R/E could be relegated in the next 3 to 4 years their underage is in such a mess Blow in you obvs are not involved
Castletown have not senior quality coming through, bar one or two players off two minor panels, Abbeyleix ? I dunno where they come into the conversation
Camross are Camross and culture trumps all else
Ballacolla have moved ahead of the pack in the last few years, again building a culture for players to come thought, but are struggling underage
Portlaoise are never going to be the force they were again, not in hurling maybe in football.
The harps could potentially take over for next few years if they could make a breakthrough with the numbers they have and funding in the area,
BK will be fine too, young senior team and good juvenile club bringing through a few each year
Ballacolla are an interesting one. Have they ever truly had a period of domination underage? They obviously produce good teams.
But as long as I've known them they have a good crop one year, then a crop behind them comes along and plays in the B grades, then they might have a year of an amalgamations. Then another good crop may come along. They obviously only pick from 2 small schools so numbers will vary. Ive been told they have no class going into junior infants in one of the schools this year.
But they seem to maxamise every single player that comes along. Is it some kind of luck that will eventually run out? I'm not trying to insult the great work that they obviously do. I'm just curious about what makes them successful longterm.
Theres no better club than ballacolla to make a story about low numbers. They have always done it.
Id be amazed if there schools had no infants starting.
Not being smart and they have had a gold period but it wont last for ever. Hurling is the only sport and they dont compete with football rugby or soccer. Used to be a lot of players with the lions but very few any more.
The Harps, castletown and camross (maybe borris) will be the top tier soon just look at consistent underage success.
There is a point that Ogie makes re Castletown.
Their conversion of great minors to very good seniors has been very poor over the last 5-6 years.
Guys haven't really made the expected step up.
Thoughts on the weekend's games:
CB - As expected, they're starting to kick into gear. Obviously against weak opposition, but to have a team of quality hurlers pinging ball to hand all over the field with Aidan Corby & Steven Bergin on the bench.. its a real show of strength. And worth noting, their 2nd team winning with a team full of kids to add to the previous comment.
Portlaoise - They have a trend of starting the championship strong and put in a decent result/performance but consistently die off and lose players later in the campaign. It wouldn't be right losing 2x games in a row by 20+ points and getting to a 1/4 final.
RE - As already remarked, this downfall has been coming for years. With the majority of their underage teams competing in the B grades, and not overly successful even at that. Add in the quality of players they've lost in the past 5 years. Laois greats like Joe Fitz & Dubhie to Eric Kileen, these established senior players have been replaced by intermediate standard players. These players are actually 30 years old and played with their 2nd team for 10 years, and are only making the senior team by default. In 3 years - Paddy Purcell will be 37, Worker & Tadhg Dowling 36, Jack Kelly 33.. Unfortunately, this is a great club entering the wilderness.
Rosenallis - Looking a solid side. Some decent hurlers, a little limited for talisman forwards. Johno proving to have really done a fine job with them. A really promising coach to have within. I can see him having a strong case for taking the Laois job in the next 5 years. He will have alot of respect and obviously the heart to do the job.
BK - Not flowing overly well. Scully gone, Still have a nice team and will have a big performance in them when it's needed. Hard to see them beating a CB or Camross but I can see them keeping their best performance for this type of game but ultimately losing a semi.
Camross - Like any club, Without their best 2 forwards in Mark Dowling & Mossy they lacked the killer instinct and fear but they still have solid players in young Cuddy in the corner, Collier and Eoin Gaughan who's an excellent club hurler. A little similar to CB, they're a step ahead of the rest.
Harps - the 2 Duggan's have the X factor. It was James's day this time, I imagine he scored 2-4 or 2-5 from play. 2-2 of which were outstanding scores. The goals he gets are genius, He is a class act. A Laois full forward line without Mossy & Duggan at this stage is doing the county team a disservice. Harps having probably the most impressive management team also they look good. But anything other than reaching a county final will be a failure for them.
Ballinakill - just didn't have enough in them. They don't have a Duggan that can produce the magic anymore. Cha is 32, and playing a a QB role which removes an element of power up top for them. Downey & Podge Lalor missing are 2 solid back men also which they can't afford to lose. Obviously, Downey is gone for years but as an overall picture for a small club that do punch above their weight.
Looking forward to the next stage.
Abbeyleix was story of the weekend for me. I watched them against CB in Round 4 and they were so poor, completely lost their shape (especially upfront) and looked like a team that weren't bothered. I know they have a stronger team available now but they were transformed in two weeks and looked like a team that really wanted the win. They will beat Rosenallis on that showing and make a semi final. You would not have thought that a few weeks back.
