Messages

Can't play County Final on Saturday but the hurlers of The Harps, Portlaoise, Clough Ballacolla & Borris Kilcotton can go to Carlow tonight put on a Laois Jersey & hurl a practice game 🙃🤪🙃🤪

I know but John Horan openly said the games are not the issue, its the scenes that have follow the recent county final wins where the problem lies. And unfortunately some counties also took the biscuit with their allowance of numbers into the ground, especially when most off these games are being televised or stream for all to see! I do agree though that if they were going to pull the plug it should have been for all, this just creates more club v county debate that is not needed now!!!

I know. There was no stopping the Dublin games when they were 'lock-down', was there?

This is a very good point. I know the situation is unprecedented but this kind of thing is very hard to take when there are inconsistencies like the ones you've mentioned above.

The scenes from around the country at the weekend were a disgrace. GAA HQ had to act if they wanted to maintain any semblance of credibility. It looked like there was at least 400 in the stand at one match which showed a blatant disregard for the rules.   

Completely agree. There must have been 500 at the Meath football final. And then the Blackrock parade didn't help at all. Some people just have to take a mile when they're given an inch.

The Meath county final was ridiculous. There was well over 500 people at that and it live for all to see on TV. You could see this coming, scenes were getting worse week by week as the county finals were been played out in each county...

[There is a huge lot of parents who were already concerned for sending their kids back to school as it is under these so called controlled measures.]

I'm actually told the GAA has just said there'll be no schools' matches until after Christmas, at least.

Yes it will be at least after Christmas before there is any form of schools games for any activity, not just GAA. There is a huge lot of parents who were already concerned for sending their kids back to school as it is under these so called controlled measures. There would be absolute uproar ip Kid A complained that he or she had to sit beside Kid B who spent the morning playing/tackling someone in a schools football/hurling/rugby match etc...

Not a huge amount. A recent survey concluded that 33% were somewhat concerned - the other 66% probably threw a party on the morning of September 1st - I heard anecdotal accounts of parents going to the local hotel/cafe/restaurant to order the full Irish breakfast in celebration. Too right, the audacity of the state expecting parents to home-school kids during May/June was a disgrace. They should have been back then. If Kid A's mommy/doddy has an issue with their kid sitting beside Kid B then it's not the right time for Kid A to return to school and mommy/doddy should ensure that they provide the education - one would think they'd be almost experts at this stage considering their stint from mid-March to June.

No need for the aggressive attack. I am only stating my opinion on how I think this will play out. I am no massive supporter of this government but what did you expect them to do in May/June when pretty every country in the world was adopting the same policy regarding home schooling and its precisely whey they wont be rushing kids back to the sports fields in schools because the last thing they want is the schools closed again!

I'm actually told the GAA has just said there'll be no schools' matches until after Christmas, at least.

Yes it will be at least after Christmas before there is any form of schools games for any activity, not just GAA. There is a huge lot of parents who were already concerned for sending their kids back to school as it is under these so called controlled measures. There would be absolute uproar ip Kid A complained that he or she had to sit beside Kid B who spent the morning playing/tackling someone in a schools football/hurling/rugby match etc...

Castletown have put out a good few strong juvenile teams over the last few years so I would expect that they will improve considerably but it won't be quick. Like all clubs with a small catchment area, it is very challenging to rise to the level that Castletown were at when they were completely dominant. They have a handful of good hurlers but far too many that are not at the standard, or too young. Still, I can't see them being a force again unless they fully amalgamate with SB.

Rathdowney Errill hammered them last year too.

I am no longer living at home so I would not be fully up to date on the juvenile scene but good to see that they are doing well at underage again. I was always a firm believer that Laois need 7/8 competitive senior clubs to complete consistently as Liam MacCarthy level. With R/E, Camross, B/K and C/B seemingly miles ahead of the pack, wouldn't it be great to have a strong Portloaise, Abbeyleix, Castletown and Haprs teams to throw in the mix.

On a plus side, great to see Rosenallis coming on. Sounds like there is been great work been done up there.

Yes, the Rosenallis story is very impressive. Whatever about beating Camross in their first year senior in many years, putting them out of the championship so emphatically and probably getting to the semis is a whole different achievement. Their underage structures also suggest they can push on. Nobody will take them lightly in the last four, that's for sure.

Yes hopefully they can sustain it now at underage for the next few years and stay competitive at senior. I remember during the 80's and 90's Clough Ballacolla would have been a junior to intermediate main stay and now they are one of the powerhouses in Laois, successful and competitive at all grades over a number a years. No reason why Rosenallis cant follow a similar trend.

