NFL Div 2 2020

[BallyroanAbu]

Extremely unfair comment to make regarding Donie Kingston. If Kingston wants to take a break from intercounty football then he deserves to do so without comments such as Batman's being thrown at him. He has played almost every year for the county since 2008. That's 11 out of 12 years of service to Laois football.

I think this article sums up why footballer with the talent of Donie Kingston might feel some disillusionment plodding along year after year with little or no chance of success. Hard to continually motivate yourself and give the time and dedication required to play at intercounty level with no meaningful end rewards.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/talented-peers-polarised-by-place-of-birth-37042692.html

Agreed Donie and Paul two great servants of Laois,  we were blessed to have them.  There is going to be more deflections soon.

[Mad Mentor]

Extremely unfair comment to make regarding Donie Kingston. If Kingston wants to take a break from intercounty football then he deserves to do so without comments such as Batman's being thrown at him. He has played almost every year for the county since 2008. That's 11 out of 12 years of service to Laois football.

I think this article sums up why footballer with the talent of Donie Kingston might feel some disillusionment plodding along year after year with little or no chance of success. Hard to continually motivate yourself and give the time and dedication required to play at intercounty level with no meaningful end rewards.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/talented-peers-polarised-by-place-of-birth-37042692.html

Great article.

[Silkyskillssunshinee]

The two Kingston brothers confirmed gone from Laois panel for upcoming season. I expected Donie to go but I was surprised that Paul isn't there either. For me, Donie gone from the panel means that Laois are in huge relegation trouble for the league. Not sure we have the scores up front to stay up. Evan O'Carroll will need to step up in a big way this season.

I see on the positive side that Niall Corbet and Garry Comerford are on the panel. Corbet could easily find himself starting as well because Laois desperately need a free taker. Comerford was a player who I was very impressed with when Stradbally won championship in 2016. I imagine he'll have no problems getting up to speed fitness wise due to his last few years playing soccer at a high level.

[ollie12]

Is Gary Walsh back on the panel?

[Neutralobserver]

The two Kingston brothers confirmed gone from Laois panel for upcoming season. I expected Donie to go but I was surprised that Paul isn't there either. For me, Donie gone from the panel means that Laois are in huge relegation trouble for the league. Not sure we have the scores up front to stay up. Evan O'Carroll will need to step up in a big way this season.

I see on the positive side that Niall Corbet and Garry Comerford are on the panel. Corbet could easily find himself starting as well because Laois desperately need a free taker. Comerford was a player who I was very impressed with when Stradbally won championship in 2016. I imagine he'll have no problems getting up to speed fitness wise due to his last few years playing soccer at a high level.

Serious loss them two to a small county and will Evan stay injury free

[High Fielder]

It's a big commitment and I don't and won't disrespect any lad who wants a break from it. I'd love to see Donie involved because he's out on his own in my opinion. But he's made his choice and he has to do what's right for him. It's nice to see different names coming in. There are opportunities there for those who are capable of stepping up

[blueandwhite1]

Donie's commitment has been in doubt for the last few years. I think it's time to move on with lads who really want to wear the Jersey.

I think this is a pretty serious insult to a man that has carried Laois for years. He is playing senior for Laois since he was 17 years of age up and down the divisions. His appetite to continue might be in doubt which is natural but to suggest that he hasn't been committed or didn't 'really want to wear the Jersey' is a pretty low and unfair blow.

[Giovanni]

I would agree that it's not right that, having spent a lot of time and effort representing Laois at different levels, that his commitment is called into question now.

On the other hand, I think that to suggest that he has "carried Laois" is also a serious over-representation of his contribution and is very unfair on the other good players that he has played with in the colours of Laois.

Speaking of good players that he played with, does anyone know if Brendan Quigley is finished with the county? If so, I think he deserves great thanks and credit from Laois supporters for his contribution over the years.

[The Boy Wonder]

I agree wholeheartedly that we should be very grateful to players that give magnificent service to the county.
Brendan Quigley, Donie Kingston, John O'Loughlin and Mark Timmons suffered heartbreak in the All-Ireland U-21 final of 2007. Ever since they have brought nothing but honour on themselves and their county when they wore the Laois jersey. And not forgetting Ross Munnelly - he surely is the pride of the County Laois.

[Blow-in]

Fair difference in commitment between Ross Munnelly and Donie Kingston. Worlds apart.

[Silkyskillssunshinee]

Fair difference in commitment between Ross Munnelly and Donie Kingston. Worlds apart.

I agree but at the end of the day whether these lads want to dedicate their time to playing for a small county like Laois is completely up to them. They put in a lot of effort and usually get very little reward. Donie Kingston doesn't deserve to be called out like that.

[High Fielder]

I agree. This is actually getting ridiculous now, and it needs to stop. Comparing one fellas commitment to another proves nothing. Even mentioning it in passing is not on, as it implies upon reading that Donie doesn't care. I know nothing about him, but I do know he has given a lot of time to Laois. It is obvious that he has been committed. If that has changed, for whatever reason, then that is his business. He's probably a better footballer than some of the Dublin forwards, and doesn't get half the recognition or rewards. I'd understand if anyone wanted a break from that. This is a GAA problem and one they are ignoring. They and we cannot take for granted that lads are going to keep turning out for their county. Life is there to be enjoyed and modern life is an expensive business. We don't pay his bills and we don't pay for his holidays. So a bit of respect please.

[Unlaoised]

I agree. This is actually getting ridiculous now, and it needs to stop. Comparing one fellas commitment to another proves nothing. Even mentioning it in passing is not on, as it implies upon reading that Donie doesn't care. I know nothing about him, but I do know he has given a lot of time to Laois. It is obvious that he has been committed. If that has changed, for whatever reason, then that is his business. He's probably a better footballer than some of the Dublin forwards, and doesn't get half the recognition or rewards. I'd understand if anyone wanted a break from that. This is a GAA problem and one they are ignoring. They and we cannot take for granted that lads are going to keep turning out for their county. Life is there to be enjoyed and modern life is an expensive business. We don't pay his bills and we don't pay for his holidays. So a bit of respect please.

Great quote

Donie will be back for one last shot too

[Pugwash]

You simply cannot compare Donie and Ross, they are two completely different players with two completely different body types.

Ross is a small, athletic and nimble footballer while Donie is a big imposing man (super footballer to boot) and with that requires a lot more effort to stay fit to play inter county.

We have seen how the modern game has evolved and many inter county (even club players) are retiring a lot earlier due to the demands placed on their bodies especially those who aren't as naturally fit or as slight as others.

Donie would take far greater hardship in a game than Ross imo, while a hard shoulder may hurt Ross more there is absolutely no question that when you're a small athletic footballer you are able to use your pace and cuteness to evade challenges, unlike a less mobile player like Donie in comparison.

Kingston owes nothing to the Laois jersey, a super servant to his county and wish him all the best in the future with whatever he does.

[Giovanni]

I think this rather underestimates the effort Ross makes to keep himself fit. The amount of work he does is exceptional, which is why he's such a great role model for everyone else that wants to play at that level.