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After last night's senior game and the league final last week, I'd have to change my view that Portlaoise might win the IFC.
Micky Nolan is gone up as are Rogers, Mulligan, Paddy Downey, and the two young lads Maher and Ronan Mc. Along with that, t the likes of Adrian Kelly, Scott Lawless, Conor Dunphy and John Kavanagh weren't named on the panel last night so I doubt they'll play intermediate.

Portlaoise  win with a bit to spare. Hard to make sense of league form.

Must have not shown there full hand in the league final. Clever from Portlaoise.

They look the favourites for it now but have fallen at the last few hurdles in recent years so who knows.

Mountmellick and Timahoe was a poor game considering a lot of people predicted the winners of the championship would come out of it. Not too many county players on show I didn't think. Damien O'Connor was decent, but Quigley was a bit off the pace. Conor Whelehan for Timahoe might be an option.

Well Stradbally were way, way worse than I expected. Without Jody Dillon they offered nothing up front.

Killeshin were decent, especially when you consider they're missing three good lads. Stevie Attride was the best player on the park. David Aston was very good and Michael Doran showed well in spells.

Hard to know who will win tonight. Killeshin are without Deering, Lowry and Bolger due to travel. Stradbally I think are missing a few due to injury.

I'd say Stradbally might edge it with Begley and Dillon pushing them over the line. They'll do well to make the quarters though.

Easy run out for Portlaoise this evening

Didn't make the game tonight but judging by the score-line and considering they played the whole second half with 14-men, Portlaoise haven't digressed at all under Niall Rigney.

They held the likes of Frank Flanagan and Michael Dowling back as well, so I wouldn't be surprised to see their Intermediates beat Clonaslee and win the Intermediate as well.

Anyone know why Graham Brody was nowhere to be seen? On his travels?

This is another watershed year for Portlaoise, personally I think they are done. 

Genuinely asking, what signs do you see to make you believe Portlaoise are done? They performed better in the league this year, and that was without six or seven Seniors and two U-20's..

They might not be quite the team they once were, but they're still strong enough to walk another championship. Portarlington will give them their best game. In a couple of years Portarlington could well dominate, but Portlaoise should still get through this year.

Ballylinan with Gary Walsh might have been an interesting prospect , but no chance they  beat Portlaoise without him.

Championship starting Wednesday lads and barely even a whisper around the place! Anyways here's my first round predictions to get things started:

1. Portlaoise v Ballylinan: Has the makings of a decent game but without Walsh Ballylinan to lose by about 9

2. Killeshin v Stradbally: Very 50/50. Killeshin down Evan Lowry and Deering. Stradbally to win narrowly

3. Port v the Heath: Fancy Port to win handy enough. Best equipped to challenge Portlaoise

4. Joseph's v O'Dempsey's: O'D's by 6

5. Graigue v Ballyfin: Can't see anything other than a handy Graigue win. Graigue +8.

6. Killeen v Crettyard: No Cha but I fancy Cretty to scrape by. Two poor teams who'll be happy enough to face each other

7. Emo v Ballyroan: Tough one to call. Fancy Ballyroan, Emo are poor defensively

8. Courtwood v Kilcruise: Courtwood to win but only just

Only one I disagree with is Crettyard winning. They'll do very well to avoid relegation without the Spink lads. Arles-Killeen are a far cry from what they were, but should still have enough in attack to pull through.

Hurlers had the better year at Senior level. They have an opportunity now to build on this year and try to stay up in the Leinster championship next year. I saw enough from the minor and U-20 hurlers to know that they can bring more talent into the squad in the coming years.

The footballers had an average enough year in the championship, but more importantly gained promotion and will play Division 2 football next year. The standard of league football is crucial because it helps teams get up to the intensity required for playing the big boys in the championship.

The minor and U-20 footballers also have an array of talent throughout the squad, but to turn them into Senior footballers a lot of work needs to be put in with their S&C.