I know people will put the boot in on R/E and it is easy after the event. But after beating Ballinakill in Rd1, they really should have beaten camross in Rd2 when they went 9 up. They actually played well and got caught. Again in Rd3 against Rosenallis went from 6 down and a man down to 3 up and could not hold on for a draw with the ball in their hand in midfield. Played some great hurling down to 14 men but shot themselves in the foot with a stupid sending off. Rd4 was a good performance against a very poor Portlaoise. Yesterday v Abbeyleix was very flat apart from first 20mins really. I'm not sure what is going on in there in terms of s and c training but they seem to be missing players all year. Padraig Rafter and Liam O'Connell again yesterday, both county men in the last couple of years sitting on the line and not available. In the context of Eric Killeen, Brandon McGinly and Ross King leaving Ireland in 2025, the team that was in the final in 2024 is just not available to them. I looked at their bench yesterday and it was very limited in my view. Surprising for a club who won the Prem Intermediate League this year.
Pity about the last game, with RE beaten it was the ultimate dead rubber. I'm not sure either team learned much. It just gave Harps and Abbeyleix a chance to see who they'll be facing, and did as much for them as it did for BK and Rosenallis.
I was also at the Portlaise and CB game on Friday night. The less said the better. At least Portlaoise, who lost their last 2 games by a combined 56 points are spared the embarrassment of a quarter final.
Ctown won the last 2 minor finals some of them lads won't make breakthrough at adult level for a few years yet if they ever do lads have to get stronger and fill out first. But there is some good lads coming out of those 2 minor teams. There in the junior B and A finals plus Premier intermediate sfinal so numbers must be good out there.
Quote from: KyleExile on September 06, 2026, 11:50:40 PMQuote from: Ogie on September 06, 2026, 09:49:25 PMDo ye know anything about Laois hurling or watching anything happening?
R/E could be relegated in the next 3 to 4 years their underage is in such a mess Blow in you obvs are not involved
Castletown have not senior quality coming through, bar one or two players off two minor panels, Abbeyleix ? I dunno where they come into the conversation
Camross are Camross and culture trumps all else
Ballacolla have moved ahead of the pack in the last few years, again building a culture for players to come thought, but are struggling underage
Portlaoise are never going to be the force they were again, not in hurling maybe in football.
The harps could potentially take over for next few years if they could make a breakthrough with the numbers they have and funding in the area,
BK will be fine too, young senior team and good juvenile club bringing through a few each year
Ballacolla are an interesting one. Have they ever truly had a period of domination underage? They obviously produce good teams.
But as long as I've known them they have a good crop one year, then a crop behind them comes along and plays in the B grades, then they might have a year of an amalgamations. Then another good crop may come along. They obviously only pick from 2 small schools so numbers will vary. Ive been told they have no class going into junior infants in one of the schools this year.
But they seem to maxamise every single player that comes along. Is it some kind of luck that will eventually run out? I'm not trying to insult the great work that they obviously do. I'm just curious about what makes them successful longterm.
I'd imagine that's potentially Ballacolla School that has those numbers. I think Clough fares slightly better in terms of numbers. My nephew was in Ballacolla a few years ago and there were only two in his class, one boy and one girl.
As to how long they can stay at the top, or close to it, that's hard to call. As you said, they do seem to maximise what they bring through. And those young lads are growing up watching county-winning teams as they develop, which to me is probably the most important part.
So many teams struggle to make that breakthrough simply because they don't know how to win at the top level. When you're coming through in a setup where winning is already the expectation, and you've grown up watching the lads ahead of you do it, that's a massive advantage.
Quote from: Verbal on September 06, 2026, 05:23:16 PMAs far as I know!
Name. Total. Round 5
Verbal 40 7
Genocide 37 7
Ballygowan 36 8
Border Rail 34 6
Laois Heritage 32 5
Les Antiques 32 7
(https://i.postimg.cc/kGKsLB1w/Leaderboard-2026-R5.jpg)
Updated for you.
Cheers-
SCFC actually had 4 in Round 5, so now has a total of 9.
I missed that
Seeing as I am making this up as I go along, it will be 2 points per game in the knockout stages.
3 for a draw.
Score at end of normal time counts for the above.
So, for example, Abbeyleix beating Rosenallis after extra time next weekend would be Draw, not an Abbeyleix win.
Senior Hurling Championship
Ballinakill v Ballyfin
Abbeyleix v Rosenallis
Borris Kilcotton v The Harps
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Castletown v Colt Shanahoe
Camross v Clough Ballacolla
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Mountrath v The Harps
Abbeyleix v Slieve Bloom
Quote from: Verbal on September 13, 2026, 08:06:22 AMSeeing as I am making this up as I go along, it will be 2 points per game in the knockout stages.
3 for a draw.
Only the one draw, so far, across all the grades, I think?!
Senior Hurling Championship
Ballinakill v Ballyfin
Abbeyleix v
RosenallisBorris Kilcotton v
The HarpsPremier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Castletown v Colt Shanahoe
Camross v Clough Ballacolla
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Mountrath v The Harps
Abbeyleix v
Slieve Bloom
Senior Hurling Championship
Ballinakill v Ballyfin
Abbeyleix v Rosenallis
Morris Kilcotton v The Harps
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Castletown v Colt Shanahoe
Camross v Clough Ballacolla
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Mountrath v The Harps
Abbeyleix v Slieve Bloom
Cbolla have a decent second team don't write them off.
