Tailteann Cup 2023

[thegreeenandgold]

It's extremely moderate results
Against two GAA football populations that are quite abit smaller than us
5 years ago beating these would be standard fare
So by regression these results have now become hard to win games.

[High Fielder]

The absolute pits was drawing with London. The last 2 results are an improvement on that. I'll take it

[County Man]

Full credit to both players and management for a hard fought win against Limerick. The scenes at full time were a sight to behold. Great to have a decent Laois support there as well.

In the period between the 5th and 12th minute, we kicked 5 wonderful points after going 3-0 down. The interplay was tremendous in this period with a real confidence in the side and good teamwork. I don't remember seeing something like that in a Laois team for 10 years.

The Tailteann cup has been terrific for us. Very few would have seen us beat both Fermanagh and Limerick away. Limerick ran Cork very close in last years qualifier for a place in the All Ireland quarter finals.

It was admirable that we stuck to the task, chipped away and got over the line with Colm Murphy's late goal.

Draw this morning for the semi finals. My hunch is Meath v Laois and Down v Antrim.

[Joeythelips]

Laois v Down & Meath v Antrim. Tough but at the end of the day its still a team who played at Div 3 level is same level as Fermanagh and Limerick. That last 15 mins against Limerick will really stand to Laois and give them great belief for this game. After the London game you would have taken someones hand off for a semi final against Down, lets be honest.

[redsetanta]

Fair play to the Laois team it certainly lifted the mood among a few of us in Athens.

Great finish to the game and lets be honest, after the group stages, we are in real bonus territory now and credit must go to all involved. It would have been easy to throw in the towel and write of the year.

Traditionally we've never done well in Limerick and I didn't think that would change so fair play to all.

Looking forward to going to Croke Park next weekend now.

[Spiritof86]

Left Limerick on Saturday with a nice feeling of satisfaction. Two wins and momentum has been built . The return of a fit Colm Murphy has been a big bonus and made forward selection a little more competitive. The changing of the goalkeeper position has also helped .
Sunday will be a completely different challenge in Dublin . The space will suit our forwards and if they click at all you would think we can put up a nice score .
However you would have to be worried about our defence and the power and pace of the Down midfield and forwards running at us .

[SCFC]

Playing Paddy O'Sullivan in his proper position has been the one biggest factor in turning it around to some extent.

[Spiritof86]

Playing Paddy O'Sullivan in his proper position has been the one biggest factor in turning it around to some extent.

Absolutely.
Hope the team gets the support it deserves Sunday .

[Laois Rising]

We have rode our luck so to speak against Limerick. However, players must be credited for staying in the game and finishing so strongly. Hopefully we can put a full 70 minutes together against Down. If we reproduce the period just before half time and the first 15 minutes of the second half against Limerick we could see ourselves on the end of a 10 point beating. Down were hugely impressive and efficient against Cavan the last day. If they replicate that performance they will probably prove too strong for us even if we play to our best. I can't see a Down team who are full of confidence passing up those opportunities that Limerick did in front of goal.

Any update on Kingston's fitness? He will be a big loss if he's not fit to start the next day.

[Jd]

I'd be quietly hopeful against Down. Longford actually cut them to shreds early in the group gameand should have been out of sight by half time. They gave up a few ridiculous scores and Down clawed out a win. Defensively they aren't wonderful so I'd be hopeful we could outscore them. Our fadeout after halftime seem to be an issue but we always seem to finish strongly. So hopeful but not confident

[High Fielder]

Have to confess I'm neither hopeful or confident. Would love to be proved wrong of course

[GAAFan2003]

Has Sheehan redeemed himself with the last two wins or does he need to win Sunday or the competition to stay another term?

[Laois Rising]

I think he has a strong argument for staying in the job. The players seem united, no one has dropped off the panel. Performances have improved. The problem with an inexperienced coach was that they have to learn on the job. Mistakes are part of the course. He's certainly made them. There are definitely issues I have regarding his management style but if the team continue on an upward trend with their performance against Down I think he will be given a third year in the job.

[Joeythelips]

Like some Im hopeful but not optimistic. For Billy to get another year you would have to imagine a final appearance would be needed but Laois have had so little to cheer its surprising that the Senior mens football team that are giving us the most to shout about, I would not have seen that 3 weeks ago never mind 3 months. Any manager will be judged on results and can they get the best out of the players at their disposal, he is a novice coach so learning as he goes but League was not good, and London game a disaster but if he got the Tailteann Cup final he may have enough in the bank to get another season.

As a previous poster mentioned, Limerick did create plenty of goal chances and if we give those to Down we are in big trouble but my big take away from the Limerick match was the last quarter where Laois showed real composure and quality when it really mattered, and the players knew it. That will fill them with real confidence that only winning matches brings.

[statto]

Like some Im hopeful but not optimistic. For Billy to get another year you would have to imagine a final appearance would be needed but Laois have had so little to cheer its surprising that the Senior mens football team that are giving us the most to shout about, I would not have seen that 3 weeks ago never mind 3 months. Any manager will be judged on results and can they get the best out of the players at their disposal, he is a novice coach so learning as he goes but League was not good, and London game a disaster but if he got the Tailteann Cup final he may have enough in the bank to get another season.

As a previous poster mentioned, Limerick did create plenty of goal chances and if we give those to Down we are in big trouble but my big take away from the Limerick match was the last quarter where Laois showed real composure and quality when it really mattered, and the players knew it. That will fill them with real confidence that only winning matches brings.

Down are 1/5 shots to win the game.  Surely if Laois lost this game by tight margins he would have done enough to get another year as there would be clear signs of progress during this campaign all be it the league was poor.