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Getting too familiar with the recurring Division 4 thread unfortunately!
Good start last weekend, can immediately see the influence of the new manager and coaching team in terms of making us stronger down the middle.
Use of the fly keeper is something we did well under John Sugrue a couple of years ago when we went from Div 4 to Div 2 and got to Leinster Final, but we went away from it when Graham Brody stepped away from the panel. Not surprised to see an Armagh man bring it back as a tactic considering the success of Rafferty in that role.
We had to go back to basics defensively after the shambles of the Tailteann semi final last year so I expect that to be an emphasis in the league.
Don't think we have the firepower to put teams away so you'd expect every game to be tight.
Also good to see 3/4 new lads commit to the panel this year and make their debut, with still a couple of the older guard to come back, as always I've nothing but admiration for lads that make so many sacrifices to pull on the jersey for little reward.
So a good start, but we said that last year when we beat Sligo up in Sligo on the opening day last year, and that didn't turn out as we hoped…lots of twists to come no doubt!
Laoisvillian (Laois) - Posts: 80 - 02/02/2024 20:34:26
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Replying To Laoisvillian: "Getting too familiar with the recurring Division 4 thread unfortunately!
Good start last weekend, can immediately see the influence of the new manager and coaching team in terms of making us stronger down the middle.
Use of the fly keeper is something we did well under John Sugrue a couple of years ago when we went from Div 4 to Div 2 and got to Leinster Final, but we went away from it when Graham Brody stepped away from the panel. Not surprised to see an Armagh man bring it back as a tactic considering the success of Rafferty in that role.
We had to go back to basics defensively after the shambles of the Tailteann semi final last year so I expect that to be an emphasis in the league.
Don't think we have the firepower to put teams away so you'd expect every game to be tight.
Also good to see 3/4 new lads commit to the panel this year and make their debut, with still a couple of the older guard to come back, as always I've nothing but admiration for lads that make so many sacrifices to pull on the jersey for little reward.
So a good start, but we said that last year when we beat Sligo up in Sligo on the opening day last year, and that didn't turn out as we hoped…lots of twists to come no doubt!" Remember going up to Croker to see us meet in the LSF in 2008. Div4 in the Park not just the same! Looking forward to it though!
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 12113 - 02/02/2024 21:26:56
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Very comprehensive Laois villain. Last year Laois failed to go up on head to head v Wicklow despite having a 22 point advantage over Wicklow in the score difference stakes. And Laois will be fitter, hungrier, and better organised this year. Maybe I'll be eating humble pie, but I'm backing us strongly to get promotion. The winner of the Carlow Leitrim game to join us.
Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 768 - 02/02/2024 21:36:24
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Replying To Viking66: "Remember going up to Croker to see us meet in the LSF in 2008. Div4 in the Park not just the same! Looking forward to it though!" Being 10 points down at HT in Wexford Park in 2018 is still fresh in the mind, always a tough place to go!
Some of us stayed to see the fight back that day, others didn't, isn't that right @MaloneMagic..?!
Laoisvillian (Laois) - Posts: 80 - 02/02/2024 22:03:09
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Replying To Laoisvillian: "Being 10 points down at HT in Wexford Park in 2018 is still fresh in the mind, always a tough place to go!
Some of us stayed to see the fight back that day, others didn't, isn't that right @MaloneMagic..?!" :-D
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 12113 - 03/02/2024 08:39:45
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Replying To Laoisvillian: "Being 10 points down at HT in Wexford Park in 2018 is still fresh in the mind, always a tough place to go!
Some of us stayed to see the fight back that day, others didn't, isn't that right @MaloneMagic..?!" Ref played some lot of injury time at the end of normal time in that 1!
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 12113 - 03/02/2024 08:43:50
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Half time in tonight's games
Carlow doing OK
Surprised that Laois have an 8 point advantage
Blackbog (Carlow) - Posts: 705 - 03/02/2024 18:46:19
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I did predict last night that Laois would be very strong despite one or two doubters. A typical GAA trait is to say that the team that beat your own aren't up to much.
Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 768 - 03/02/2024 19:32:56
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Replying To Malonemagic: "I did predict last night that Laois would be very strong despite one or two doubters. A typical GAA trait is to say that the team that beat your own aren't up to much." Looking forward to meeting Leix in 2 weeks
You have the hex on us
I think.however it will be tight enough
Blackbog (Carlow) - Posts: 705 - 03/02/2024 20:40:33
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Replying To Malonemagic: "I did predict last night that Laois would be very strong despite one or two doubters. A typical GAA trait is to say that the team that beat your own aren't up to much." Laois were well deserving of their win although 10 points flattered you a bit. Deserved favourites for promotion. Hopefully we will be a little sharper the next day out.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 12113 - 03/02/2024 20:40:56
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Thought Carlow were sloppy enough tonight but Waterford were as bad a county team as I've ever seen. Carlow should really have won by closer to 20 points. Looking forward to Leix in two weeks time. Carlow have a real chance I think. Especially if rumour tonight in Carlow is true that McNulty is gone as Leix manager after tonight's game he's resigned as manager after been told he has to step down by the SDLP.
Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1412 - 04/02/2024 00:21:49
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Replying To Onion Breath: "Thought Carlow were sloppy enough tonight but Waterford were as bad a county team as I've ever seen. Carlow should really have won by closer to 20 points. Looking forward to Leix in two weeks time. Carlow have a real chance I think. Especially if rumour tonight in Carlow is true that McNulty is gone as Leix manager after tonight's game he's resigned as manager after been told he has to step down by the SDLP." Jim Allister isn't taking his seat and is free to take the Queens County job. That's what I heard anyway Onion Breath.