I think a lot of pressure on borris who have been in a few finals in last few years and might think that time is running out in some way. The Harps picked up a couple of knocks last weekend but might like being udnerdogs and there goal-power might be enough. The Harps by 3.
I have a feeling rosenalis might have peaked to soon but abbeyleix were so bad earlier and I still think rosenallis will find a way. Could be very close though so I'll call a draw and rosenalis after extra time.
Relegation final has to be ballinaiill. Ill back them by 8.
Ive the other predictions in the other group but ive gone for castketown, camross, the Harps, slieve bloom and castletown in Junior.
Ballinakill v Ballyfin - Ballinakill
Abbeyleix v Rosenallis - draw
Borris Kilcotton v The Harps-draw
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Castletown v Colt Shanahoe - Castletown
Camross v Clough Ballacolla - C/B
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Mountrath v The Harps - The Harps
Abbeyleix v Slieve Bloom- S/B
Ballinakill v Ballyfin - Ballyfin
Abbeyleix v Rosenallis - Abbeyleix
Borris Kilcotton v The Harps- Borris
Would not be surprised at all to see Ballyfin win the relegation final. Looking at the last game for both teams, Ballyfin played well albeit a mgaunar a camross team that was coasting. Ballinakill were very poor against the Harps and have been all season. Think Ballyfin by a point or two.
Abbeyleix to get over Rosenalis. They looked very poor early on but against Rathdowney they seemed to come to life. I really like Rosenalis but i just think they'll be a bit short personell wise to get it done.
People labelling the harps as underdogs is funny. Time for them to step up now after being blown up all season. We will see.
Senior Hurling Championship
Ballinakill v Ballyfin
Abbeyleix v Rosenallis
Borris Kilcotton v The Harps
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Castletown v Colt Shanahoe
Camross v Clough Ballacolla
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Mountrath v The Harps
Abbeyleix v Slieve Bloom
i was actually torn between Ballyfinn and ballinakill. i wouldnt be terribly shocked if ballyfinn won, but i am going for Bkill on form?? if that makes sense :-\
abbeyliex wont fear rosenallis and thye have come into this off the back of a good win. Rosenallis off the back of two losses, could be hard for them to get the win
BK & Harps, gone for BK and i think the harps will do a harps on it.
Funny how the Harps have gone from the form team to outsiders !!
Not in the predictor but I'll go with:
Ballyfin and Ballinakill - a draw. A lot of stake. Ballyfin improving and Ballinakill struggling for form
Abbeyleix v Rosenallis - I think Abbeyleix will find it a bit easier to score and might just shade it
Harps v BK - For BK a lot depends on holding the Duggans and keeping the free count down, they might just edge it
Should be three decent games. Hope the weather holds up.
Laois Heritage & SCFC not in yet from what I can see
Total Round 6
Verbal 52 12
Genocide 47 10
Border Rail 44 10
Ballygowan 42 6
Les Antiques 40 8
Laois Heritage 32 0 (No Entry Rnd 6)
Laois 345 16 0
SCFC 9. 0 (No Entry Rnd 6)
Huge congrats to rosenallis firstly and the Friel family after the late winner. Tough week and there mam would be smiling down proudly. I only saw the second half and it was a stop&start kind of game. I thought abbeyleix had done enough but rosenallis finished the game well. Hard to see them beat camross without a lot of improvement but mark dowling will be a big loss if out with the knee.
The second game was a bit disappointing as a specticle but i think the better team won. Borris gave there all but lacked the same scoring threats as The Harps. I dont think The Harps payed anything close to what there capable of and the referee was hard on them at times but they did enough and for all the talk of the forwars it was the defensive spine of Podge and Cody that led the way. Bobby Murphy was outstanding in goals too and will be in with laois next year ive heard.
Hopefully two great semis to come. Camross and ballacolla will presumeabably start as faves but i reckon there could be fireworks and a shock...or 2.
(https://i.postimg.cc/k4NpkNGw/Leaderboard-2026-R6.jpg)
Updated table after QFs and Relegation Final.
With Mark Dowling gone i can see dan delaney being camross outball with mossy sweeping around doing most damage , i wounldnt be too suprsied to see a bit of an upset if im honest but think camross should do enough
Ballacolla and HARPS to be a cracker with ballacolla just having enough to get over line
New rules again!
From here on
4 points for a win
5 points for a draw
Score at end of normal time counts for the above.
Senior Hurling Championship
Camross v Rosenallis
Clough Ballacolla v The Harps
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Castletown v Camross
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Slieve Bloom v The Harps
Ive a feeling both games will be tight.
