The LOETB Laois LGFA Championships have reached the closing stages, with eight adult championship matches taking place across the weekend.
First up on Friday evening are three Junior Championship fixtures: the Junior A semi-final replay between Portlaoise and Shanahoe, along with two Junior B semi-finals.
Portlaoise v Shanahoe – Portlaoise GAA, 7.30pm
The original fixture produced a thrilling draw, with Portlaoise fighting back from nine points down to bring the game to extra time. Even after another 20 minutes, neither side could be separated, with very little between the teams throughout. The replay promises to be another brilliant contest.
LOETB Junior B Semi-finals
Timahoe v Rathdowney-Errill – Crettyard GAA, 7.30pm
Timahoe have emerged as early favourites for the inaugural LOETB Junior B Championship. They came through the group stages with convincing victories over St. Brigid’s and Killeshin, scoring 11-34 across the two games while conceding just nine points.
Timahoe’s senior team also have a 100% championship record, and both squads are likely to benefit from the success and competition within their shared training environment.
On the other hand, Rathdowney-Errill are featuring in their first-ever adult LGFA championship semi-final, a reflection of the development of ladies Gaelic football in the area. They secured a three-point win over Graiguecullen and followed it with a 19-point victory against Ballinakill, with their only group-stage defeat coming against table-toppers Sarsfields.
However, the knockout stages can bring a different challenge, and both teams will be determined to secure their place in the LOETB Junior B Final in October.
Sarsfields v St. Brigid’s – Rosenallis GAA, 7.30pm
Sarsfields came through a competitive group, defeating Rathdowney-Errill, Graiguecullen and Ballinakill. While none of those victories came by more than six points, their resilience and determination throughout the group stage could prove valuable when they face a strong St. Brigid’s side on Friday evening.
St. Brigid’s suffered a heavy defeat to Timahoe in Round 1 but responded well, overcoming Killeshin by five points. With their Intermediate team also in action on Saturday afternoon, St. Brigid’s will be hoping to secure two championship final appearances in October.
Saturday 26th September
LOETB Intermediate Semi-finals
St. Brigid’s v Killeshin – Stradbally GAA, 1.30pm
The first LOETB Intermediate semi-final throws in at 1.30pm in Stradbally GAA.
St. Brigid’s face Killeshin, with St. Brigid’s having won the previous meeting between the sides in Round 1, 1-12 to 0-08.
Since then, however, Killeshin have bounced back strongly, winning all four of their subsequent games. St. Brigid’s have also enjoyed an impressive run, winning four of their five matches, with their only defeat coming against Ballyfin in a high-scoring encounter.
The margins have been tight throughout, and with a place in the LOETB Intermediate Final at stake, this promises to be a cracker on Saturday afternoon.
Tickets for this game can be purchased here:
Ballyfin v Shanahoe – Emo GAA, 2.00pm
The first of three games in Emo GAA gets underway at 2pm, with Ballyfin meeting Shanahoe for the fourth time this season.
Earlier in the year, the sides faced each other in the LOETB Division 2 League group stages before meeting again in the Division 2 final. Ballyfin came out on top on both occasions, by four points and one point respectively.
Their most recent meeting came in the LOETB Intermediate Championship group stages, where Ballyfin recorded a more convincing 11-point victory.
Ballyfin’s only defeat this season came against Killeshin, with five wins from six games enough to see them top the group. Shanahoe endured a more challenging campaign, recording victories over Crettyard and St. Paul’s but falling to St. Brigid’s, Killeshin and Ballyfin.
With the sides already so familiar with one another, another close contest is expected on Saturday afternoon.
LOETB Senior Semi-finals
St. Joseph’s v Ballyroan – Emo GAA, 4.00pm
St. Joseph’s were rewarded with an automatic semi-final place after finishing the group stages with a 100% record against Sarsfields, Park Ratheniska and St. Conleths.
Ballyroan, meanwhile, have enjoyed an impressive season of their own. They opened their campaign with a sensational victory over reigning champions Portlaoise before responding to a Round 2 defeat against Timahoe by overcoming Graiguecullen. They then edged past a determined Sarsfields side by two points in their quarter-final.
But there is only one place in the LOETB Senior Championship Final up for grabs at 4pm on Saturday. Both teams have enjoyed seasons to remember, but only one will take another step towards an unforgettable finish.
Timahoe v St. Conleths – Emo GAA, 6.30pm
Could this be the game of the championship?
Timahoe and St. Conleths have already met in what was described by news outlets as a potential “game of the season” in the LOETB Division 1 Final.
It was tit-for-tat throughout, with St. Conleths eventually prevailing by a single point after extra time. Since then, Timahoe have responded in excellent fashion, winning all championship games.
However, very little is expected to separate these two sides once again. Both teams have already defeated reigning LOETB Senior champions Portlaoise on their respective routes to the semi-final, underlining their credentials in this year’s championship.
Too tight to call — this is a game not to be missed.
Tickets for the triple header in Emo GAA on Saturday can be purchased here:
Intermediate Relegation Final, Sunday 27th September: Crettyard v St. Pauls’ – Annanough GAA, 11.45am
Finally, the relegation play-off between Crettyard and St. Paul’s throws in at 11.45am in Annanough GAA on Sunday, 27th September.
The sides met in Round 1 of the LOETB Championship, with Crettyard coming out on top by eight points. Since then, neither team has managed to register a win, setting up a crucial meeting on Sunday.
With Intermediate status for 2027 on the line, there is plenty at stake for both sides and another tight encounter is expected.
By Aoife Langford Thu 24th Sep
