Laois Senior Football Championship 2021

[Laoiseabu]

Sugrue took over us when we were in division 4 when we couldn't go any lower and brought us up to division 3 then got a bit of luck and snook us up to division 2 then left.
In those two years could someone honestly name ONE half decent team that we beat in div 3 and div 4 ? If John stayed and faced into division 2 with us he would of eventually encountered the very same problems as Quirke .
Sugrue might make us somewhat competitive in division 3 next year but he won't be performing any miracles I'm afraid.

[High Fielder]

I agree to an extent. I did think there was improvement though. The divisions that we seem to always get in the camp weren't as obvious either. But I agree with you Laoiseabu that we shouldn't be looking for a miracle maker. We've had years of being beaten up and we're mentally broken when pressure is applied. That's why I think this is a bit of a non issue. We need a root and branch style overhaul and preferably, in my opinion, the CB to f**k off with themselves. Things couldn't get any worse than they are right now

[SCFC]

this thread is for the senior championship 2021  keep it to it or start a new one

As you said yourself. Maybe try and keep this thread to the SFC?

[town1980]

agreed

[town1980]

any predictions?

[SCFC]

Winners Section:

Portarlington v Courtwood - Port by around 6 or 7 - they have a bench to see them through
Ballyroan Abbey v St Joseph's - Think Ballyroan Abbey will win by around 3. Some excellent young lads in their team.
O'Dempseys v Rosenallis - expect O'Dempseys experience to edge them through
Stradbally v Graiguecullen - Graigue have a nice young team and I think they might win this but wouldn't be surprised if we had extra time

Losers Section:

The Heath v Emo - Emo should bounce back although local derby might produce a big game from Heath
Arles-Killeen v Killeshin - Killeshin by 5 unless the Kingstons can produce an almighty performance
Portlaoise v Ballyfin - Surely Portlaoise but if they repeat the Courtwood performance, they will get punished
Clonaslee St Manmans v Ballylinan - Walsh and Farrell back should swing it to Ballylinan

[town1980]

portarlington ,,i think to win easy and bully there neighbours a great game for them to get back on track
joes ,,50/50 game joes to edge it
o dempseys to win handy
Graigue,, after a battle graigue second best in the county for me and good chance of a final appearance again
the heath,,  not a happy camp over there in emo players not taking it as serious as last year so the heath for me
killeshin,, too young for killeen and to win easy killeen i think favourites for relegation
Portlaoise ,,after a scare maybe a few changes im hearing happening also
Ballylinan ,,to scrape through against a solid Clonaslee outfit

i know i will be wrong on a few again

[Laois Rising]

I like the justifications for each of your predictions town1980. It is surprising to hear that the wind has been so badly taken out of Emo's sails for this year's championship. They had great momentum at the end of 2020 and it is a pity the championship was halted when it was for them. They have a number of good young players coming through as well. Perhaps its a case of playing out 2021 and re-setting again for 2022. Once they don't repeat their party trick of having a great year (2015 county finalists) to be embarrassingly relegated they year after (2016).

[The PRO]

Portlaoise ,,after a scare maybe a few changes im hearing happening also

Surely Ciaran McEvoy, Holland, Paddy Downey will all come in the next day? Flanagan too if fit.

[town1980]

definetly changes going to happen but kevin knows this himself

[Robbo]

Winner's Section:

Portarlington v Courtwood
I think Port are an awful match for Courtwood. They have similar strengths in a lot of ways but Port just have more of them. Port by 8.
Ballyroan Abbey v St Joseph's
Interesting game this. BA can be great to watch but will they relish the type of game Joseph's will play; I'm not so sure.
Heart says Ballyroan; head says Joe's.
I'll go with Ballyroan by 3.
O'Dempseys v Rosenallis
I really liked the look of O'Dempseys the last day. They should match the athleticism of Rosenallis and I think they've a better spread of scoring threats.
O'Ds by 6.
Stradbally v Graiguecullen
This is the game I'm most looking forward to. I like a lot about Stradbally; I think they're building something really worthwhile but Graigue might be a little further down the line.
This will be very close and I wouldn't be surprised to see this going all the way to penalties.
I'll go with Graigue to come through.

Losers Section:

The Heath vs Emo
I'd be very worried about The Heath. I think Emo will have knives sharpened for this one and I can't see where The Heath will get their scores. Emo by 10.
Arles-Killeen v Killeshin
I've heard Donie Kingston may be a doubt for this one. If he plays I think Killeen may keep it close but I still think Killeshin will prevail by 3/4. If he doesn't play, it could be any score.
Clonaslee St Manmans v Ballylinan
I've a sneaky feeling Clonaslee could win this. They're a well-rounded team and I just feel they might be able to hold Ballylinan's key players.
Portlaoise v Ballyfin
My heart is ruling my head but I think Ballyfin might cause a shock here. Port was a brutal first round draw and this is just as hard but I'd contend we were the better team for substantial periods of the last game, albeit Port weren't at their best.
Portlaoise should win but I'll take Ballyfin to edge it by 2.

[Silkyskillssunshinee]

Ballylinan, Portlaoise, Killeshin, The Heath, Port, Ballyroan Abbey, O'Dempseys and Graiguecullen all to win at the weekend.

I think Killeen could be in real bother and I'd tip them as favourites for relegation.

[Robbo]

I had a feeling Clonaslee would win last night and they could easily have another big performance in them if the get a decent draw.
They have a solid team with athleticism in the right places. And Corbett is just a joy to watch.

I'm sticking to my prediction for a massive upset tonight.

[The PRO]

I had a feeling Clonaslee would win last night and they could easily have another big performance in them if the get a decent draw.
They have a solid team with athleticism in the right places. And Corbett is just a joy to watch.

I'm sticking to my prediction for a massive upset tonight.

Good call last night Robbo. I had thought Walsh coming back would lead Ballylinan to a win but he was clearly injured (and still kicked 6 or 7 points). Clonaslee looked decent. Big, mobile and if they can be a bit more clinical they could well get to a quarter final. They could be playing the likes of Courtwood, Rosenallis or maybe Stradbally in Round 3 and would fancy their chances.

[Smellyball]

Port by 11, Ballyroan AET, Dempseys by 3, graig by 8

Portlaoise by 2, emo by 1, killeshin by 5, Clonaslee by 2