Potentially the club game of the year this weekend. Vincent's won a thriller last year, but Portlaoise have Home advantage and Zach Tuohy playing this time , and are good value at 9/4. The battle between Cahir Healy and Diarmuid Connolly will be great.

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 766 - 04/11/2014 11:24:11    1669560

Ger had been sent off due to some theatrics early on as I recall. Hard to see Portlaoise beating a full Vinnies team :-)

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 04/11/2014 11:30:12    1669562

Brennan played full game vs Portlaoise last year. Tough ask for Portlaoise as Vincents are a class team and have best player in the country by a mile.

Baxter (Laois) - Posts: 282 - 04/11/2014 12:01:40    1669578

No, Brennan was sent off in a different game. Portlaoise are very strong this year.

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 766 - 04/11/2014 12:33:45    1669588

I think Vincents will win this one handily enough.

lilywhite1 (Kildare) - Posts: 2990 - 04/11/2014 12:43:55    1669595

easy win for the town i reckon

lowballplease (Galway) - Posts: 935 - 04/11/2014 13:16:09    1669603

As a Portlaoise man who has seen every match this year I cant see us beating Vincents, we are not playing as well as a few years back and imo Vincents are best team in the country.

Baxter (Laois) - Posts: 282 - 04/11/2014 13:28:33    1669611

No surprise to see a Lillywhite tipping Portlaoise to lose. I think it's 50/50 but would expect Portlaoise toshade it

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 766 - 04/11/2014 13:28:52    1669612

Apologies! Hard to keep up with Ger's sendings off :-)

Be interesting to see what impact Tuohy has. Vinnies be hard to beat but Portloaise most likely to in Leinster for sure.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 04/11/2014 13:34:35    1669613

Hopefully Portlaoise can get the job done.

I have to say I was quite disappointed with them last year as I had hoped they'd have stopped Vinnies.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 04/11/2014 13:37:19    1669614

Malonemagic: "No surprise to see a Lillywhite tipping Portlaoise to lose. I think it's 50/50 but would expect Portlaoise toshade it.".

My opinion as which team I think will win has got nothing to do with where I'm from. I just think that St Vincent's will have to much for Portlaoise. I wish you the best on Sunday Malonemagic.

lilywhite1 (Kildare) - Posts: 2990 - 04/11/2014 15:40:22    1669655

Would also have to fancy Vincent's. All 6 forwards can cause damage which was seen in the county final when they still won with star forwards Connolly and Mossy being limited to 2 points

dubshurling7 (Dublin) - Posts: 1017 - 04/11/2014 15:43:05    1669657

Did Connolly play last year!? Was he not suspended after the county final!?

JayP (Dublin) - Posts: 1772 - 04/11/2014 16:46:11    1669677

Bit of a joke bringing tuohy home from Australia to play this game,the guy hasn't trained or player with them all year and some guy who has trained since January in all weathering conditions will loose his place in the clubs biggest game of the year,doesn't send out a great message to the squad

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 04/11/2014 18:01:25    1669691

Bit of a joke bringing tuohy home from Australia to play this game.

Why is it a joke? He is a portlaoise man through and through, grew up playing with them and has spoke about how if his circumstances were different he would still love to be able to play year round. He plays when his job allows he can.

the guy hasn't trained or player with them all year.

Wrong. He has trained and played with the club already this year.

and some guy who has trained since January in all weathering conditions will loose his place in the clubs biggest game of the year,doesn't send out a great message to the squad

Nobody begrudges Zach his time with porlaoise, a very popular guy and a role model to all club players young and old. A massive boost to the whole club, the player who potentially loses his place to Zach will be behind the team 100%

0853658 (Laois) - Posts: 25 - 05/11/2014 09:39:19    1669760

I agree he's from Portlaois that's his club what's the problem with him playing Hill? We've lads who our in Australia that come home for a few months and they play with us I don't see why his case is any different?

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 05/11/2014 09:49:23    1669763

you know what i ment by saying he hasnt trained or played with them all year
as in he hasnt done all the hard work for the entire year
and if some guy who has been their since january training in all weather
probably had to plan work and holidays around training and matches
hasnt got a problem with this guy coming home and taking his spot on the team in the most important game of the year
well then he must be even worse than some of you guys for having your eyes closed to it.
who cares if he played for the club growing up, he is not part of the panel this year
he is only being flown home to take somebody elses place
bad form in my book and what example is that to the guys coming through in that club
train hard all year and you will get your chance
oh wait just not if zack is coming home well sorry

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 05/11/2014 10:18:38    1669765

I had thought he had missed the final as well Jay. He was sent off against Lomans on foot of a marvelous exhibition of the Dying Swan by Westmeath man - and missed the semi final but was back for the final.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 05/11/2014 10:34:44    1669772

Its about winning. Portlaoise have a better chance with Tuohy in the team. As for training all year, He's a professional athlete. He trains for a living. He'll be the fittest player on the pitch by a mile. Ask any player on the portlaoise panel if they would rather have Tuohy in the team and win or leave him out and lose. I dont think its a difficult call.

jpcampion (Laois) - Posts: 194 - 05/11/2014 10:47:29    1669779

I've been informed by some colleagues of mine from the Portlaiose area that Tuohy was not specifically flown home for this reason. He was home for his sister's wedding and has apparently been around town now for quite a while.
Listen, thats only what I've been told, so maybe somebody from the Portlaoise club might come on and clarify this issue. Otherwise, its probably not fair to blacken the club and the individual until we know the full story. Lets remember, he is a member of the Portlaoise club and is a professional athlete who should be in peak physical condition. I certainly wouldnt blame Portlaoise for playing him if he's available.

OffalyBigBall (Offaly) - Posts: 625 - 05/11/2014 10:59:31    1669780