Agreed re Waterford. Did what they needed to do though and won by 11pts. Those couple of extra goals wouldn't have flattered them, but Maryborough will tell the tale…
Passer_By (Carlow) - Posts: 510 - 04/02/2024 01:02:17
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Replying To Passer_By: "Jim Allister isn't taking his seat and is free to take the Queens County job. That's what I heard anyway Onion Breath.
Agreed re Waterford. Did what they needed to do though and won by 11pts. Those couple of extra goals wouldn't have flattered them, but Maryborough will tell the tale…" Now you say wouldn't Allister be the ideal replacement for McNulty. A Queens Counsel for the Queens County !
Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1412 - 04/02/2024 09:32:18
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Replying To Onion Breath: "Now you say wouldn't Allister be the ideal replacement for McNulty. A Queens Counsel for the Queens County !" Ah no - he's a King's Counsel now so he'd have to go to Offaly !
saorkick (Dublin) - Posts: 13 - 04/02/2024 11:53:21
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Replying To Passer_By: "Jim Allister isn't taking his seat and is free to take the Queens County job. That's what I heard anyway Onion Breath.
Agreed re Waterford. Did what they needed to do though and won by 11pts. Those couple of extra goals wouldn't have flattered them, but Maryborough will tell the tale…" Marlborough... that's what my Grandmother always called Portlaoise
Blackbog (Carlow) - Posts: 705 - 04/02/2024 15:10:25
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Replying To Blackbog: "Marlborough... that's what my Grandmother always called Portlaoise" Aye, Marlboro were a nice smoke. Did your Grannie buy them in Maryborough, Leix ?
saorkick (Dublin) - Posts: 13 - 04/02/2024 15:43:25
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Good response from Tipperary today.
Blackbog (Carlow) - Posts: 705 - 04/02/2024 16:55:51
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Ok, so sparring stage is over,..... and probably not any the wiser.
Obviously can't see Waterford or London being in the shake-up. Can they put a spanner in the works for any of the others - I actually don't think so. London have only 2 home games left, 1 against Waterford and 1 against Tipp next week. A bit tricky but still think Tipperary will come through. Waterford only have Longford (next week) and Laois at home. Longford in a must-win and should come through. I'm giving everyone wins against Waterford and London.
On that basis.....a "presumed" table for the 6 contenders..... plus fixtures only against the others
Laois 8 pts (4 games) vs Car, @ Tipp, vs Lei
Carlow 6 pts (3 games) @ Lao, vs Lei, vs Wxf @ Lgf
Tipperary 6 pts (4 games) vs Lao vs Wxf @ Lei
Leitrim 4 pts (2 games) vs Wxf @ Car @ Lgf @ Lao vs Tipp
Wexford 4 pts ( 3 games) @ Lei @ Car @ Tip vs Lgf
Longford 4 pts ( 4 games) vs Lei vs Car @ Wxf
Stating the blindingly obvious - - its still there for all of the six of them. I don't think the next round game is a 'must-win for Laois/Carlow - but the winner probably makes themselves favourite for promotion, but only favourite - far from a guarantee. Laois for obvious reasons have points to come etc, Carlow because their next 2 'big' matches are at home - so both can back on track quite easily.
Next round Leitrim/Wexford may be slightly a bigger match in many ways as the loser is in bother. Leitrim then face 3 consecutive away matches, Wexford keep on the road ( contenders-wise) vs Carlow and Tipperary. Nasty. Both teams on wrong end of the schedule - but home advantage is perhaps slightly less in this division as they are so used to playing each other!
Couldn't call it yet. From a Leitrim perspective its a bit of 'let's see'. Forwards look really good though, even without Keith Byrne! and he may very well be back before the end of the league. Defence needs work, riding their luck to date - but still, improvements can made there more easily than the forwards through organisation. Still would have liked one of the Carlow, Longford, Laois back-to-back games in Carrick-on Shannon all the same.
Solo_Run (Leitrim) - Posts: 209 - 05/02/2024 12:02:16
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Previous post looks messy (tabs) so for better clarity
On that basis.....a "presumed" table for the 6 contenders - where I've "disrespectively" slotted in expected wins / games against Waterford and London..... and then plus their remaining fixtures against the 'contenders' = to see how it looks
Laois.......... 8 pts (4 games)..................................... vs Car, @ Tipp, vs Lei
Carlow....... 6 pts (3 games).................................... @ Lao, vs Lei, vs Wxf, @ Lgf
Tipperary.. 6 pts (4 games),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,....... vs Lao, vs Wxf, @ Lei
Leitrim...... 4 pts (2 games)...................................... vs Wxf, @ Car, @ Lgf, @ Lao, vs Tipp
Wexford.... 4 pts ( 3 games).................................... @ Lei, @ Car, @ Tip, vs Lgf
Longford,,,,4 pts ( 4 games)...................................... vs Lei, vs Car, @ Wxf
Solo_Run (Leitrim) - Posts: 209 - 05/02/2024 12:53:15
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Replying To Blackbog: "Good response from Tipperary today." Ya I was expecting a Longford win, mainly on the basis of home advantage and them looking to rebound post the first round loss. Goes to show there is no such thing as a foregone result. Puts Tipp potentially back on track, season doesn't look as promising for Longford now
In another twist,Laois a lot of folk's favorite for promotion, have a sideline drama bubbling away in terms of their managers dual role. Personally I find it hard to see how he can do both, now that he has drawn attention to himself in this manner, better if he had let one of the selectors run the line against Wexford … not a good look to put it mildly on such a historic day. Still a good result for the Laois men.
Bainisteoir (National) - Posts: 540 - 05/02/2024 14:47:11
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