In this week's blog … standing ovations, freak goals and Offaly draw the short straw.

Laois supporters make a stand

It's rare that a team walks off the pitch to a standing ovation after losing by seven points.

But that's what happened in Portlaoise yesterday as the home supporters amongst the 5,387 attendance showed their appreciation for the efforts of Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett and his players against Galway.

2-17 to 1-13 was the final scoreline but that didn't do justice to the O'Moore County's valiant display.

The hosts exposed frailties in Galway that manager Anthony Cunningham will have to address if they are to retain the Bob O'Keeffe Cup on Sunday, July 7th.

Laois played with pride in the jersey … an attribute that, from the outside looking in, seems to be in short supply with their footballing counterparts at the moment.

Lightning strikes twice

Kevin Reilly's 32nd minute goal against Wicklow in Aughrim on Saturday evening has been described as a 'freak'.

It was, however, a case of lightning striking twice as it was an exact replica of a goal scored by the Royal captain against Roscommon in the FL Division 3 at Dr Hyde Park earlier this year.

Garden County netminder John Flynn was left red-faced after he was caught off his line by the hop of the ball. Rossies 'keeper Geoffrey Claffey knows the feeling all too well.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Harry Murphy and his team who now face the prospect of having to travel to Armagh for round one of the qualifiers.

Royal boss Mick O'Dowd, meanwhile, will have been pleased with the displays of debutants Eamon Wallace and Michael Newman but there is plenty of room for improvement ahead of their semi-final clash with Wexford on Sunday week.

Faithful face stiff test

Offaly drew the short straw in this morning's All-Ireland SFC qualifiers round 1 draw.

Emmet McDonnell and his team were paired against Tyrone … the team that everyone else was hoping to avoid.

The Faithful County produced a spirited display against Kildare in the Leinster SFC quarter-final before finishing three points in arrears at the final whistle.

They will need more of the same against Mickey Harte and his team but their hand has been weakened by the loss of Brian Connor and John Moloney to the US for the summer.

Kevin Walsh and Sligo will also face Ulster opposition in the shape of Derry as they bid to put the nightmare of their Connacht SFC defeat by London behind them. Tweet

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