I think camross have the best single performance of the year from round 1 but havent quiet hit those levels since. If they play to there best then i think they will win but rosenallis will be quitly confident after beating abbeyleix the last day and will think that if they can some how stop mossy that they have a massive chance.
Smart money is on camross so ill go with them.
Ballacolla were really good against portlaois but had only bin ok before that and lost challenge matches to st martins and balygunner (heavy loss) in the last few weeks. A few rumours around injurys to the 2 mahers and suddenly they will be a bit less confident than they usually are. The Harps if they have everyone fit will be very close but a couole of players strugglin with injurys apparently. I have heard Ken Hogan has them really strong on focusing on a big perfromence and i think that is the right msg for such a young team.
I think that ballacolla will start as favourites but there manager is in his 1st year and Ken Hogan has done this at the highest level in 3 counties now. That might count for a lot in such a tight game.
Prediction - Draw
And i can only see casletown winning the senior b. They have too much scoring power i think with lots of young lads who have speed as well.
"rosenallis will be quitly confident after beating abbeyleix the last day "
Lol
Senior Hurling Championship
Camross v Rosenallis
Clough Ballacolla v The Harps
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Castletown v Camross
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Slieve Bloom v The Harps -Draw
I think camross will have too much for RS. i thought the last day the harps would do a harps, but feck it i am going for them this weekend. they might get CB on the hop.
Castletown just too strong for that grade, its like an U14 team playing in a U12 division
intermediate, i was going for SB, but feck it i am going for a draw.
Quote from: Border Rail 26 on September 30, 2026, 08:43:51 PMIve a feeling both games will be tight.
I think camross have the best single performance of the year from round 1 but havent quiet hit those levels since. If they play to there best then i think they will win but rosenallis will be quitly confident after beating abbeyleix the last day and will think that if they can some how stop mossy that they have a massive chance.
Smart money is on camross so ill go with them.
Ballacolla were really good against portlaois but had only bin ok before that and lost challenge matches to st martins and balygunner (heavy loss) in the last few weeks. A few rumours around injurys to the 2 mahers and suddenly they will be a bit less confident than they usually are. The Harps if they have everyone fit will be very close but a couole of players strugglin with injurys apparently. I have heard Ken Hogan has them really strong on focusing on a big perfromence and i think that is the right msg for such a young team.
I think that ballacolla will start as favourites but there manager is in his 1st year and Ken Hogan has done this at the highest level in 3 counties now. That might count for a lot in such a tight game.
Prediction - Draw
And i can only see casletown winning the senior b. They have too much scoring power i think with lots of young lads who have speed as well.
Intermediate?
Senior Hurling Championship
Camross v Rosenallis
Clough Ballacolla v The Harps
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Castletown v Camross
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Slieve Bloom v The Harps
There could very easily be a novel final pairing, but I've just played it safe because I don't see where the upset will be. If, as suggested here, the Mahers are injured, then - who knows. But who even knows if that's true!? All can't be well down Harps way, either, and we'll have to what what effect that'll have. Either way, I feel it's a year too soon for them.
Some fancy Rosenalis, I just feel they're too small a group with not enough back-up on the bench. But this isn't a vintage Camross, and Rosenalis won't fear them.
Could conceivably be a Harps/ Rosenalis final, just I don't have the balls to back it!
Think Castletown will win the PI by 10 points or more, and Slieve Bloom the Inter after a struggle.
Senior Hurling Championship
Camross v Rosenallis- Rosenallis by 3
Clough Ballacolla v The Harps - The Harps by 5
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Castletown v Camross - Castletown by 10
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Slieve Bloom v The Harps - Draw
Senior Hurling Championship
Camross v Rosenallis - Camross by 5
Clough Ballacolla v The Harps - CB by 2
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Castletown v Camross - Castletown by 6
Intermediate Hurling Championship
Slieve Bloom v The Harps - hard to split these, always like to see first teams winning the lower grade finals so I'll say SB by 1
Hard to see Harps beating Cbolla. Camross can be got at especially without mark Dowling they won't fancy Rosenallis running at them.
Laois Heritage outstanding still?
Presume it's Picky and Darren Maher people are saying are a doubt?
What do you mean Genocide when you say
"All can't be well down Harps way, either, and we'll have to see what effect that'll have."???
I cannot see Rosenallis or Camross being able to match Camross or Castletown respectively.
There should be 7-10 points in both games.
Rosenallis might get closer, but can't win that game.
The Harps will rise to hurl Ballacolla.
They'd love to beat them to get to a final.
Crazy that it's nearly 30 years since The Harps hurled a final.
Slieve Bloom v The Harps will be very very tight.
I am starting to change my mind on this one.
It's a big boost training with the numbers and at the level that these Harps players have been compared to Slieve Bloom.
Quote from: Verbal on October 02, 2026, 06:42:42 AMQuote from: Border Rail 26 on September 30, 2026, 08:43:51 PMIve a feeling both games will be tight.
