Laois senior hurlers 2026

[Laois345]

Can they change a competition rules at this stage?
Are you sure that wouldn't be for next year?

I wasn't at the game on Saturday. How did Eoin Reilly go?
You'd imagine lads like Padraic Dunne and Martin Phelan could have done with starting this game?

Reilly was, very little action at his end. They'll have challenge games organised as it's two weeks until their next game, at least I hope they do.

[Deerstalker]

Can they change a competition rules at this stage?
Are you sure that wouldn't be for next year?

I wasn't at the game on Saturday. How did Eoin Reilly go?
You'd imagine lads like Padraic Dunne and Martin Phelan could have done with starting this game?

It's from 2026, I suppose they can when the competition hasn't started.

[Voice of tReason]

Laois hurling Offaly tonight. Both teams playing panelists who haven't seen much game-time in the league.

Nice chance for some of the younger players to stake a claim.

It'd also be great to see some of our injured players feature, Diarmuid Conway, Ben Conroy and Garoid Lynch in particular.

[Verbal]

Any idea how this went?

[Laois man]

Good challenge game today v. Dublin in portlaoise 1.30 to 2.24 final score.

[Laois man]

Strong team named for kerry game tomorrow should win it. Joe MCdonagh in 3 weeks is a massive game v Carlow in carlow. A win tomorrow would be a nice prep for it.

[Home Boys Home]

Would be a bit concerned about our half back line as named maybe. Also need to shut down Kerry midfielder who ran the show the last day , Ronan Walsh I think it was ? Very good hurler to be fair. A narrow hard fought win with 3 or 4 subs getting a decent run would be perfect with a view to Carlow match .

[Voice of tReason]

Job done today.
Couldn't get over how poor Kerry were but we did the business and the lads should be feeling positive heading into Joe McD.

I thought our full-back line was really excellent; it gives management a great headache with Diarmuid Conway back now as well.

Further forward, I thought Podge Delaney was very solid, Aidan Corby was busy if a little wasteful and Mossy made things happen in the forwards. We might struggle to hit massive scores but hopefully we'll be solid defensively.

Well done to all invovled.

[Verbal]

Job done. But Jesus it was poor?

[Laois345]

Job done. But Jesus it was poor?

Personally thought it was a big step up performance wise from Laois, in comparison to the previous game against them. Game was won at half time

[Verbal]

Perhaps, but the standard is worryingly poor. It didn't strike me as much in previous games (for whatever reason).

Hopefully it's them to rise to greater challenges as they arrive.

[redsetanta]

Good league for Laois. To go through it unbeaten shows there is quality there and in fairness they never looked like losing a game.

Tommy has managed to try different players and formations and they are improving as a unit. Considering we have been without real leaders through retirements and injuries they've done well. It has given the opportunity for others to take on the leadership role.

It's all about the Joe McDonagh this year though and we really need to win it and get promoted to next years Leinster championship. It would be an disaster for Laois hurling to lose out 3 years in a row and we really need to beat Carlow in the opening game with an impressive performance and lay down a marker for the rest of the championship.

[Laoisred]

I agree with redsetanta. A good league overall. Topped the group and comprehensive win in the final. Plenty of players used and blooded and almost everyone that was asked in has committed. It also shows the benefit of Tommy and Management having a full pre-season done with the players unlike last year. The move away from 'hurling by numbers' has also helped Laois in my view. Yes, Laois would be expected to beat all the Div 2 teams and we are not the finished article by any means but moving in the right direction in my view.

A word of caution though as Carlow away is a tough start, followed by Antrim at home (who are capable on their day) and Westmeath away who are always difficult championship opponents. Should win the last two easily versus Down and London so its all about mid-April to mid-May for me.

[Verbal]

I agree with redsetanta. A good league overall. Topped the group and comprehensive win in the final. Plenty of players used and blooded and almost everyone that was asked in has committed. It also shows the benefit of Tommy and Management having a full pre-season done with the players unlike last year. The move away from 'hurling by numbers' has also helped Laois in my view. Yes, Laois would be expected to beat all the Div 2 teams and we are not the finished article by any means but moving in the right direction in my view.

A word of caution though as Carlow away is a tough start, followed by Antrim at home (who are capable on their day) and Westmeath away who are always difficult championship opponents. Should win the last two easily versus Down and London so its all about mid-April to mid-May for me.

I don't understand that bit??

[Laoisred]

It mainly relates to how Laois played and were coached last year versus what I see this year so far. Similar to 'painting by numbers'. The previous head coach can be very prescriptive in how the team sets up, in how the game is played, where the players stand, deliver the ball and so on. Take the re-starts for example - he favours making a plus one in the full back line and getting the ball away short to the spare man and playing forward from there. (something that KK are now implementing and taking time to adjust to). This and other reasons made Laois fairly predictable last year and easy to analyse and play against. The world and its mother could see what we were doing in Dr. Cullen last year and Kildare prepared appropriately for us.
This year I still see structure but it seems to me that we have a bit more variation and freedom to play and trust the lads on the pitch to make positive decisions. Just an observation that will hopefully carry through the championship.