Laois Senior Hurling Championship

[burdizzo]

I expect Portlaoise to put it up to Camross, and wouldn't be shocked if they pulled it off.

[John1]

Ballacola favorites still it seems, although if R/E were to find consistency it would be a good game between them.
Camross made little work of Portlaoise ,even with all their transfers they are not near it. Camross will improve from here. The Harps fell apart against Abbeyleix, have it all to do next day now.
Same teams to be in the semi finals again as last year i think unless The Harps turn over Camross. Abbeyleix to pip Portlaoise

[Verbal]

That's a big blow for The Harps.
It could be season defining.

Anyone know what Clough Ballacolla did last weekend?

[The infidel in exile]

It is not beyond the realms of incomprehension to have exactly the same final as 2023,Before I'm laughed out the door, remind yourselves that Abbeyleix had only come back straight up from relegation the year prior to them getting to the 23 final. Not one person on this forum in their wildest dreams would have prophesied them reaching last years final.
Although they lost the first match, they've won the last two, and no disrespect to the town, I don't see it being that close, the Fung have the sweater stick men, and at least 13 of them have won at least one minor or u21 County title. Then it's an hour to another final. I actually believe that it is very plausible but I would love to see the Harps turn Camross over

[Boards]

Following tonight's Laois Shopping Centre: PIHC Quarter Final Results

The following 2 Premier Intermediate teams, promoted to the 2025 Senior
Hurling Championship are

 Ballinakill
    and
Borris in Ossory-Killcotton

The results have shown how the planned increase to 10 senior teams is flawed without even winning a semi final Ballinakill and Borris-in-Ossory-Kilcotton are guaranteed promotion to SHC 2025.

[Verbal]

Unfortunately Ballinakill are not of senior standard at the moment.

First game here going as expected. Will Portlaoise bounce back or was their result v Rathdowney Errill a once off?

I actually think The Harps could take Camross in the next one.

[Verbal]

I'd love to have the time (or patience!!) to look back and count how many scores The Harps conceded from being turned over trying to work balls short (particularly out of defence).

Hard to fathom.
Usually you'd associate that with a team lacking in skillful hurlers.
Not the case here.

They were really really poor at it.
Obviously there was a degree of hard work from Camross but there was nothing ultra intense about their workrate today. They are capable of taking that up a notch or two.

[Blueforever]

Watching matches yesterday very difficult Portlaoise a Junior standard team Harps trying to play like Limerick coach should be sacked hard to gauge Abbeyleix or Camross

[Laois Rising]

The championship has yet to ignite and we are down to four teams. It really reinforces the need to reduce the number of teams as oppose to increasing the numbers as it would have been more productive. Six team league with top team to final and second v third in a semi final was the way forward. That guarantees stronger teams playing against one another more often and in turn raising standards hopefully. Also helps strengthen premier intermediate which is going to be a farce next year with how weak the standard of teams in the championship are. Our premier intermediate winners last few years have struggled to make an impact in the Leinster championship so whoever wins it next year will be on a hiding to nothing.

[burdizzo]

The championship has yet to ignite and we are down to four teams. It really reinforces the need to reduce the number of teams as oppose to increasing the numbers as it would have been more productive. Six team league with top team to final and second v third in a semi final was the way forward. That guarantees stronger teams playing against one another more often and in turn raising standards hopefully. Also helps strengthen premier intermediate which is going to be a farce next year with how weak the standard of teams in the championship are. Our premier intermediate winners last few years have struggled to make an impact in the Leinster championship so whoever wins it next year will be on a hiding to nothing.

Premier Intermediate looks to be a weak enough championship. I honestly think a good few of the Intermediate teams are as good as them. If they were going to have 10 at senior, why not just amalgamate the two intermediate grades, and the left overs into Junior 'A'? Colt-Shanahoe, for example, will be beaten by most of the intermediate teams. Talk about a club that has regressed since amalgamating...

[Laois man]

Should be no senior B. Just senior intermediate plus Junior A B and C.

[John1]

Should be no senior B. Just senior intermediate plus Junior A B and C.

Agreed ,buttering it up, barely have 6 Senior standard Teams ,never mind 10 anyway. Standard of hurling in the county gone poor. Ballinikill probably to come straight back down unless RE/ Camross win the Premier Intermediate next year.

[Verbal]

Should be no senior B. Just senior intermediate plus Junior A B and C.

Agreed ,buttering it up, barely have 6 Senior standard Teams ,never mind 10 anyway. Standard of hurling in the county gone poor. Ballinikill probably to come straight back rdown unless RE/ Camross win the Premier Intermediate next year.

And they probably will.
Are Ballyfin going to get any stronger any time soon?
Who else will be capable of beating them?

[burdizzo]

Should be no senior B. Just senior intermediate plus Junior A B and C.

Agreed ,buttering it up, barely have 6 Senior standard Teams ,never mind 10 anyway. Standard of hurling in the county gone poor. Ballinikill probably to come straight back rdown unless RE/ Camross win the Premier Intermediate next year.

And they probably will.
Are Ballyfin going to get any stronger any time soon?
Who else will be capable of beating them?

No. I think Ballyfin are giving precedence to football.

[John1]

Making no inroads in either. Day of Dual Club at high level gone
Emphasis on fitness levels gone extreme nearly & quality is just not there to follow.