Joe McDonagh Cup 2025

[The infidel in exile]

Hello all, I thought that I would do some homework on the current Laois senior hurling team, as against the panel last year that made the final against Offaly.

I was totally surprised, as I know that sometimes we mention the lack of county hurlers. You, I think will be even as shocked as myself at the sheer amount of lads that have either retired, left, didn't make it, or are still knocking around but not getting a run. Here we go.

Enda Rowland Abbeyleix
Ian Shanahan Ballinakill
Liam O'Connell R/E
Diarmuid Dooley Roseanallis
Podge Lawlor Ballinakill
Andrew Mortimer Camross
Bryan Breidin Trumera
Gearoid Lynch Ballinakill
Noah Quinlan B/Kill
Willy Dunphy C)Ball
Stephen Maher C/Ball
Martin Phelan Castletown
Ross King R/E
Cody Comerford the Harps
Stephen Bergin C/Ball
Cillian Dunne C/Ball
Eric Killeen R/E
Jarleth Connelly M/mellick

18 players, some still around the panel, but what I noticed was that five of the eighteen are under 23. Any thoughts boys.

[The infidel in exile]

One other thing that I noticed after watching the game twice on Clubber, although it makes absolutely no difference now, but if any of you check the Carlow second goal. The scorer took NINE STEPS before dropping the ball and putting it into the net. Definitely either 8 to 9 steps. I have to agree that the Westmeath Referee gave Laois very little in comparison to the home team. Anyway who cares

[Riseagain]

One other thing that I noticed after watching the game twice on Clubber, although it makes absolutely no difference now, but if any of you check the Carlow second goal. The scorer took NINE STEPS before dropping the ball and putting it into the net. Definitely either 8 to 9 steps. I have to agree that the Westmeath Referee gave Laois very little in comparison to the home team. Anyway who cares

We got the result anyway but how was a Westmeath referee chosen as an unbiased referee

[Verbal]

One other thing that I noticed after watching the game twice on Clubber, although it makes absolutely no difference now, but if any of you check the Carlow second goal. The scorer took NINE STEPS before dropping the ball and putting it into the net. Definitely either 8 to 9 steps. I have to agree that the Westmeath Referee gave Laois very little in comparison to the home team. Anyway who cares

We got the result anyway but how was a Westmeath referee chosen as an unbiased referee

I'm lost. How would a Westmeath ref be considered biased?

In this circumstance (or any?)

[Riseagain]

One other thing that I noticed after watching the game twice on Clubber, although it makes absolutely no difference now, but if any of you check the Carlow second goal. The scorer took NINE STEPS before dropping the ball and putting it into the net. Definitely either 8 to 9 steps. I have to agree that the Westmeath Referee gave Laois very little in comparison to the home team. Anyway who cares

We got the result anyway but how was a Westmeath referee chosen as an unbiased referee

I'm lost. How would a Westmeath ref be considered biased?

In this circumstance (or any?)

How about the fact we beat them by 11 points this year and have beat them before in joe mc and league leading to their knockout

[Hurling123]

I attended the game in carlow last Saturday.  I came away thinking that we didn't learn alot from the previous weekend v kildare. I truly believe we have the better hurlers mabye  i am biased? . This is not a cut at tommy and group.  But a fast running off the shoulder team will always be worth 5-7  points more. This isn't the style of hurling we are playing. But it is the style of hurling kildare are playing.  I really hope all involved can see this and adjust accordingly. Otherwise I think we won't we winning  anything.

[Spiritof1915]

Reports coming through that Cha dwyer has left the panel. Hope it's misinformation.  Not great if true,  leading up to a final.

[The infidel in exile]

If that is the truth Spirit, I am gutted for the lad, as I knew him when he was a chap going to school in Castlecomer.

That being said, I sadly for him and Benny, expected both of them to be dropped for the final, as although they worked tirelessly, neither of them scored against Carlow.

I had commented with Verbal that I truly expected both Aaron Dunphy and James Duggan to start against Kildare. I reckon that Tommy's spoke with Cha and if true then he walked.

He is passionate tenacious and a real jack Russell, but sadly he just doesn't score enough. But that being said, we need lad's like Cha as it's a 20 man game and he would have made an appearance

[Joeythelips]

I attended the game in carlow last Saturday.  I came away thinking that we didn't learn alot from the previous weekend v kildare. I truly believe we have the better hurlers mabye  i am biased? . This is not a cut at tommy and group.  But a fast running off the shoulder team will always be worth 5-7  points more. This isn't the style of hurling we are playing. But it is the style of hurling kildare are playing.  I really hope all involved can see this and adjust accordingly. Otherwise I think we won't we winning  anything.

I though the same watching the game, we were sending plenty of ball into Cha who was working hard but was double marked each time he got it. Laois had the spare man out the field in the 2nd half so the gameplay should have been to use simple popped passes to the runner off the shoulder, they tried it at times but sloppy passing and decision making was letting them down which would indicate to me they are not focussing on this in training. This would be a worry and a negative towards the coaching imo.

It still sounds on here that some may be under estimating Kildare. If Laois dont sort their game plan out in next 2 weeks they will be leaving Croker empty handed.

[The infidel in exile]

Good and fair opinion Joey, of course Kildare have improved. I personally believe that Croke park will suit our lad's, mainly because although Kildare are a bigger and possibly more physical, Laois have better stick men.

Laois seem to struggle on tight pitches simply because we are not a big team, but in Croke park, where the pitch is wider and longer, we will use the wings thus their spine, which are talk mens will be drawn out of position, Mossy was great against Offaly last year, as was Aaron Dunphy who knocked over 3 points from play in the second half, Aidan Corby was class with 4 points in the first half and Purcell the same. Young Dooley wasn't there last year and young Quinlan and Duggan must start.

Joey, I am very confident that we will turn them over on the 9th. Bought my plane ticket this morning. So bring it on.

[Spiritof1915]

Apparently it is true. Both management and cha gone their separate ways.

Obviously Aaron Dunphy hurled for BK at the weekend but still is half injured, hence that's why management are not throwing him back in straight away.

If he's fit he starts.

Corby Mossy paddy P
Duggan Dunphy conroy
Is my 6 forwards to start the final

[redsetanta]

Whatever the reasons it's not good to have a senior member of the team leaving the panel while they are  preparing for a huge game.

[Joeythelips]

Not surprise that he is dropped given he missed so scorable chances last week despite the fact he worked his socks off, but not a good look that he has walked.

As others have said a strong panel is vital at this level and he would have been a great option to come off the bench in the final.

It would surely boost the Kildare boys seeing stuff like this happening.

[Laois Rising]

Less than two weeks out from the final. While he didn't score from play against Kildare or Carlow, he was hardly berated for his performances in those games either. The team for the final wouldn't be picked yet and you would imagine that Tommy would have one serious in house training game this week giving players an opportunity to stake a claim for a starting position come final. Be interesting to hear was filters through on the grapevine regarding the reasons for his decision.

[Verbal]

One other thing that I noticed after watching the game twice on Clubber, although it makes absolutely no difference now, but if any of you check the Carlow second goal. The scorer took NINE STEPS before dropping the ball and putting it into the net. Definitely either 8 to 9 steps. I have to agree that the Westmeath Referee gave Laois very little in comparison to the home team. Anyway who cares

We got the result anyway but how was a Westmeath referee chosen as an unbiased referee

I'm lost. How would a Westmeath ref be considered biased?

In this circumstance (or any?)

How about the fact we beat them by 11 points this year and have beat them before in joe mc and league leading to their knockout

And Carlow v Westmeath the week before? How did that go? Bonkers stuff.