Laois is one of the few counties to have featured in All Ireland Finals in hurling and football, underlining its status as a true dual county. Their footballers lost All Irelands in 1889 and 1936, but won the first National League in 1926. 101 years ago their hurlers won the 1915 All Ireland Final.
The Nineties Minors
The 2000s golden generation from Laois was based on a series of top class minor sides that contested three All Irelands from 1996-1998, winning two. They were managed by Gabriel Lawlor and threatened to dominate on into the senior grade. Classy Laois footballers from the noughties era include the brilliant Beano McDonald, Padraig Clancy, Fergal Byron, Joe Higgins and Tom Kelly to name a handful. They won a further minor championship in 2003, adding more talent to the senior panel. The players of the era may have a few regrets in looking at what u18 rivals Kerry and Tyrone achieved but their Leinster championship was a significant breakthrough in a highly competitive province at the time.
Cheddar Plunkett
The inspirational Laois hurling manager who stepped down in 2016. A charismatic and distinctive figure with the most recognizable name in GAA management, Cheddar is an unrelenting and positive force for Laois hurling. His open resignation letter was a thing of class, oozing passion: “The privilege of leading a group of Laois hurling warriors on championship Sundays will not be surpassed wherever one goes.”
O'Moore Stadium Portlaoise
O'Moore Stadium is one of the country's premium GAA provincial stadium with a Capacity of 27,000. First constructed in 1888, Laois were the first gaa county to buy their own stadium which came six years after the establishment of Croke Park as GAA Headquarters. Prior to being bought by the Laois county board it was property of Maryborough GAC. It is a regular fixture for club championship games. O'Moore Park has a particular resonance for the likes of Derry’s Ballinderry who won their single All Ireland club title there, back in the days before Croke Park was used for club deciders.
The Harps Camogie
The Harps Camogie team from Durrow in Co Laois, inspired by the Mahoney sisters, won All Ireland Junior club titles in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
They reached the All Ireland intermediate final in 2011 and the semi finals in 2012 and were the standard bearers for Laois camogie and Leinster during this time, with a fantastic record and reputation. Louise Mahoney the lynchpin of the team won a Camogie soaring star in 2009 for her displays with the Laois county team.
The Third Coming of Mick O'Dwyer
Micko's third coming at Laois added considerable interest to the O'Moore men's campaigns in the noughties. A familiar figure making a welcome return to the touchline, there he'd stand with a furled programme in hand inscrutably viewing proceeding on the pitch. Resolutely old school, Micko eschewed the 'modern' practices becoming prevalent like dietitians and weights to continue with his tried, tested and successful methods, albeit from an older era. He achieved a measure of success with the rump of brilliant minor players from the ‘96, ‘97 and ‘98 panels. Probably succeeded in lifting the profile of Laois GAA at the time. Colm Parkinson said of Micko’s influence: “He came in and gave us that boost of confidence that we needed, told us that we were as good as any other team he had trained, which was massive to hear from him.” Ultimately the biggest prize eluded them although they did win that elusive Leinster title in 2003.
High Scoring Hurling
In 2016 Borris-in-Ossory/Kilcotton GAA and Rathdowney/Errill played out what must be one of the highest ever scoring club hurling finals. The match ended 2-26 apiece, with Borris-in/Ossory winning the replay 1-18 to 2-10. The first game was top quality stuff, played on a day when a remarkable four county finals were draws. Eye catching stuff, the eyewatering scoreline suggests the ball was never out of play for too long.
And Finally, Colm Parkinson
The feisty, entertaining sports journo known as Wooly or Woolberto as his Twitter handle has it. Probably best known to current GAA fans for his forthright brand of GAA journalism which is a breath of fresh air and common sense, though it does tend to annoy a few people also. Wooly isn’t afraid to mix it online, formerly in his role with Newstalk, and now as GAA editor with Joe.ie where he broadcasts the entertaining GAA Hour four times a week. Colm Parkinson was one of the leading lights of that brilliant Laois minor team in the late nineties. Wooly had a successful club career with Portlaoise winning a Leinster title before defeating Crossmaglen to get to an All Ireland Final which they unfortunately lost. As a player Wooly also won a Sigerson with IT Tralee in a star studded team featuring the likes of Jim McGuinness and Seamus Moynihan.
The new Laois GAA Jersey is now available in-stores and online.
