The future of laois hurling

[clonadmad]

I did a quick tally of the players and their clubs across the 3 squads

The Harps have 17
Camross 11
Abbeyleix 10
Portlaoise 9

Clough Ballacolla 8
Rathdowney Errill 8
Castletown 8

Borris Kilcotton 7
Park Ratheniska Timahoe 6
Mountrath 5

Rosenallis 5
Emo 4
Portarlington 4

Ballyfin 3
Clonad 3
Clonaslee 3

Ballinakill 2
Shanahoe 1
Mountmellick 1
Kilcavan 1

[Mossy Bruce]

I did a quick tally of the players and their clubs across the 3 squads...

Jayz. Lots of Harps! That's great!

[clonadmad]

I did a quick tally of the players and their clubs across the 3 squads...

Jayz. Lots of Harps! That's great!

I think while it's laudable to congratulate the Harps,by even this rough metric,it proves yet again the sterling work they are doing at juvenile.

But from my perspective,it's good to see the club base being broadened,the likes of Port contributing hurlers now and the concern in relation to Mountmellick.

[Spiritof1915]

Great to see laois underage hurling panelists coming from traditional football strongholds. HOPEFULLY this can promote the game further into these areas.
On a side note has anyone heard about the minor setup these year. Has Derek McGrath been able to put his stamp on the panel or is his role simply advisory.

[Mad Mentor]

Great to see laois underage hurling panelists coming from traditional football strongholds. HOPEFULLY this can promote the game further into these areas.
On a side note has anyone heard about the minor setup these year. Has Derek McGrath been able to put his stamp on the panel or is his role simply advisory.

There is a great buzz in the minor panel and Derek McGrath is very involved. Has been at almost every training session (two to three a week ) and runs the entire session. The lads love him and he has really inspired them. There is huge potential in this panel and competition is very strong. Some of the in house training matches have been at championship pace despite the conditions and weather this time of year. There are some challenge matches coming up in the next few weeks against other county teams that will be interesting. There has been great attendance from the full panel (about forty I think). 

[clonadmad]

Great to see laois underage hurling panelists coming from traditional football strongholds. HOPEFULLY this can promote the game further into these areas.
On a side note has anyone heard about the minor setup these year. Has Derek McGrath been able to put his stamp on the panel or is his role simply advisory.

There is a great buzz in the minor panel and Derek McGrath is very involved. Has been at almost every training session (two to three a week ) and runs the entire session. The lads love him and he has really inspired them. There is huge potential in this panel and competition is very strong. Some of the in house training matches have been at championship pace despite the conditions and weather this time of year. There are some challenge matches coming up in the next few weeks against other county teams that will be interesting. There has been great attendance from the full panel (about forty I think).

I hope all that you say it's true,I really do

I hope to be looking back at your post in early July when we are in a Leinster final

[Unlaoised]

Great to see laois underage hurling panelists coming from traditional football strongholds. HOPEFULLY this can promote the game further into these areas.
On a side note has anyone heard about the minor setup these year. Has Derek McGrath been able to put his stamp on the panel or is his role simply advisory.

There is a great buzz in the minor panel and Derek McGrath is very involved. Has been at almost every training session (two to three a week ) and runs the entire session. The lads love him and he has really inspired them. There is huge potential in this panel and competition is very strong. Some of the in house training matches have been at championship pace despite the conditions and weather this time of year. There are some challenge matches coming up in the next few weeks against other county teams that will be interesting. There has been great attendance from the full panel (about forty I think).

While he has been there more than expected I think this post is way over the top numbers have been good but the training matches have been okay not near championship pace as you say .
The future however looks bright if we can bulk them up a bit

[Keyser Söze]

Seems to be a marked attempt to both eulogise and discredit this particular management set up. I'd be dubious, but every post seems to be one end of the extreme or the other!

[Blow-in]

My source tells me only for Derek McGrath it would be a shambles

[Keyser Söze]

My source tells me only for Derek McGrath it would be a shambles

And is he there regularly?