Castletown have put out a good few strong juvenile teams over the last few years so I would expect that they will improve considerably but it won't be quick. Like all clubs with a small catchment area, it is very challenging to rise to the level that Castletown were at when they were completely dominant. They have a handful of good hurlers but far too many that are not at the standard, or too young. Still, I can't see them being a force again unless they fully amalgamate with SB.

Rathdowney Errill hammered them last year too.

I am no longer living at home so I would not be fully up to date on the juvenile scene but good to see that they are doing well at underage again. I was always a firm believer that Laois need 7/8 competitive senior clubs to complete consistently as Liam MacCarthy level. With R/E, Camross, B/K and C/B seemingly miles ahead of the pack, wouldn't it be great to have a strong Portloaise, Abbeyleix, Castletown and Haprs teams to throw in the mix.

On a plus side, great to see Rosenallis coming on. Sounds like there is been great work been done up there.

Great result for Rosenalis, Camross just weren't able to live with their speed and physicality especially in the middle third. Outfought and out-thought on the line too.

Abbeyleix result flattered them, Ballacolla looked fit and have a very potent forward line. The same with Borris Kk who put Balinakill to the sword.

Castletown were absolutely dreadful, zero plan of attack. With Slieve Bloom going well in the Prem. Intermediate the conversion might swith to if they can get a dash of blue on the side of their jerseys for the next amalgamation and not the other way around.

What has happened to Castletown? I'm not expecting them to be the team of the 90/00's year in year out but how can they have gone this far for such hurling focused/committed parish.

I must be living under the same rock as Ogie because I also expect games come the autumn.
The rate in the increase of cases is under 1% and falling; if this continues then it is absolutely feasible that we could have contact sport in 3 months time.

Of course, maybe we wont but the rush from some people to draw a line through the year and rule everything out is tiresome.

Is it such a bad thing to maintain the hope that we'll have an autumn of hurling and football?
Is it such a bad thing that young lads can continue to train and exercise in the hope that they'll get to be part of a team environment down the line?

I'd imagine most club players are still doing some running and maybe conditioning work if they can. There will be an ebb and flow; some weeks there'll be savage motivation, other weeks it'll wane.

The priority for us all is to stay healthy....and that includes mentally.
I'm perfectly happy to keep in the back of my mind that we could have a condensed club season in the autumn. I'd imagine plenty are thinking similarly.

And if it turns out we don't; so be it.

I am not trying to be negative or bring people down. I would love noting more than to be heading to Croker or to O Moore Park for club championship action this weekend, I miss it something fierce like the majority of gaels. But we also have to be realistic, this is going to get worse before it gets better as we try get out of this nightmare step by step and if you just listing to any of the experts, social distancing will be the very last thing yo be removed and that is not happening in 2020 I am afraid!

Have to agree with Batman. there is no chance of any GAA action this year, John Horan effectively outlined that there will be no games or training session if social distancing is still in play and social distancing is not going away before the end of the year i'm afraid!! There would also be uproar if someone passes away from getting covid directly or indirectly due to a hurling or football match and the GAA simply wont allow themselves to be in that position!

Definitely a hurl in Laois. In most of Munster it'd be a 'hurley'.

I would say that those who call it a hurl are in a minority among hurling counties. "Two hands on the hurl" is definitely stronger in Laois and Wexford at matches! Munster and Galway call it a hurley. Not sure about Offaly, Kilkenny or Westmeath. A quick search of makers shows mostly 'hurley makers' but I did see hurl makers in Dublin and Wexford.

A "hurl" in Kilkenny and Offaly too. The trend seems to be Munster and Galway its "hurley" and Leinster its a "hurl"

Listening to Sambo McNaughton last night talking about walking down the streets in the 6 counties with hurls in their hands and what that symbolized. It seems it may well be a North / East thing (Ulster / Leinster) to call it a hurl and a South / West (Munster / Galway) to call it a hurley. Camán does the trick, immune from regional varation.

It funny as I don't think people from our region particular care either way whats its called. But I remember when I hurled in Sydney for a few years, there was a few Cork lads on our team and anytime anybody referred to it as a "hurl" you could nearly see their heads explode. They just couldn't fathom it.

Definitely a hurl in Laois. In most of Munster it'd be a 'hurley'.

