Under age amalgamation

[Ballygowen]

I don't agree with the bed hopping going in at under age in Laois. Young lads could be playing together at U13 with an amalgamation and then against each other on their own at U15.

If a club has enough, even if it's a bare 17 to 20 lads I personally think it's better for them to stay on their own for the bigger picture. Yes they might not win silverware or much games, but you'll keep lads getting game time. If they amalgamate with another club the finger players don't get games and drop off. And what do you get after the amalgamation ends that year??? A potential loss of players.

I get it lads want to win, but there's lad (including myself) who could count on one hand what medals won under age. But the memories of plying with your own club and the fun on the bus going to matches, the shop after it will never be forgotten. I think that gets lost with the want to win. We can't all win

[Verbal]

The County Board has to lead in some way on this I feel.

It's far too easy to form these arrangements & get approval at the moment.

[SpeculativeEffort]

It's very easy for those not involved to criticise the fluid underage amalgamation situation. Lots calling for certain areas to be strapped together.

This is OK for places who have consistent numbers but most clubs in Laois fluctuate. They go alone when they can to allow all players play and join up when numbers aren't there.

For example year 1 Club B has 7 u13s and  needs help from club B. Two years later they have 20 and are entitled to go alone. Club B must then link up with Club C. The following year Club A are low on numbers but Club B and C are joined so Club A needs to find a Club D or maybe a Club E also.

Club executives change and ideas change also. Its not an easy situation to structure.

[Verbal]

But. There are certain situations that should be "corrected" and I believe the County Board has a role to play in this.

Mountrath & Trumera should be hurling together underage.
Castletown & Slieve Bloom should be hurling together underage.


There should be a 12 a side competition up to under 15 for clubs that need it to encourage them to stay on their own in these baron years.

It's rare that the year you are stuck badly at under 13 you'll also be as tightly stuck at under 11.
You play players one grade up, and drop to the B.

If you are stuck for numbers at more than one grade , then it's time to think seriously about a more solidified arrangement with somebody that suits both parties.

[Genocide Organ]

Castletown and Slieve Bloom?!! Good luck with that, as they say! (Slieve Bloom effectively have no underage set-up, and many that could have been theirs, now just hurl underage with Castletown).

[finnfromballyfin]

But. There are certain situations that should be "corrected" and I believe the County Board has a role to play in this.

Mountrath & Trumera should be hurling together underage.
Castletown & Slieve Bloom should be hurling together underage.



There should be a 12 a side competition up to under 15 for clubs that need it to encourage them to stay on their own in these baron years.




It's rare that the year you are stuck badly at under 13 you'll also be as tightly stuck at under 11.
You play players one grade up, and drop to the B.

If you are stuck for numbers at more than one grade , then it's time to think seriously about a more solidified arrangement with somebody that suits both parties.

Castletown and Mountrath are always well off though. No point making them amalgamate to the point where it leaves lads on the sideline. Clonad/Trumera will and was always fine sure they have hurled together many times previously as RPG. Slieve Bloom need to cop on and get an actual underage set up/partnership instead of sending lads to f**k knows where. Clonaslee and Rosenallis should have let them in on their little Barrow Gaels thing they have going on as that is going on till 2030 if not longer. The bloom could've atleast attempted to start off at least a bit of a foundation for juvenile hurling in Bloom with help of the Gaels instead of being Transfermania in February every year. Teams should only amalgamate when or if needed and if they are to it'd have to be a place that borders them. Like in around 2017 times we had Clonaslee Gaels in the football which was Annanough and Clonaslee. Or that Ballinakill Slieve Bloom nonsense, all an act just for Ben Conroy to get senior hurling and for him to not snake them for Portlaoise. I see where you're coming from with the county board thing.

I see that the Raheen Parish Gaels or "Clan na nGael" 🙄 have all split apart and are all in the same group facing each other in the Minor B League after hurling together last year. Numbers have improved there though. Clonad/Trumera are fine for numbers, Colt/Shanahoe have a few Pickas men with them now due to that big Ballinakill drama and Paul's have exactly 15 minors but will always end up calling up 15s. The u15 thing is a very good idea and should be incorporated in divisions where needed.

[Laois man]

Sbloom have lads hurling with Camross underage. How are mrath and Cbolla together in the minor Cship???

[Voice of tReason]

Sbloom have lads hurling with Camross underage. How are mrath and Cbolla together in the minor Cship???

I'm only presuming it has to be numbers.

I believe CBcolla are working on a motion to allow 13 and 11 a side competitions up to 15s.

[KyleExile]

Sbloom have lads hurling with Camross underage. How are mrath and Cbolla together in the minor Cship???

Not to sure on Mountraths numbers, but Clough Ballacollas are extremely low currently and not much improvement on the horizon. My brother is over that direction and he reckons his young lad won't have an underage team to play on without an amalgamation in a few years.

[Verbal]

I suppose the problem then would be, would Ballacolla be interested in being in an 11 a side division with Ballypickas, St Paul's and Portarlington?

Or do they get to do both?
The above, plus join up to hurl in the A.

I can't see how Castletown would be always flush with numbers? Mountrath I understand.


The CB definitely have a role to play.
A consultation process is probably needed.
But there's no harm in forcing something that upsets a few, if it's thought out & for the greater good.
E.g.- Some form of parish rule that annoys Mountrath/Castletown/Trumera/Slieve Bloom
(I'm aware that Parish Rule per se may not be possible- but some form of tightening is an absolute must).

[Ogie]

Clough Ballacolla / Mountrath are probably now the only team at U17 team in Laois for 2026 that do not have to field any U15s, thats by choice,
They can both field U17 teams on their own for 2026, so be it if its in the B.

No way should it be allowed and I have no understanding how it was let

[Verbal]

I don't know the intimate details of the situation, but I would have suspected the above.
That is shortsighted.
And agreed, should not be allowed.

Are they both in under 15 A on their own?

[Laois man]

Mrath is U15 A and Cbolla in the B but very strong.

[Laois Rising]

10 Harps players on the u20 hurling panel this year. It highlights the weaknesses and lack of depth in the club scene in the county at the moment. It's fantastic for the Harps but there is no way any club should have that amount of representation on a county panel if the club scene was healthy. The playing numbers in many of our hurling clubs are dwindling. I do feel there will be need to a review of the underage club scene in the coming years and structures put in place to ensure the survival of clubs and to maintain and ensure a healthy, competitive underage championships. At present, we have too many ad hoc arrangements that change from year to year. The Harps are a well run club but if things continue as they are they will face little or no competition for many championships in juvenile age grades as other clubs struggle numbers wise to be truly competitive.

[Laois man]

Mountrath won U13 final last year camross won u15 final Ctown won U17 final Harps got to U13 final and that was it. How many of that 10 will hurl senior for the Harps this year or next year.