Laois Senior Football Championship 2019

[Don Draper]

The new man might be going into Division 2 with a weaker panel than Sugrue had in 3. Only in Laois.

Why only in Laois?

[Silkyskillssunshinee]

I don't see that being the case HighFielder. The winner of the Graigue-Port replay should really fancy their chances of toppling The Town. Portlaoise have beaten a Courtwood team who didn't even make the quarters by 6 points, and only beat an under-performing St Joseph's team by 3.

As for Ballyfin and Killeshin, there are definitely a few very decent prospects on both, hence why they are in the semi-finals. I'd say James Finn and Sean Moore are of county standard for Ballyfin, while Michael Doran, the two Lowry's and Attride can offer plenty to this year's set-up as well.

[High Fielder]

Would it be fair to say Silky that Portlaoise under performed too? That's how it looked to me anyway. I hope you're right about talent coming through. I haven't seen too many yet that will make an impression; not unless some walk away, which from what I hear could be likely.

This is what I meant by "only in Laois". It's common enough for counties to have coaches and players walking away from a bad year or situation. We've had a good couple of years and the coach has gone and some players may be going too. That sort of shoot yourself in the foot policy seems to be unique to us. It's not going to be an easy job for Quirke. It's possible to be deceived by what you see in our Championship because the standard is so bad. Players can get all sorts of tallies but nobody apart from Donie can make it count consistently for Laois. And that for me is what Quirke will need to focus on. We have enough good footballers in Laois, but aside from Sugrue's intervention, they have been badly coached and developed. And I'm not sure turning coaches around every couple of years will help that. There are other factors of course, and this goes deeper than who we get in as Senior Manager.

[Don Draper]

That's a long winded way of saying I didn't think my post through very well

[High Fielder]

Pot. Kettle. Black. I'll let ya off.

[Laoiseabu]

If port are what I think they are they should beat graigue tomorrow and be there or thereabouts with Portlaoise . But they do have a tendency to blow hot and cold .

[Neutralobserver]

If port are what I think they are they should beat graigue tomorrow and be there or thereabouts with Portlaoise . But they do have a tendency to blow hot and cold .

Well the blow fairly hot tonight... that's some scoreline

[Countyminor]

Some win for Port tonight, absolutely ripped Graigue to shreds at one end but struggled to kill them off at the other. Whisper it but I'd have them as favourites to beat the town in 10 days time.

[town1980]

Port were awesome tonight graigues scoreline  flattered them they were  aweful,, the town v another town what a game we have in store in 10 days time 👌

[The Monument Road]

Congrats to Kileshin, Ballyfin, Port and Portlaoise on reaching the semis. Wonderful to see new progressive teams in the shakeup and hopefully a few new faces will arise for the County.
Also Hard luck to Zach https://www.laoistoday.ie/2019/09/20/disappointment-for-tuohy-as-geelong-miss-out-on-grand-final-place/
Hopfully we'll be on the same flight home next week for the Laois semis.

[Neutralobserver]

2 cracking games lined up for the weekend,

portlaoise by a few as portarlington will allow them to play not like the defensive system put in by st josephs (not criticising)

killeshin just by a few also as they will have more physical power and experience than ballyfin

[Don Draper]

Port v Killeshin. The All Sash Final is one the cards.

[les Antiques]

It will be interesting to see how portarlington will approach this . Can't see them going gung-ho at Portlaoise. Has the makings of a very good game but wouldn't count on it . Portarlington by 4 , showing momentum and hunger  which hasn't been evident with The Town so far this year.
Killeshin on paper should have too much experience and power but I wouldn't be writing Ballyfin off . That club is on the up and they have great feel good factor at the moment. 

[Laoiseabu]

This port - Portlaoise game must be the first game in over 10 years in Laois where the majority of the people are expecting Portlaoise not to win. Usually red hot favourites. It should be a right tussle and it has a feel about it that I've never felt about a Laois club match in years .
Killeshin should have too much for Ballyfin although there mightn't be a huge amount in it . With the likes of Eoin Lowry , Evan Lowry, Shane Bolger , Stephen Attride , Michael Doran, David Aston, Adam Deering , Cathal Brennan and maybe even the two McDermotts they could even surprise a few in a final too .

[Unlaoised]

Ballyfin have really surprised everyone and for good reason are the talk of the county David Connolly at full back has to be worth a go somewhere on a Laois football panel.

Not to mention Sean Moore

Killeshin however will be strong favourites with the boost of half a team home from the states .

They have played more football at a top level and could rattle Port or the Town in the final