Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Laois GAA

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Irish:
  
Laois

Nickname(s):
  
The O'Moore County

NFL:
  
Division 2

Province:
  
Leinster

Dominant sport:
  
Dual county

Ground(s):
  
O'Moore Park, Portlaoise

The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) (Irish: Cumann Luthchleas Gael Coiste Laois) or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.

Contents

History

Laois are a dual county, enjoying comparative success at both Gaelic football and hurling. Laois are one of a select group of counties to have contested All Ireland finals in both football and hurling, and are six times Leinster Senior Football Champions, and three times Leinster Senior Hurling Champions.

In recent times Laois have been more successful footballers than hurlers. Laois minors have had considerable success over the past two decades, and the Laois senior footballers reached the Leinster final in 2003 (victorious), 2004, and 2005.

Laois hurlers currently compete in the Liam MacCarthy Cup, a competition reserved for the premiere hurling counties.

Gaelic football

Laois contested the second ever All-Ireland final in 1889 and also won the first ever National Football League final beating Dublin in the 1926 final. 1936 saw the only other appearance by Laois in an All-Ireland senior decider.

Laois beat Monaghan by a point in the 1986 National Football League final. Liam Irwin and Colm Browne both won All Stars for their performances that year.

During the 1990s Laois had a number of successes at Minor and U-21 level, including All-Ireland Minor Football Championships in 1996 and 1997.

During the mid-2000s Laois Gaelic football became a strong force at all age levels. Under former Kerry and Kildare manager Mick O'Dwyer, Laois were National Football League runners-up and Leinster Senior Football Championship winners in 2003. Laois would go on to contest the Leinster Senior Football Championship Final again in 2004 (lost after a replay) and 2005 (lost by 1 point). During the same period the Minor team were All-Ireland Minor Champions in 2003, and Leinster Champions in 2004, 2005 and 2007, while the U-21 panel were Leinster Champions in 2006 and 2007.

In 2006, Mick O'Dwyer's management of Laois ended and he was replaced by the former Limerick manager, Liam Kearns. After two years Liam Kearns was replaced by Sean Dempsey in 2008. Dempsey who had led the Laois minors to All-Ireland success in 2003 commenced a major re-building exercise in 2009 but failed to achieve any success and was replaced by Justin McNulty for the 2011 season. After three seasons in charge, McNulty stepped down to be replaced by Tomás Ó Flatharta.

Honours

  • Twice Finalists in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
  • 1889, 1936
  • 3 All-Ireland Minor Football Championships
  • 1996, 1997, 2003
  • 1 All-Ireland Junior Football Championship
  • 1973
  • 1 All-Ireland 'B'
  • 1993
  • 2 National Football Leagues
  • 1926, 1986
  • Once runners-up: 2003
  • Five times semi-finalists: 1952, 1978, 1994, 1995, 1997
  • 6 Leinster Senior Football Championships
  • 1889, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1946, 2003
  • 8 Leinster U21 Football Championships
  • 1964, 1969, 1982, 1987, 1994, 1998, 2006, 2007
  • 9 Leinster Minor Football Championships
  • 1932, 1966, 1967, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2007
  • 5 Leinster Junior Football Championships
  • 1907, 1941, 1968, 1973, 1993
  • 5 O'Byrne Cups
  • 1978, 1987, 1991, 1994 and 2005
  • Women's MF in 1992
  • Portlaoise won All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship in 1983

    • All Stars

    Laois have a total of 5 football All Stars.

  • 1986: Colm Browne, Liam Irwin
  • 2003: Fergal Byron, Joe Higgins, Tom Kelly

    • Current football squad

  • Manager: Mick Behan (Courtwood)
  • Selectors: Rory Doyle,ronan coff

    • Squad as per Laois vs Dublin, 2016 Leinster Senior Football Championship Quarter Final, May 2016

    Laois Club Football

    The major local club competitions in Laois are the championships which are listed below.

    In addition, all teams compete in the All-County Football League from Division 1 down to Division 5.

    Laois Senior Football Championship

    Laois Intermediate Football Championship

    Laois Junior Football Championship

    Laois Junior "B" Football Championship

    Laois Junior "C" Football Championship

    Laois Under 21 Football Championship

    Laois Minor Football Championship

    Hurling

    Laois won one All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship title, in 1915, when the day was so wet the team reportedly played the second half in their overcoats.

    Laois currently competes in the Liam MacCarthy Cup (Tier 1 of the Senior Hurling Championship), but has also won three All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championships.

    The hurlers reached National Hurling League semi-finals in 1981 and 1983 before losing the Centenary Cup hurling final to Cork in 1984, and were back in the National Hurling League semi-final in 1996.

    Laois most recently contested the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship final in 1985, in what was to be a disappointing final defeat against Offaly.

    Honours

  • 1 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
  • 1915
  • 0 National Hurling Leagues
  • Thrice semi-finalists (1981, 1983, 1996)
  • 2 Div 2 Hurlings (1960, 1965)
  • 3 All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championships
  • 1977, 1979, 2002
  • 1 All Ireland U21 B
  • 2004
  • Leinster Senior Hurling Championships: 3
  • 1914, 1915, 1949
  • 1 Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championships
  • 1983
  • 4 Leinster Minor Hurling Championships
  • 1934, 1940, 1941, 1964
  • 3 Leinster Junior Hurling Championships
  • 1910, 1914, 1933
  • 2 Walsh Cups
  • 1980, 1991
  • Walsh Shield: 1
  • 2008, 2010
  • 1 Kehoe Cup
  • 1982

    • All Stars

    Laois have 1 hurling All Star.

  • 1985: Pat Critchley

    • Current hurling squad

  • Manager: Éamonn Kelly
  • Selector: Conor Gleeson
  • Coach: Ollie Moran

    • Squad as per Laois v Galway, 2017 National Hurling League Round 3, 5 March 2017

    Laois Club Hurling

    The major local club hurling competitions in Laois are the championships which are listed below.

    In addition, all teams compete in the All-County Hurling League from Division 1 down to Division 5.

    Laois Senior Hurling Championship

    Laois Intermediate Hurling Championship

    Laois Junior Hurling Championship

    Laois Under 21 Hurling Championship

    Laois Minor Hurling Championship

    Laois Junior "B" Hurling Championship

    Laois Junior "C" Hurling Championship

    Camogie

    Harps won three All Ireland junior club titles in 2006-8. Laois won the Nancy Murray Cup in 2007. They won the third division of the National Camogie League in 2010. They won the under-16 B title in 2000.

    Notable players include soaring star award winners Louise Mahony and Eimear Moynan

    Under Camogie's National Development Plan 2010-2015, "Our Game, Our Passion," Carlow, Cavan, Laois, Louth and Roscommon are to get a total of 17 new clubs by 2015.

    Clubs of Laois

    see Category:Gaelic Athletic Association clubs in County Laois

    References

    Laois GAA Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA