BRAND recognition has never been Irish basketball’s strong suit. Clubs have come and clubs have gone down the years, many of them victims of the painfully thin margins on which they exist. Others have withstood long financial winters by donning the name of whatever sponsor can come up with the goods to keep the wolf from the door.

How do you measure heartache? Years spent in the doldrums, woeful win-loss ratios, and player unrest or disinterest are all useful, dependable, barometers.

Pat Critchley has heard Laois’ landmark win over Dublin described as the county’s most significant in the Championship since 1985 and can’t disagree.

CASTLEHAVEN clubman Michael Hurley put Cork IT to the sword with a sensational exhibition of point scoring – he hit a total of 0-12, half of his tally coming from open play - as Pat Critchley's side emerged worthy six point victors of this fast-flowing Sigerson Cup 2nd round tie at the IT Carlow grounds last night.

For the last 12 months there has been a welcome change in the narrative around Laois hurling.

When Laois ran Clare to four points in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 quarter-final, the general reaction was surprise mixed with the usual praise-masquerading-as-condescension.

They missed out on the big prize but yesterday proves their place in history is safe.

The GAA are to honour the 15 outstanding hurlers from the 1980s who were unsuccessful in annexing an All-Ireland winner’s medal.

Some of the greatest hurlers never to win an All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship medal will have their contributions to the game acknowledged on All-Ireland finals day at Croke Park on Sunday week (September 8).

Dublin chairman Andy Kettle believes other counties could learn from the capital’s successful transition from hurling pauper to provincial royalty.

A strange phenomenon has been occurring in Laois.

It was like old times in the Portlaoise yesterday, going back to the ’80s when Laois were challenging Offaly, and challenging everyone else too. In those days the only prisoners taken were down the road, in Portlaoise jail.

While lesser lights will be hoping to get back in the big time, Cork and Clare are fighting to stay there

Seamus Plunkett has been handed a one-year term as Laois Senior Hurling manager following his ratification at a County Committee meeting last night.

Seamus Plunkett has been ratified as the new Laois hurling manager on a one-year deal.

Laois are set to appoint their fifth senior hurling manager in seven years, after it emerged yesterday that former Cork dual star Teddy McCarthy is set to take the role.

FORMER Cork dual star Teddy McCarthy will be named as the new Laois hurling manager in the next week.

James Young says that members of the Laois County Board executive should resign on the back of an inter-county season marred by disastrous results and commitment issues.

CHAMPIONS Cork put their TG4 ladies football title on the line in O’Connor Park, Tullamore this afternoon in the first of the All-Ireland semi-finals.

IT’S easy forget now but two decades ago, long before Clare, Wexford and Limerick were dragging the romance back into hurling, Laois and Offaly were jostling to make a similar breakthrough.