Laois v Carlow

Any thoughts on this? Two teams with progressive profile albeit well down the Liam McArthy pecking order. Delighted to have Carlow in the Champo, hope they can give a good account of themselves on Sat night but I'd expect Laois to use all their experience at this level to take this. This time last year they were in danger of becoming the joke of the pit lane but after a reasonable championship last year and a few decent performances in Div 2 they look to have turned it around. Willy Hyland would make it onto most county teams. Is this on telly anyone know?

Carlow have improved hugely - great credit to them but its difficult to make the breakthrough. Its a bit like Dublin - they have to start beating the Clares, Wexfords, Limericks and Offalys regularly. Carlow need to beat the likes of Laois or Antrim to make a similar step at that level. Not sure they are ready for that. Laois can be a good enough side when they put their minds to it.

League game was a messy affair 3 sent off I think Carlow had two of those.
Potential to be a good open game, can see Laois winning by 5/6 in the end.

Live on the RTE website Moss as are all untelivised games

Thats good to know Jimbo. I'll be down around Blackwater area Sat week if your around for a 'quiet' wan

Laois are starting to make strides on the hurling side of things again, we are technically supposed to be a hurling county. However i think the winners reward could be a Dublin Game. Laois V Dublin on june 6th then a nice trip to play Kilkenny, one wonders whats the point in Carlow and Laois even entering when you have that test to look forward too. Either way Laois to win by 12 points

In the league game Carlow had 3 sent off Laois had 1.

Carlow by 4.

How many senior hurling clubs are in Carlow hurlinguru? Do the bigger (football) clubs actively and equally promote hurling as well (eg Eire Og, Rathvilly, O'Hanrahans). Is it all over the county or only in certain areas? I have friends from outside the town over towards Laois and they are big hurling fans.

Jayo Cluxton wrote:How many senior hurling clubs are in Carlow hurlinguru? Do the bigger (football) clubs actively and equally promote hurling as well (eg Eire Og, Rathvilly, O'Hanrahans). Is it all over the county or only in certain areas? I have friends from outside the town over towards Laois and they are big hurling fans.

As I said Hurling is a Bigger sports overall throughout the county. Cant see anything but a Laois win but god help them in thir progression

Well GG - look at Offaly! Came out of nowhere in the very late 70s and won Liams in the 80s. They are probably the county to aspire to. And they won the football at that time too. Amazing really.

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Well GG - look at Offaly! Came out of nowhere in the very late 70s and won Liams in the 80s. They are probably the county to aspire to. And they won the football at that time too. Amazing really.

Whos Offaly?

Aye indeed GG!

Lot of the Carlow senior teams ply there trade in the Kilkenny league, St Mullins, Myshall etc.
Carlow Hurling has really taken off in the last few years BUT they do have a very strong tradition in the 60's the would of won 3/4 All Ireland B titles as well as one in the 70's and 90's I think. Football took over in the 80's Eire Og, Hanrahans winning 6 Leinster Titles and robbed of an AI club (in '92 ) I think against O Donovan Rossa.
Would not be one bit surprised if Carlow won , but I feel Laois are a county that have the upper hand on them, Carlow play Wexford they will give it a lash because the have nothing to lose and as shown in the league they can get a result.
Carlow attitude to playing Laois is different and until the get the belief that they can win these games (and keep 15 on the field) I think the may just come up short.
Still think this could be the game of the leinster champ though because it has the potential to be a very open affair and both teams are on a par with each other