It is an extremely busy Saturday on the Laois GAA front with no fewer than 14 significant games down for decision.
We have two SFC games, two IFC games, three JFC matches, two Ladies SFC matches, both MHC semi finals and three U-15 finals.
Below, we will take a more in depth look at how these games will pan out:
Laois SFC Round 2 Qualifier Section – Arles-Killeen v Killeshin
In O’Moore Park at 6pm
All four of the relegation semi finalists will be known by the end of the night and one more is going to come from this game.
Killeshin were well beaten by Ballyroan-Abbey in Round 1 two weeks ago and are still likely to be without the likes of Shane Bolger through injury.
Arles-Killeen were competitive for 40 minutes against Stradbally but died off and lost heavily in the end.
There are concerns about the fitness of Donie Kingston and they really need him firing to get out of this predicament.
Killeshin are the favourites but this one could be close.
Odds – Killeshin 1/3, Arles-Killeen 11/4, Draw 15/2
Laois SFC Round 2 Qualifier Section – Emo v The Heath
In O’Moore Park at 7.30pm
Neighbours clash in the final of the Round 2 Qualifier games as Emo take on The Heath this evening.
Defeated semi finalists from 2020, Emo got off to a bad start by losing 2-18 to 0-14 to O’Dempsey’s.
They were without Finbarr Crowley that day and while he is now back in the country, it is understood he is now struggling with injury.
The Heath lost out to Graiguecullen in Round 1 and their injury list has grown since.
Jimmy Nerney, PJ Daly and Alan Whelan missed that game while Ciaran Booth is set to join them on the sidelines through injury and they are also set to be without youngster Aaron Thornton.
This should be an opportunity for Emo to get their season back on track.
Odds – Emo 1/2, The Heath 15/8 Draw 7/1
Laois IFC Round 2 Qualifier Section – Portlaoise v Arles-Kilcruise
In Ratheniska at 5.30pm
Portlaoise and Arles-Kilcruise battled out several county finals from 2009 to 2012 but now it is Portlaoise’s second team who Kilcruise face.
A narrow defeat to Mountmellick has left Kilcruise at the last chance saloon stage.
While Portlaoise were heavily beaten by O’Dempsey’s in Round 1 and appear to be really struggling.
Whoever loses will join The Rock in the relegation final and it will be a big surprise if that is not Portlaoise.
Laois IFC Round 2 Winner’s Section – Mountmellick v O’Dempsey’s
In Portarlington at 5.30pm
Mountmellick look to have turned a corner under new manager Gordon Lalor and their Round 1 win over Kilcruise was impressive.
This is O’Dempsey’s second string’s second year at this level and a big Round 1 win over Portlaoise guarantees another.
The winner here will join Park-Ratheniska in the semi finals and that should be Mountmellick.
Laois JFC Round 2
The first round of the JFC got off to a very disappointing start with three of the scheduled six games ending in walkovers.
We’ll hope for better this weekend and there are three games down for decision on Saturday.
Group B is now essentially a three team group as Errill have now given a second walkover to The Heath and will be thrown out of the competition.
Ballyroan-Abbey face Barrowhouse at 2.30pm where a win for the hosts will seal their place in the last eight. They had a big win over The Heath in Round 1 while Barrowhouse have yet to play thanks to Errill and that could be the difference in the end.
At 5.30pm, Castletown host Portarlington in Group A where a win for the hosts will guarantee them a place in the quarter finals with a game to play.
Castletown received a walkover from The Harps while Portarlington were beaten by Portlaoise and home advantage may stand to Castletown.
Also at 5.30pm, Camross are down to play St Joseph’s in Group C. They gave a walkover to Kilcavan so they have to win this game to have any chance of progressing to the knock-out phase.
St Joseph’s won this competition a few years ago and if the game goes ahead, they should have too much.
Laois Ladies SFC Round 2
There are two more games in the Ladies SFC down for decision at 6pm this evening – one from each group.
In Group A, St Conleth’s host Timahoe with both sides having won their opening fixture.
Whoever wins this will be in pole place to top the group and qualify for the semis – and with Timahoe set to be without Mo Nerney through injury, that could tip it St Conleth’s way.
The game in Group B sees 2020 IFC champions Shanahoe travel to St Brigid’s.
The latter held county champions Portlaoise to a draw last week and you’d imagine that a performance like that should be enough to take the points.
SEE ALSO – Laois GAA launch competition to design new county jersey for 2022
The post Previewing Saturday’s Laois GAA action with 14 games down for decision appeared first on Laois Today.
source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2021/09/18/previewing-saturdays-laois-gaa-action-with-14-games-down-for-decision/
No comments:
Post a Comment