The future of laois hurling

[Keyser Söze]

Comedy gold!

[Ogie]

I think it's brilliant to have kept Derek McGrath on board, I'd imagine he was massively disappointed with how the year ended, he wanted more help this year and looks like he got some eager guys.
Declan & Tadgh were involved with this squad up along.

[steven seagal]

It's amazing to think that last year's management got slated for the loss to Offaly, yet the one part of that management most responsible is still part of the new management. His stupid playing style completely restricted a talented bunch who had done well up to him getting involved. He completely changed their style of play with backs trying to attack and good scoring forwards playing as sweepers instead of letting them play their natural game. The only thing he has achieved with this bunch is to turn a 52 point win over Offaly into a big loss. A complete disaster and he should have been fucked out on his ear. If he's that good why do lads who refused to hurl for Waterford under him continue to return to the panel now. A quick listen to him on the Sunday Game confirms what he really is, a complete bluffer.

God aren't we terrible unlucky in Laois, we go and get a fella in who has won two Harty Cups, two All-Ireland Colleges titles, a National League title and who brought a team to an All-Ireland final, only for it turn out he actually doesn't know anything about hurling and is a complete bluffer. Gosh, what poor luck for us.

[clonadmad]

It's amazing to think that last year's management got slated for the loss to Offaly, yet the one part of that management most responsible is still part of the new management. His stupid playing style completely restricted a talented bunch who had done well up to him getting involved. He completely changed their style of play with backs trying to attack and good scoring forwards playing as sweepers instead of letting them play their natural game. The only thing he has achieved with this bunch is to turn a 52 point win over Offaly into a big loss. A complete disaster and he should have been fucked out on his ear. If he's that good why do lads who refused to hurl for Waterford under him continue to return to the panel now. A quick listen to him on the Sunday Game confirms what he really is, a complete bluffer.

God aren't we terrible unlucky in Laois, we go and get a fella in who has won two Harty Cups, two All-Ireland Colleges titles, a National League title and who brought a team to an All-Ireland final, only for it turn out he actually doesn't know anything about hurling and is a complete bluffer. Gosh, what poor luck for us.

Given the management team we now have on board

What does everyone on here thiink success looks like for this minor squad and management

Leinster final appearence?

Winning one game

Beating offaly?

Beating wex/kk/dublin?

Winning a game

[Spiritof1915]

Difficult to assess. Only 3 players eligible this year started on last years team and another player coming on as a sub. But another 10 to 15 on the extended panel. The more i think of it, its a very positive sign McGrath staying on as he undoubtedly likes what he sees from the panel this year.

I think they should have enough to make a semi final and seriously compete with wex/dub and gain revenge against Offaly. Obviously it all depends on what way they structure the competition. Kilkenny as always will be the benchmark.

The have a nice spread of players and as one commentator stated some quality forwards. Portlaoise are the dominant club team at this grade up the years so hopefully they will supply a good few of the panel which has to be a good thing for Laois hurling going forward.

[SpeculativeEffort]

Im delighted that Derek McGrath is involved. While most view the one game v Offaly as how to judge 2020, I personally dont.

From talking to players and parents McGrath did everything he could for this group. I know they developed as hurlers and people during the year. They definitely learned a lot and McGrath too.

If taking a setback on the chin here means bouncing back and moving on stronger then that great. Everyone is getting wound up about one result. No county does it better.

We havent won a Leinster minor since the 60's. 2020 didnt change that but we do have a great chance to develop young hurlers with McGrath on board. Lets not get notions about ourselves and slate him.

Hes a quality operator.

[Keyser Söze]

Wasting your time lads!
It's clear how some people operate.
When you are wrong about something , you can change your mind, or you can change the facts to suit your original judgement!
I think it was Frank Lampard recently who spoke about "confirmation bias". Looking at everything with the intent of proving your pre existing stance or belief. The post below from me is a good example. We are all guilty of it regularly.
You can twist things to back up your pre existing viewpoint in most situations.
I don't believe last years management were poorly intentioned. There's every chance they could do a good job somewhere else at some other point. But I could pull bits and pieces from everywhere to compose an argument that says otherwise!