I think camross have the best single performance of the year from round 1 but havent quiet hit those levels since. If they play to there best then i think they will win but rosenallis will be quitly confident after beating abbeyleix the last day and will think that if they can some how stop mossy that they have a massive chance.
Smart money is on camross so ill go with them.
Ballacolla were really good against portlaois but had only bin ok before that and lost challenge matches to st martins and balygunner (heavy loss) in the last few weeks. A few rumours around injurys to the 2 mahers and suddenly they will be a bit less confident than they usually are. The Harps if they have everyone fit will be very close but a couole of players strugglin with injurys apparently. I have heard Ken Hogan has them really strong on focusing on a big perfromence and i think that is the right msg for such a young team.
I think that ballacolla will start as favourites but there manager is in his 1st year and Ken Hogan has done this at the highest level in 3 counties now. That might count for a lot in such a tight game.
Prediction - Draw
And i can only see casletown winning the senior b. They have too much scoring power i think with lots of young lads who have speed as well.
Intermediate?
Thanks again verbal
I act will go for slieve bloom in this one even though i backed The Harps all year but there just a little bit of injury uncertainty around The Harps at both grades. It could lead to a player being held in reserve and that could be the crucial diff in the end. And it would be great to see a small rural club like slieve bloom getting the win.
Hopefully all the rain clears and we got some great games
Great win for slieve bloom they were the better team on the day. There support was great too i have to say and their really is something special about a first team winning these grades.
I think The Harps will really target this grade next year in a big way.
Castletown got the job done (without playing anywhere near there best) and good to have them back up senior as they have loads to work with and a juvenile club that are doing well in lots of grades. Camross are a great club and were really impressive as well. A good game.
A bit of talk in o moore Park that this might be castletowns third hurling championship of the year as they have objected to a handful of kyle players.
Sensational from the Harps!! A new era has started.
Quote from: Laois Abu on October 04, 2026, 06:13:28 PMSensational from the Harps!! A new era has started.
They were brilliant. Stuttered near the end but found a way. So many scoring threats and only for frees i dont think ballacolla had the same options for scores but then the backs were excellent to.
In fairness to ballacolla they didnt give up even tho they were second best in lots of areas and there was no drama after the game which was a little worry i had.
Camross will be a big challenge but when these teams met in july there was very little in it and mark dowling is outnow and james duggan missed that game and the camross full back line will be nervous.
Wouldn't be so sure they'll beat Camross. Maybe they will, but Camross will be licking their lips, all the same. CB didn't deserve to win, but still, clawed it back to level in injury time. Did quite a bit of fumbling on the ball, and didn't have the same threat up front as Harps. Nevertheless, it took a piece of good fortune in the end to get the win. Should be an interesting final.
Felt the passing of the mantle today alright. If they play like that, The Harps will win the final. Their backs were brilliant.
C/B will always have a chance with Picky on the field. Their team is starting to get that bit older now though and they haven't as much coming through as likes of Camross or Harps.
These are the county final line ups upon which Camross has padded their roll of honour. See Abbeyleix a few year back.
You'll earn it against Camross, even a decidedly average loooking Camross side
Safe to say the Harps have broken in to the so called top 4 in Laois. A sad demise for the likes of Borris and Rathdowney this year. Worrying times ahead in both clubs .
Quote from: Laois Abu on October 04, 2026, 10:41:29 PMSafe to say the Harps have broken in to the so called top 4 in Laois. A sad demise for the likes of Borris and Rathdowney this year. Worrying times ahead in both clubs .
Agree on both counts.
As an aside- where do Castletown stand?
They are as likely to be winning the same competition in two years time as they are to make a senior semi final
Quote from: Smallballbigballs on October 04, 2026, 10:15:52 PMThese are the county final line ups upon which Camross has padded their roll of honour. See Abbeyleix a few year back.
You'll earn it against Camross, even a decidedly average loooking Camross side
Yes absolutely.
I'd have been inclined to agree, but aside from Portlaoise in 2007 & Abbeyleix in 2023 have there actually been many such instances?
And I don't think Camross will start as raging hot favourites in this instance.
Quote from: Laois Abu on October 04, 2026, 10:41:29 PMSafe to say the Harps have broken in to the so called top 4 in Laois. A sad demise for the likes of Borris and Rathdowney this year. Worrying times ahead in both clubs .
The Harps last county final was in 98. That was a sad demise. They have never won a county final. R/E and B/K both won county finals when they had the players. Obviously R/E managed a few more but will we wait 30 years to see what a sad demise is like in reality? I'm also delighted for the Harps by the way, they were brilliant today and have county standard hurlers on every line.
Quote from: Verbal on October 04, 2026, 11:29:19 PMAs an aside- where do Castletown stand?
They are as likely to be winning the same competition in two years time as they are to make a senior semi final
I'd be astounded if they got relegated next year. Way more likely to be in a senior semi, if you ask me.