I would say that those who call it a hurl are in a minority among hurling counties. "Two hands on the hurl" is definitely stronger in Laois and Wexford at matches! Munster and Galway call it a hurley. Not sure about Offaly, Kilkenny or Westmeath. A quick search of makers shows mostly 'hurley makers' but I did see hurl makers in Dublin and Wexford.

A "hurl" in Kilkenny and Offaly too. The trend seems to be Munster and Galway its "hurley" and Leinster its a "hurl"

The change of format doesn't help at all. The previous format was very cut & thrust. Awaiting a draw after each round, trying to avoid certain teams etc. This format, to me, has removed that excitement and unpredictability. Back to the dreary plotting and planning ahead.

Under the old format, tomorrow evening you would have Borris, Ballacolla, Castletown & probably Rathdowney going into a hat.  3 of them hoping for Castletown.
Similarly you would have had Camross, Portlaoise, Abbeyleix & probably Ballinakill. 3 of them praying they didn't get Camross.

This new format in it's second year has done nothing to improve standards, interest, excitement or attendance. Time to revert!

The format won't fix much at this time. 3 or 4 years ago Clough Ballacolla, Abbeyleix and Ballinakill were competitive. Hard to see any of them being competitors now and Portlaoise look intermediate standard. Castletown are the only improving senior team with a pipeline but are still a good bit back as yet.

A bit understated to say Clough Ballacolla were only 'competitive' 3 or 4 years ago. Considering they won it 4 years ago and were pipped by a point in the final 2 years ago. Yes their not the same team but they are well ahead of Abbeyleix and Ballinakill to their credit.

Fair enough - CB were one of the form teams up to about 2 years ago. They were poor last year and look to be ageing. Their senior success was built on the back of a run of very strong minor teams which has dried up in the last few years as you would expect from a fairly small rural club. No disrespect intended and hopefully things turn around. The general point I was making is that there are fewer strong senior teams in the last couple of years due to a drop (temporary I would imagine) in the form of some of the better clubs. I also agree they are a good bit stronger than Ballinakill or Abbeyleix and still have plenty of very strong hurlers. Even if you include CB in a top 4, there is a chasm down to the next level of Ballinakill, Portlaoise, Abbeyleix and to a lesser extent Castletown at this stage. Not that it was ever any different in Laois mind you. Historically in any given year there have been a max of 4 really competitive teams.

Agree, this year it does look like a shoot-out between only B/K, R/E and Camross to see who claims the crown. However, there has been far less competitive years in Laois hurling down through the decades. This year I think Rathdowney/Erill will have too much for the rest.

The change of format doesn't help at all. The previous format was very cut & thrust. Awaiting a draw after each round, trying to avoid certain teams etc. This format, to me, has removed that excitement and unpredictability. Back to the dreary plotting and planning ahead.

Under the old format, tomorrow evening you would have Borris, Ballacolla, Castletown & probably Rathdowney going into a hat.  3 of them hoping for Castletown.
Similarly you would have had Camross, Portlaoise, Abbeyleix & probably Ballinakill. 3 of them praying they didn't get Camross.

This new format in it's second year has done nothing to improve standards, interest, excitement or attendance. Time to revert!

The format won't fix much at this time. 3 or 4 years ago Clough Ballacolla, Abbeyleix and Ballinakill were competitive. Hard to see any of them being competitors now and Portlaoise look intermediate standard. Castletown are the only improving senior team with a pipeline but are still a good bit back as yet.

A bit understated to say Clough Ballacolla were only 'competitive' 3 or 4 years ago. Considering they won it 4 years ago and were pipped by a point in the final 2 years ago. Yes their not the same team but they are well ahead of Abbeyleix and Ballinakill to their credit.

That's another sad part about the whole episode. Very immature behaviour towards your county teammate. Sad day for Laois hurling when that's happening. Could have huge affect in the next few months when panel is coming together.

Eddie biggest challenge was to try and get the strongest possible panel from the players available to him. This has been made next to impossible now, cant see the RE lads getting on board with whatever Camross contingent is involved. Its beginning to leave a real bitter after taste now.

Jesus, just seen the snapchats. Shocking, my view has completely changed. I gave them the benefit of the doubt, but to see players  mocking a great hurler and servant to Laois in this way is inexcusable.

I have held back on commenting on this as usually when reports like this come out it takes a few days before we find out what actually happened. Now when I seen the video and see that "tooth fairy" snap its actually disgraceful. To actually brag about putting a man in hospital with a serious facial injury in beyond belief. Laois hurling back in dark times after days like Sunday.