[merman]

I'm only hearing positive things personally.
Not a shambles but then Batman may have higher expectations and demands more than I.

Derek McGrath has been at every training bar one. The players have been screened and have individual plans to complete between now and February. Numbers are high and training has been a mix of pitch and S&C work.
Its December; that all seems pretty good to me. I'm not really sure what more they should be doing.

There is certinly some personal resentment against the management team on here. The truth is probably somewhere between the polarised views we've seen over the last month or so. They're a committed group and have in Derek McGrath a very capable coach who seems to have taken the lead to all intents and purposes. Without him, I'd have had concerns but the fact remains we do have him and for as long ss he remains the dominant voice, that can only be a positive.
They could do everything right and still come up short in a quarter/semi-final. The added pressure and burden of expectation brought on by having a high-profile coach makes it hard for this group of players.

Very best of luck to them all. They're a talented bunch and hopefully they'll give a fair account of themselves this year.

[Laois Rising]

I think Merman makes a very good point. A talented underage team by Laois standards who do everything right could still easily fall short to a Kilkenny, Dublin or Wexford side in the Leinster championship. These counties are picking from a bigger pool of players and are always well coached at this level. If Laois are properly competitive in their games against these teams then the year will be a success.

It is very positive to hear that McGrath is taking the sessions and the players will benefit immensely for that. There is big turnouts at training and players are showing the requisite commitment. What more can you ask of lads in December.

 

[blueandwhite1]

My source tells me only for Derek McGrath it would be a shambles

This would be surprising. I have been very impressed with the Laois minor set up for quite a number of years. They have the same training facilities as a senior set up with all the supports you would expect from a nutrition, physio, transport and physical conditioning perspective. Last years setup under Enda Lyons for example was very impressive. Even when we had teams that not much was expected the setup was of a high standard. Derek McGrath might be bringing freshness to the hurling itself but to paint a picture that the approach would have been a disaster without him is unfair. 

[Helix.]

My source tells me only for Derek McGrath it would be a shambles

This would be surprising. I have been very impressed with the Laois minor set up for quite a number of years. They have the same training facilities as a senior set up with all the supports you would expect from a nutrition, physio, transport and physical conditioning perspective. Last years setup under Enda Lyons for example was very impressive. Even when we had teams that not much was expected the setup was of a high standard. Derek McGrath might be bringing freshness to the hurling itself but to paint a picture that the approach would have been a disaster without him is unfair. 

Hopefully they give a good account of themselves. Hopefully Derek McGrath's brains can be picked to help in any shape or form for player's development across the ages.

I see potentially Ballypickas look to be pulling away from Raheen Parish Gaels at juvenile level and joining with Ballinakill underage. Leaves 1-2 teams short in numbers however but logistical point of view would make sense.

[clonadmad]

My source tells me only for Derek McGrath it would be a shambles

This would be surprising. I have been very impressed with the Laois minor set up for quite a number of years. They have the same training facilities as a senior set up with all the supports you would expect from a nutrition, physio, transport and physical conditioning perspective. Last years setup under Enda Lyons for example was very impressive. Even when we had teams that not much was expected the setup was of a high standard. Derek McGrath might be bringing freshness to the hurling itself but to paint a picture that the approach would have been a disaster without him is unfair. 

Hopefully they give a good account of themselves. Hopefully Derek McGrath's brains can be picked to help in any shape or form for player's development across the ages.

I see potentially Ballypickas look to be pulling away from Raheen Parish Gaels at juvenile level and joining with Ballinakill underage. Leaves 1-2 teams short in numbers however but logistical point of view would make sense.

It's that time of year when the bed hopping starts

In the last 2 years

Ballinakill have been in with Ratheniska and Abbeyleix at Juvenile level.

Each a short term marriage of convenience which doesn't do anyone any favors

If the juvenile board were any use,only amalgamations with a minimum 3/5  year term should be allowed