Quote from: G@@ on September 20, 2026, 10:28:19 PM(https://i.postimg.cc/k4NpkNGw/Leaderboard-2026-R6.jpg)
Updated table after QFs and Relegation Final.
If you could do the honours again please!
We'll give 10 points for the SHC final!
Total Round 7
Verbal 68 16
Genocide 59 12
Ballygowan 54 12
Border Rail 52 8
Les Antiques 48 8
Laois Heritage 32 No Entry Rnd 7
SCFC 21 12
Laois 345 16 No Entry Rnd 7
Quote from: Verbal on October 05, 2026, 09:58:50 AMIf you could do the honours again please!
We'll give 10 points for the SHC final!
(https://i.postimg.cc/C1j8h53x/shc2026-r7.png)
Hopefully this is correct!
Quote from: Gaamad1 on October 05, 2026, 08:32:13 AMSorry to be writing all cryptic, but think of why that might have to be done.
I don't think it's one bit fair to be bringing up off-field issues here, albeit in cryptic. What is happening is very unfortunate and best left for things to take their own course.
Harps will find it hard to win the final again camross. Camross will be happier bplaying harps than Cbolla.
The Harps have done well this year but they have to finish the job now. I think they have too many coming through to fall away now in the coming years like Abbeyleix did after getting to a final. Camross were awful in the 2025 Final and will be keen to make amends. Has the makings of a right good match.
People are quick to write on the demise of teams and clubs. RE mentioned a few times above as well as BK. As far as I'm aware only RE, Camross, CB have stayed in the top level in the past 20 years. They have never gone down, that stands for something. Look at the data not peoples perception or huncches. RE went to the final in 24, topped the league in 25 (didnt win it), topped the championship group in 25 (beaten semi) and finished 5th of the 10 teams in this years championship, after a very poor year. They weren't near relegation let alone going down. With a couple of lads back, a fresh set up they can be top 4 again like last year. I know the underage section are competing at B level etc but they are working hard at it. They might not have the same numbers of players coming through as others clubs but they will be competitive again next year. Maybe they are maximising the small numbers of top players coming through and staying completitive while other clubs have been wasting their resources in the last 20 years.
CB will be next to be wriiten off.
We got the most entertaining 30 minutes of Laois hurling championship yesterday for the Harps v CB 2nd half.
Delaney in the corner is some finisher. 3-1 from play and didn't strike a wide from memory. He had the luxury of going slightly under the radar (most teams focus on the 2 Duggans) which always gives another forward an opportunity to strike but not many will do it better. Ciaran Comerford was a leader up top, Podge Delaney in fairness was top class. You can't beat a physical #6. Podge Dunne was a terrier on Picky and rightly acknowledged his role on clubber sacrificing his game to allow his teammates perform. Super performance and out scored Picky from play.
CB stumbled through the championship and only hit form for the final 30 minutes, and they very nearly done it! But overall, they will be very disappointed to have left it so late to respond. Picky & Cillian Dunne really brought the fight to the harps. But I think most are happy with fresh blood breaking through. The Harps will be around for a few years. Their best players are either in their prime or yet to hit it. Great to see a Laois stalwart in Boggy getting a county final day out.
Interesting to read the comments on RE & BK. I know RE had an unhappy camp this year. They are certainly falling down the pecking order but if they had a full best team available with a Ken Hogan type manager I think they would be a problem for sure. But their team is the opposite of the harps, with their key players past their prime and their youth nowhere near the quality of the Harps. BK very similar to RE. BK didn't have the same quality of RE over the last 15 years. While they might feel they underachieved, they will be glad of the 1 county title they won. How hard they are to win.
Camross with a relatively routine victory over Rosenallis. Although Rosenallis can be proud of their campaign. Very solid and as I mentioned before, Johno is a future Laois hurling (or even football) manager.
Re the final - Is Mark Dowling out? Podge Dunne to track Mossy which is borderline impossible unless they cut out the quality supply of ball into him. Very interesting battles all over the park. Boldy - I fancy the Harps to win, they got over that semi final hurdle they struggled for so many years. Ken Hogan is a winner and I believe the players really bought into him this year, Brian Carroll also. They have the quality, obviously Camross for them will be daunting but its not a superb Camross team.
Should be a cracker and a close game either way
Yes, a very interesting few years ahead.
Camross are going nowhere.
Clough Ballacolla will definitely remain competitive. But they might not maintain current levels.
Willie Dunphy and Picky have huge mileage on the clock. They were bordering on ineffective yesterday, but were well handled in fairness.
It is hard to see The Harps, not being there or thereabouts for the next 10 years. They have quality all over, and a great age profile.
Rathdowney Errill is an interesting one. They, in theory shouldn't be able to maintain the standards of the last 20 years. They simply don't have players coming of the quality of those going.