Sounds like some failure of management? To bring somebody in as part of your coaching team in order to get a job. And then to stand idly by as they proceeded to strangle the life out of a group you were personally responsible for "coaching" to a high performing level up to that point.
Very poor management.
Very poor.
Not good enough.

[Zooming around]

Im delighted that Derek McGrath is involved. While most view the one game v Offaly as how to judge 2020, I personally dont.

From talking to players and parents McGrath did everything he could for this group. I know they developed as hurlers and people during the year. They definitely learned a lot and McGrath too.

If taking a setback on the chin here means bouncing back and moving on stronger then that great. Everyone is getting wound up about one result. No county does it better.

We havent won a Leinster minor since the 60's. 2020 didnt change that but we do have a great chance to develop young hurlers with McGrath on board. Lets not get notions about ourselves and slate him.

Hes a quality operator.

The highlighted bit is correct but in how many years since the 60s have we had a real chance to win one. Most years we had no chance and a lot of years we had less than no chance. Last year we had a real chance as this team had shown themselves to be right up there with the best up along through U14, U15 and U16. We won't get to develop much if we continue to disimprove at the alarming rate we have since he got involved.

[clonadmad]

Even when Limerick was under the cosh from Rugby,they had a strong infrastructure of primary school competitions for kids of all ages even it seems a divisional competition and that's before you get to post primary level.

It's a pity Laois can't seem to do likewise,even with the Cumman na mBunscoil,we have just the one completion whereas a lot of counties would have 2 age grades.

https://www.gaa.ie/hurling/news/william-o-donoghue-moulded-by-formative-years/

[redsetanta]

Is Collier a good appointment for Laois hurling?

[Laois man]

He's a good Laois Gaa man.

[Keyser Söze]

An improvement anyways.

[clonadmad]

An improvement anyways.

Really?

How?

[Keyser Söze]

Oh go on. Tell us why it isn't.
Has he not been studying the North Tipp Under 6 league structure and how they have consistently produced the best of 7 & 8 year olds in the country?

I'll give you a few reasons.
1) 
He has on occasion (and on sensible matters) challenged both Laois GAA and the higher GAA authorities (through the forum of Laois GAA meetings).
This, to me, gives the impression that he is at least as focused on these matters as he is on climbing the greasy pole that is the world of GAA hierarchy. That hasn't always been the case.

2)
He also has seen how hurling in the county functions (or doesn't) from the viewpoint of club player, club administrator, club manager, county underage manager, county board delegate etc. That's a well rounded experience to bring to the table.

3)
He is not a county board "lifer".

I'm not his campaign manager. He should be open to criticism like everybody else. But if I was somebody like Cheddar, I'd rather be dealing with this kind of person than somebody who is desperate to stay in with the CB executive.

Having said all that, the role is extremely limited in scope.

[clonadmad]

Oh go on. Tell us why it isn't.
Has he not been studying the North Tipp Under 6 league structure and how they have consistently produced the best of 7 & 8 year olds in the country?

I'll give you a few reasons.
1) 
He has on occasion (and on sensible matters) challenged both Laois GAA and the higher GAA authorities (through the forum of Laois GAA meetings).
This, to me, gives the impression that he is at least as focused on these matters as he is on climbing the greasy pole that is the world of GAA hierarchy. That hasn't always been the case.

2)
He also has seen how hurling in the county functions (or doesn't) from the viewpoint of club player, club administrator, club manager, county underage manager, county board delegate etc. That's a well rounded experience to bring to the table.

3)
He is not a county board "lifer".

I'm not his campaign manager. He should be open to criticism like everybody else. But if I was somebody like Cheddar, I'd rather be dealing with this kind of person than somebody who is desperate to stay in with the CB executive.

Having said all that, the role is extremely limited in scope.

Comprehensive answer even if you couldn't let it pass without the laughable dig at u6's in Tipperary

I'd disagree with you in relation to the scope of the role and it being limited,there's a whole load of areas that can be improved upon within the county which have been discussed ad nauseam here.

Offaly for one have gotten their act together in the last 2/3 years across a number of different areas,there's a sense here that we are static.

I could outline them but then I'd accused of being an Offaly man

I wish him well in his role