Laois Senior Footballers 2024

[on the hop]

It's been encouraging to see good young players coming into the team over the last few years. Kelly, both Dempseys, Fingleton, Lacey, Heffernan, Larkin, Burke, Swayne, Fitzpatrick, Murphy and Dunne have been a breath of fresh air.

I wonder is there any chance that some of this year's exiles might return for next year's campaign. Would be great to see some of Greene, O'Sullivan, Piggott, Collins etc back.

With some of the exiles back, consolidation of our place in Div. 3 might be possible.

It's really forwards and midfielders we need especially a scoring midfielder if we are to avoid the yo-yo effect in the league especially. We are still only hitting around 12-13 scores on average and getting goals has been huge plus this year. 

[redsetanta]

That's the big difference this year. Our ability to score goals.
Very hard working win yesterday and clearly all players are playing for the team.
Not a great watch at times but we are in a building process so whatever it takes.
They can go into the final with a bot of confidence.

[georgedoylesrightleg]

big difrence is on the line n pace on field.

[Junior Ex Laoistalk]

That was an exceptional performance by every player and sub on that field and by the management yesterday, they got it spot on. Slow start but we learned from it and sized them up fairly quickly. We showed great ability not to be flustered by our mistakes and kept to the plan all through, when we lost a good lead we battled on and scored some great goals to put us back in command again.

Delighted for Brian Byrne, a guy who missed a lot of football last year due to a bad injury but to see him there yesterday back to his best was a joy to behold. The way he finished his two goals was brilliant after some clever work by our forwards. That quick pass that puts a guy in the clear and creates a definite scoring chance is something we have been lacking for quite a while.

All round it was a great performance and hopefully we will go all the way now against Down and make up for that horrible beating they gave us last year.

[Sideline12]

Full credit to all concerned it was really heartwarming to see a laois team play to such a high standard on the big occasion. Great to see lots of young players on the panel, Div 3 is going to be very important next season for the team but we are going in the right direction. I would be very scared of Down they are very pacey.

[Junior Ex Laoistalk]

True, hard to see us beating Down but I said the same about Kildare. This team are starting to believe in themselves, they're all good players so who knows where it will take us. If Evan can find a pair of boots with a few studs left in them he might be able to stay on his feet a bit longer next day   

[Laois Rising]

Last year we really struggled when teams ran at us as we were severely lacking in pace. McNulty has invested in young players who have proper speed to them and now as the season has progressed they are starting to really develop as footballers as well. They are also playing to a very definite game plan and structure. It shows what a good management team brings to the table in terms of getting the best out of players. Having won Division 4 and having reached the Tailteann Cup Final beating Kildare and Antrim will give the players plenty of confidence going into a a very competitive Division 3 next year with Kildare under new management, Sligo, Clare, Fermanagh and Antrim all in the mix as well as a refocused Offaly side. Beating Down would be the icing on the cake for a successful 2024 season after the debacle that was Billy Sheehan's reign.

     

[georgedoylesrightleg]

justins a gentlman compared to that other lad. how chairman let heim away wit abusin laois peeple last year was disgrace

[Junior Ex Laoistalk]

Can you elaborate on that please, who did he abuse last year...??

[georgedoylesrightleg]

go bck n listen ta his interview aftar fermanag game.

[Junior Ex Laoistalk]

I just did, this is all he said

"Whatever about me being abused, I don't care about that, but there was a County Board meeting there two weeks ago where clubs literally said that the team were finished this year," he said.

"Then online, it's just unfortunate the abuse that the players are receiving from people who don't even come to the games.

"We've a very loyal following. It's brilliant to see the loyal following. It's small but sure that's the way the sport is.

"I'm just delighted for the players. It really means nothing to me. They can keep abusing me all they want, it doesn't bother me in the least.

"I'm just really disappointed for our own people in the county to target our players like that," he continued.

"We were seven points up against London, we had about one hundred supporters and then all of a sudden everyone makes comments about them (the players) afterwards.

"Roll on the abuse in the next few days. We'll be ready to go again next week."

Sheehan also had a tense exchange with Fermanagh boss Kieran Donnelly, with the former feeling that Donnelly had said something to his players during the game.

"I won't get him a Christmas card and I probably won't get one off him," Sheehan added.

[georgedoylesrightleg]

He sed more. Who abusd players? He sed everyone? So who?

[Take him on!]

It's great to see these young players progressing. It shows what hard work and a bit of organisation can do. 2 great victories back to back that will bring them on no end. Down will be very difficult. They're 1/5 to beat us so hot favourites but 1 things for sure, our lads will put everything into trying to win.

We should have a big crowd at the final, time to support these lads for all the effort they've put in. There's the usual crowd waiting for Laois to lose so they can have a go again. A terrible negative attitude amongst some 'supporters'. A major part in holding Laois GAA back in my opinion.

A great job Justin McNulty and Ross are doing as well. Top class management. I thought so at the time but it's confirmed now, the lads who criticised McNulty when he was last in charge were way off the mark. The results before and after he was in charge was the evidence. Let's hope we can keep him, he improves the standards and gives us a professional approach.

[County Man]

So 12 days away from the Tailteann final. It is confirmed that we face Down at 3pm followed by Kerry v Armagh at 5.30pm. Lets hope that some of the large Armagh following will be shouting for us!!

I'm hopeful that we'll have a decent support ourselves anyway. The players and management deserve it for their endeavours. There should be a buzz building as we get nearer to it.

Was another excellent, hard fought win against Antrim with great defensive work and counter attacking from the likes of James Kelly, Ben Dempsey and of course Brian Byrne. There were notable turnovers and interventions from Timmo and Fingleton also.

Damon Larkin made some great charges forward, and the forward line clicked with some great scores from all angles. In fact, all played well on the day.

Down are overwhelming favourites but there will be a plan in place and I'm sure all will be left on the field. It has been a very satisfactory year and we are in bonus territory. It should be a great occasion to have a big game in mid July.

[redsetanta]

Had a look at the odds there. Down 1/5 Laois 4/1.

Ah we owe down a beating after last year anyhow.