Borris Kilcotton are in a similar situation, although I think the drop off is slightly less. There a number of very talented 20-30 year olds there too.
Ballinakill always seem to come up with ways to find players and rejuvenate. It's going to get harder. Cha will be a huge loss in the coming years.
Rosenallis have peaked too I think. They keep coming back, year on year. But a final win is beyond them.
I don't know what to make of Castletown. Lots of talent and a good age profile, but really struggled the other night.
Is the discipline there to prepare as Clough Ballacolla and Camross do?
Abbeyleix might come again - loads of hurlers and will have the odd good year (semi or final)
Portlaoise - I don't know enough about at all. They pull lads out every year that I know nothing about! Not just the transfers in- their own players too.
Im not trying to kick them when there down but im not sure theres another big push in ballacolla. They have had a brill few years but they havent had big injuries or lads in australia etc and there panel looked short yesterday with maher and pearson injured. They arent really a factor at underage grades from what i can see which isnt like them as they always had players on minor and Under 21 teams in the past and were always up there with the bigger teams even with smaller numbers.
They are still always dangerous on any day but if teams can match them with physical hurling and work rate then id wonder if they have the young forwards to really challenge the Harps and camross.
And i know they could have even won yesterday but it would have been against the form on the day if they had snook over the line.
Camross will bring a diff challenge to The Harps and they might try be physical and try to lay down markers but i have a feeling Ken hogan and brain Carroll will have the Harps ready for a historic moment for the club.
Quote from: Verbal on October 05, 2026, 01:46:54 PMYes, a very interesting few years ahead.
Camross are going nowhere.
Clough Ballacolla will definitely remain competitive. But they might not maintain current levels.
Willie Dunphy and Picky have huge mileage on the clock. They were bordering on ineffective yesterday, but were well handled in fairness.
It is hard to see The Harps, not being there or thereabouts for the next 10 years. They have quality all over, and a great age profile.
Rathdowney Errill is an interesting one. They, in theory shouldn't be able to maintain the standards of the last 20 years. They simply don't have players coming of the quality of those going.
Borris Kilcotton are in a similar situation, although I think the drop off is slightly less. There a number of very talented 20-30 year olds there too.
Ballinakill always seem to come up with ways to find players and rejuvenate. It's going to get harder. Cha will be a huge loss in the coming years.
Rosenallis have peaked too I think. They keep coming back, year on year. But a final win is beyond them.
I don't know what to make of Castletown. Lots of talent and a good age profile, but really struggled the other night.
Is the discipline there to prepare as Clough Ballacolla and Camross do?
Abbeyleix might come again - loads of hurlers and will have the odd good year (semi or final)
Portlaoise - I don't know enough about at all. They pull lads out every year that I know nothing about! Not just the transfers in- their own players too.
Good points raised, however 'Camross are going nowhere' is curious - what do you mean? As in they'll continue to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the championship or they have peaked and are going to decline? Presume you mean the former.
What way do you see the county final going?
Ha ha very good spot.
"Going nowhere" = will be around for the foreseeable
As opposed to "at nothing"
I can see the confusion!
I think The Harps will win it.
There's no reason they can't get match ups to cover the Camross dangermen.
What Camross brought on the last day wouldn't turn many games at this stage of a championship.
The Harps I'd go for at the moment anyways.
The Harps are riding the crest of a wave at the moment. CB are not the force of a few years back and The Harps hit them with absolutely everything they had and got their due rewards. I wouldn't be surprise if the next few years wie see a right rivalry develop between the Harps and Camross to be top dogs in Laois. This could be the first of few big contests between the teams that we'll get to enjoy at the business end of the season over the next few years.
CB I feel will continue to slip and cannot see any other club make significant strides in the next couple of years to be considered serious title contenders.
My prediction for the final is whatever Verbal says. Impressive predictions all through championship. He hasn't gone too far wrong all championship and don't see him getting this one wrong either!!!
I'm available for podcasts.
Quote from: Verbal on October 07, 2026, 07:35:53 AMI'm available for podcasts.
Heh! The only way anyone can beat you on the table is to look at who you predict to win the final, and pick the other team. I'm seriously thinking of tipping Camross, just because you've gone for The Harps, despite the fact I think Harps will win (and reasonably comfortably, at that)!
Camross in minor and senior finals the same day massive for any club. Harps were good last Sunday but got in for a few soft goals Darren Maher was a huge loss for Cbolla. Camross no what county final days are all about it's all new to the harps. Will be a good challenge for both teams. Ctown were poor sat night still got over the line with a young team going up they will fancy beating a few senior teams next year.
Quote from: Laois man on October 07, 2026, 09:56:32 AMCtown were poor sat night still got over the line with a young team going up they will fancy beating a few senior teams next year.
Which senior teams?
Quote from: Verbal on October 07, 2026, 06:14:55 PMQuote from: Laois man on October 07, 2026, 09:56:32 AMCtown were poor sat night still got over the line with a young team going up they will fancy beating a few senior teams next year.
