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Ref in last night's game between Graiguecullen and O'Dempseys did well for most of the game but disgraceful referring in the last 20 minutes ruined it for him. Graiguecullen deserved at least 5 frees in a 3 minute spell, all within 30 yards of the goal and didn't get one which resulted in a few skirmishes. It was played in great spirits before that but whatever got into his head he destroyed the game. When he did award them a free O'Dempseys held on to the ball delaying time and instead of bringing it forward he threw up the ball and that happened 2 or 3 times. He then gave a second yellow to a graiguecullen player because he was trying to retrieve the ball quickly as the game was almost over...

I agree with you that some of the decisions were questionable  particularly in the second half . However I don't think Graigue deserved anything last night . Something amiss with Graigue I felt .

They streamed club games from the later stages of the 2022 Laois Club Championships  so hard to know what they'll do this year . Unlikely imo .

Arles-Killeen v Clonaslee St Manman's is one of two fixtures scheduled for outside OMP . Scheduled for Ratheniska Saturday evening .

Great memories and great times . A lot of it a blur . I Recall from the Top Square right down to Charlie Keegans and Humes been one big street party on the Monday . Unforgettable

Camross looked sharp in first game but Castletown were very poor

Rathdowney Errill Clough Ballacolla never came to life after the heavy rain at start of game, both sets of forwards poor on the night apart from Ross King, who was the difference.

€10 in for each game, a page for a programme, no team / change announcements, no injury / extra time indicated by officials

Rathdowney/E and C/B was fairly poor fare . Conditions didn't help but didn't feel like championship fare . King ultimately was the difference. The lack of announcements was peculiar. You might as well played that match in Abbeyleix or Mountrath if we are not making use of the facilities in OMP . Would have been more of an atmosphere anyway as that was pretty sterile last night .

Don't believe Shanahan will be back next year .

Ballyfin v Portarlington
Port to come through this but not as comfortable as people expect . Ballyfin will cause teams a few headaches this year . Port by 6

Ballyroan-Abbey v Park-Ratheniska
This match is set for Stradbally Friday Week . Don't think it will be as straightforward for Ballyroan as one may think. Park have targeted the Ballyroan match since the draw and Sugrue will have them very well set up . Could be interesting. Ballyroan by the bare minimum.

Stradbally v Courtwood
Stradbally for me will be one to watch this year . Championship primed under O'Dwyer and have all the big hitters back this year . Stradbally by 5

The Heath v Killeshin
The Heath had a more than decent league campaign. Killeshin seem to have a fresh lease of life under Kelly . Have a feeling The Heath may have peaked too soon this year . Killeshin by 3

Portlaoise v St Joseph's
Tough one to call this . Nothing between these teams . Portlaoise at full strength might just snatch it .

O'Dempsey's v Graiguecullen
This should also go to the wire . Fancy a draw in the one .


Arles-Killeen v Clonaslee St Manman's
Clonaslee by 7 . Don't think Kileen will survive this year .

Emo v Rosenallis
Another close one . Emo seem to be motoring along nice and little under the radar . Rosenallis are down a few stalwarts I believe . Emo by a goal

Venues yet to be decided for quite a few of the opening SFC matches seemingly.

I understand that .However I would argue Carlow town has an equally diverse community with a slightly larger population and since Knockbeg lost its boarding status the demographics have changed considerably.
Ultimately it's about getting the right people into these schools who are qualified and have the necessary resources and organisational skills .

You need individuals within the schools to drive and establish connections with students . Portlaoise, Knockbeg, Ballyfin and Heywood were all huge conveyor belts for Laois teams back in the 90s and 2000s . Those college teams were all backed by hard core GAA driven individuals . It's starts with the school and the individuals in charge .

Someone alluded to the fact that not all schools want GAA and that's true . They obviously feel the need to prioritise different programs/agendas etc . The interest has to be there at the top for any progress to be made .
I recall when attending secondary school years ago making the football and hurling teams were always on your mind and competition was fierce . Different times I realise but what percentage of the 900 students in Portlaoise CBS have any real interest in playing GAA with there school ?

Sheehan stepped down last night .

Con is injured I believe

Lol

So what needs to happen Spiritof86? They've made calls for additional help and nobody answered the call. Surely that tells you that they have lost the Laois public?

Absolutely they have lost the Laois public High Fielder . That trust has long gone .

There is a complete lack of transparency . The County Board is essentially a closed book .
I've no idea what happens next . It is more than likely going to take a couple of individuals who are currently involved in the county board to make a significant stand .

As much as the local media may write a semi controversial article or people post their distaste on social media nothing will happen until a couple of individuals directly involved with the County Board make an emphatic statement about the current malaise .

We need to stop comparing ourselves to Offaly . They have a history of winning Leinster titles and All-Irelands . We do not have the same history .
We have no one of Michael Duignans calibre at the moment.

Conditions been right is an easy scapegoat . Between Colm Browne's first reign as Laois manager and the appointment of Justin McNulty I didn't see wholesale changes at County Board level . Correct me if I'm wrong . Same faces perhaps different roles .

Ah god . Deepest condolences to his family. Saw him hurling last year. Lovely person and family . RIP young man .

The silence from the County Board is deafening. We need to hear from them. Their reaction to Sunday's debacle should not be kept behind closed doors. They need to talk to the wider Laois GAA public.

They owe it to the people who buy the jerseys, the match day tickets, even those who support Laois GAA by entering the All County Draw. Most of these people do not have access to secretive County Board meetings.

Deafening!!? Really ?Ah would you stop . It's  been three days ffs .  Yes they are  as culpable as anyone else in this mess but this is not the Premier league here .
Things will happen and Sheehan will be gone and the current CB will be come under scrutiny deservingly and be replaced .

However let's look at the alternatives lads . There is no one exactly putting their hand up here . There is a ballot and vote every year and I have seen no new individuals willing to put their lot in with Laois or even attempt too in the past 5-8 years . There has been a few half hearted attempts and when the going gets tough they feck off . These are all voluntary positions for the most part .

Saying that this whole concept in place of secret County Board meetings is absolutely ludicrous . This initially was meant to be a 6 month thing but yet here we are ..