I just hope that both Sugrue and Brennan stay on. Those two men are some of the main reasons why football and hurling has been turned on its head in the county and there's the possibility of a bright future for Laois in both codes.

[Why do we have to wait until August for Dublin to actually play someone competitive?]

Dublin just seem to be getting better and better by every year, which is frightening. Although they haven't been fully tested yet, it's hard to see them lose with their power and fitness.

Whatever about the Super 8's, the Leinster championship needs to be abolished next year. Pointless competition. Even the Dubs must be getting sick of it.

I'd say the same about the Munster but at least Cork have the potential to trouble Kerry in the coming years. Then again it's Cork, so who knows.

How does abolishing the Leinster Championship help anything? How does the back door work? How does any Leinster team get into the Super 8's?

If Dublin play teams like Mayo, Kerry, Donegal and Tyrone regularly in June/July at least we'll get to see some competitive games.

The provincial championships just don't make any sense any more. Why are counties like Carlow and Wicklow even in the same competition as Dublin? Even Laois and Kildare are way off them.

You might get a few good games in provincial every year (Roscommon-Galway, Tyrone-Donegal), but overall it just isnt worth it.

Hopefully the league and championship competitions are switched around come next year and we can have some games to actually look forward to. Why do we have to wait until August for Dublin to actually play someone competitive?

Dublin won last year without playing any competitive games

Kerry and Donegal weren't as good last year. Kerry will definitely challenge Dublin, if not this year, in the coming years with their exciting young players.

David Brady said on Off the ball earlier that Diarmuid O'Connor will be among the subs tomorrow. He was in a cast last Sunday in Killarney so hard to believe.

I actually met an U-20 player recently who was in a cast a couple of days prior to game and started the match in full health. Wouldn't be surprised if Diarmuid O'Connor was on the bench tomorrow.

Dublin just seem to be getting better and better by every year, which is frightening. Although they haven't been fully tested yet, it's hard to see them lose with their power and fitness.

Whatever about the Super 8's, the Leinster championship needs to be abolished next year. Pointless competition. Even the Dubs must be getting sick of it.

I'd say the same about the Munster but at least Cork have the potential to trouble Kerry in the coming years. Then again it's Cork, so who knows.

How does abolishing the Leinster Championship help anything? How does the back door work? How does any Leinster team get into the Super 8's?

If Dublin play teams like Mayo, Kerry, Donegal and Tyrone regularly in June/July at least we'll get to see some competitive games.

The provincial championships just don't make any sense any more. Why are counties like Carlow and Wicklow even in the same competition as Dublin? Even Laois and Kildare are way off them.

You might get a few good games in provincial every year (Roscommon-Galway, Tyrone-Donegal), but overall it just isnt worth it.

Hopefully the league and championship competitions are switched around come next year and we can have some games to actually look forward to. Why do we have to wait until August for Dublin to actually play someone competitive?

Despite the scoreline, Dublin weren't that impressive last night. A few nice footballers scattered throughout the team, with Archer the stand out. However, a few players who I'm not sure will cut it against Cork or maybe even Galway.

Dublin just seem to be getting better and better by every year, which is frightening. Although they haven't been fully tested yet, it's hard to see them lose with their power and fitness.

Whatever about the Super 8's, the Leinster championship needs to be abolished next year. Pointless competition. Even the Dubs must be getting sick of it.

I'd say the same about the Munster but at least Cork have the potential to trouble Kerry in the coming years. Then again it's Cork, so who knows.

Meath to give Mayo their fill of it, but Mayo to grind it out in the end. If they do that, it could set up a huge game against Donegal in Castlebar providing Kerry beat Donegal tomorrow.

Don't see how Tyrone are any better than last year. If they somehow got to the final against the Dubs, they'd receive the same beating as last year, if not worse.

They'll still be difficult opposition for Kerry/Donegal in semi-finals though.