Which senior teams?
I'd say most of them, actually.
To say they were poor is perhaps a bit harsh: they were nervous, and mindful not to be dragged into Camross' blackguarding. At the same time, they got some really good scores and when it was put up to them at half time, they responded well. They don't have as much young quality as Harps, but they're not far behind, and - if they can handle their talent properly - they've the potential to win a title over the next few years.
Hopefully,
I'm dubious, but it would be great to see a new team emerge.
They've shown they can may hay from weedy crops across there before but then they had generationals in David and Paul. Will see what this generation do.
But there's certainly an opening or two coming in Laois hurling with some traditional powers about to drop off, despite what some lads here are deluding themselves about. Not being competitive at underage B should have set off warning signs a long long time ago in some areas. And don't get me started on Portlaoise.
I agree there is an opening or two at the top end of Laois hurling. But that has always been there for a decent group of players/club who get their act together. The reality is that 3 Clubs have dominated the Laois Championship for the past 20 years CB 8, RE 6, Camross 5, BK 1. Its hard to make the break through and even harder to stay at the top table. Often the top-level clubs win counties with average enough looking teams because they are hard to beat in semi-finals and finals. These top teams re-set too with a new management team and fresh approach and the culture of winning and competing is passed on. I agree that it looks like there is a changing of the guard happening at the moment but it really hard to break in and stay there. The evidence is there in every hurling county around us, and in Laois.
I hope the Harps break through and they should stay at the top table given their numbers and quality. I'm not sure about Castletown yet. The tests of the Harps will be if they lose 3/4 of the current team to travelling and of course who keeps the plan on track when Hogan and Carroll move on which will happen sooner or later. (Hogan moved on after BK). They have to win one first though and I think they will, but surely Camross won't be as bad as they were in last year's final. Really looking forward to the final.
In fairness to them ballacolla squeezed everything out of their juvenile succes in the late 90s and early 00s more than many could have expected at the time. That has largely dried up tho and i think The Harps have shown how to beat them with hige energy and fitness levels so its hard to see how theyll be able to recapture that strength as they get older and The Harps enter there prime.
Rathdowney have dropped into decline and like ballacolla theyll be able to have individual games here and there but to consistently compete for championships looks beyond them.
Borris i have heard have a good underage setup but they look like a middle tier team right now. I dont know about the rest of the teams and ehere they go but maybe abbeyleix could come again if they get everyone back playing from Australia and ballyroan.
If im right and those teams are all a little off competing then you could see 2 things happen very quickly. 1 The Harps and or camross winning a lot of championships and starting a rivalry that hasnt really been there before and 2 castletown challenging very quickly to break into that second tier alongside abbeykeix boris and ballacolla/rathdowney. Casletown have a juvenile rivalry with The Harps and i respect that they have lot og good players if they can stay focused on hurling and competing at high level. There manager this year shud try stay on to keep them all improving for a few years i think. That might be the next big 3 in a few years i think
Does anyone expect camross to bring joe phelan back and i also heard a rumour that mark dowling could be available. There will be pressure on camross as they lost the final last year and beat The Harps already.
Mark Dowling is not available.
10 points for a win
12 points for a draw
Score at end of normal time counts for the above.
Senior Hurling Championship
Camross v The Harps DRAW
I think the referee chosen makes a draw more likely than usual.
Doesn't necessarily know what he's doing a lot of the time
Doesn't want to upset anyone
Harps by 6 they have a good man over them in ken hogan also has great record of winning titles with clubs.
It could really go any way with camross likely to handle the pressure better than a young Harps team. However the Harps are fearless and the 2 Duggans were held the last day and it will be hard stop them 2 games in a row so that scoring power could be the differene in the end as goals win games. I dont think camross full and corner backs will have enough
Harps by 3
Indeed. Speculation Joe Phelan might start to shore up Camross at the back a bit, and - of course - no shortage of opinion on who should and who shouldn't start for either team. Personally, I think the only thing that can stop The Harps is nerves and maybe being put off by 'sledging' and 'antics'. They're the better team, and it's theirs to lose - they may 'seize the day', as they say.
Someone said the last time they did up the pub in Cullohill, Cullohill won the county title. Maybe it's a sign!
A tentative vote for The Harps.
It should be a good game on Sunday. I can't call it. The harps look good and are a young team. A lot of that team has won underage comps so they're not fearful of anyone. On the other hand, camross have experience in finals, although lost their fair share of them too in the last 20 years. If the occasion doesn't get to the Harps, I think they can do it. I hope they do for the greater of laois hurling. but for the purpose of our tipping comp I'm going for a draw. (cos verbal has too ;D )
Harps V Camross - Draw
The Harps full forward line and half back kine.
I don't think Camross can get on top in both of these areas.
That might well be the difference
Camross by 5
Camross by 1. They are "hard bet"!