It's another busy weekend on the Laois GAA scene with three county teams in action again.  The Laois senior hurlers face a huge game against Westmeath on Saturday evening when they host Westmeath in the National Hurling League Division 1 relegation playoff in O'Moore Park.  Both sides will play in a six-team round-robin Leinster championship in 2022 but the loser of Saturday's game will be relegated to Division 2 of the league which wouldn't be ideal preparation for such a demanding championship.  Presenter Steven Miller is joined by Damien Carter to look ahead to that game, how the Laois team might line out and what to expect from Westmeath.  As well as that they chat about a busy weekend of club league games - with the semi-finals down for decision in both hurling and football.  Damien was on commentary duty for the O'Dempsey's v Portarlington Division 1 football game on Tuesday evening as Portarlington continue to impress ahead of the upcoming championship action.  Steven is also joined by Roscommon-based journalist Kevin Egan to look ahead to Sunday's All Ireland intermediate championship clash between Laois and Roscommon in Kinnegad.  Laois are in a decent position to qualify for the quarter-finals but a four-point win for Roscommon would send them through and knock Laois out.  We also chat briefly about the opening round of the All Ireland intermediate camogie championship where Laois entertain Derry in O'Moore Park on Saturday afternoon.     

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Must-win hurling relegation clash, big weekend for ladies footballers and camogie championship takes off

On the hottest weekend of the year, Laois GAA fans were treated to two incredible championship matches, both of which went right down to the wire.  On Saturday the senior hurlers pushed Waterford all the way in the All Ireland Qualifiers before eventually succumbing to a five-point loss.  Presenter Steven Miller is joined by Alan Hartnett and Damien Carter to look back on that game. Though disappointed that Laois didn't pull off a shock win, there has been a marked turnaround in approach since losing the opening game to Wexford.  But despite exiting the championship the season isn't finished just yet and Laois face Westmeath in the Division 1 league playoff this Saturday in O'Moore Park in a fixture that is likely to go right down to the wire again.  Steven and Alan also look back on Laois's win over Kildare in the All Ireland intermediate ladies football championship.  The ladies have played in a number of thrilling games already this year en route to winning the Division 3 league title - and their championship opener was an epic too.  They led by eight points early in the second half, trailed by four at the water break and eventually won by two.  They now play Roscommon in their second group game this Sunday where a win would see them top the group and face Louth or Offaly in the All Ireland quarter-final.  A draw or a loss of three points or less would see them through in second place to play Leitrim.  Alan also looks back on the club football league matches he was at at the weekend while the Go Games, a LaoisToday Golf Society and a Harry Kane apology also get a mention.

Hurlers go down fighting, ladies off to winning start and club leagues heat up

We're back with the latest edition of the Talking Sport Podcast and this episode is split in two parts.  Part 1 sees host Alan Hartnett chat with hurling analyst Damien Carter. The pair look back on the Laois U-20s dramatic clash with Kilkenny on Tuesday evening - a game they could've won! They also look ahead to the Laois senior hurlers clash with Waterford which takes place this weekend.  While Damien, a selector with the Laois minor hurlers this year, reflects on their disappointing exit from the championship against Kildare.  In part 2, Steven Miller joins Alan as the duo look back on the draw for the 2021 club championships which took place last week.  They go through the interesting ties, moan about structures and try to call who they think will win the top grades. 

Damien Carter on Laois U-20, senior and minor hurlers plus 2021 club championship draw overview

There's only one place to start after that weekend of sporting action and that's with the Laois hurlers, who recorded a thrilling win over Antrim in Parnell Park on Saturday.  It's a result that sends Laois into an All Ireland Hurling qualifier game with Waterford next weekend and also crucially keeps their place in next year's Leinster championship.  We hear from Laois manager Seamas 'Cheddar' Plunkett after the game as well as discussing the game's many talking points.  Laois's savage intensity, the brilliance of Enda Rowland, Paddy Purcell and Podge Delaney - among others - sin bins and red cards.  We also discuss how the GAA can come up with a system that keeps the likes of Laois and Antrim playing the top-tier counties, as well as the likes of Westmeath, Carlow and Kerry in a meaningful way.  We also look back on the Laois minor football loss to Louth, ahead to the U-20 hurling game with Kilkenny and go on various rambles on the way too.  Were you sorry to see England beaten? How hardy is Giorgio Chiellini? And remembering the day Paul McGrath kept Italy at bay in the World Cup.  As well as that we discuss a new local sporting star - 18-year-old jockey Julie McDonald from Spink.   

Laois hurl up a storm, minors bow out, first win for young jockey - and Euros come to an end

It could not be any busier for Laois GAA teams at the moment.  In the last 12 days there have been seven championship games for Laois teams - and an amount of talking points and controversies.  We've had extra times and penalty shootouts and a resignation from Laois senior football manager Mike Quirke.  And coming up we have the Laois hurlers in a crucial All Ireland Qualifier game against Antrim that also doubles up as relegation game to see who will drop to the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2022.  We start this episode by discussing Mike Quirke's decision to step down as Laois football manager in the wake of Sunday's 3-20 to 1-10 loss to Westmeath in the Leinster championship. How will his time in charge be remembered, who are the contenders to take over - and what can we expect of Laois over the next couple of seasons.  We look ahead to Laois's must-win hurling clash with Antrim as well as hearing from U-20 hurling captain as they look ahead to a Leinster quarter-final clash with Kilkenny next week on the back of wins over Westmeath and Antrim.  We also cast our eye back over the Laois v Kildare minor hurling championship game on Wednesday night that saw Laois crash out at the first hurdle.  And as well as looking ahead to the Laois v Louth minor football game, we hear from Dan Bannon, host of the Louth and Proud Podcast. 

Wanted: New football manager, huge game for hurlers, Fionan Mahony interview and minor football preview

After a bitterly disappointing couple of days of GAA in Laois, we are back with the latest Talking Sport Podcast. Alan Hartnett is not joined by Steven Miller this week as the latter is away on his holidays.  So this episode will comprise largely of different interviews - along with a brief monologue from Alan.  Up first, Laois football manager Mike Quirke gives his reaction to his side's crushing 16 point defeat to Westmeath on Sunday - and there is a rather tetchy exchange between him and Midlands 103's Jack Nolan.  Former Laois footballer Chris Conway then joins Alan to discuss the game and look at where Laois go from here.  There is some chat about the U-20 footballers who were very unlucky to lose to Wicklow on Thursday.  While the podcast concludes with a chat with Laois U-20 hurling manager Ollie Hally who's side are getting ready to face Antrim on Tuesday. 

Chris Conway on Laois footballer's demise, Mike Quirke reaction and Ollie Hally on U-20 hurlers

The GAA action keeps coming and we are back with another instalment of the Talking Sport Podcast.  Alan Hartnett is joined by Steven Miller to give a run down of the action that is ahead for Laois fans.  Before all of that, we have to go back to Tuesday evening and the drama that took place between Laois and Westmeath in the U-20 hurling championship.  Laois squandered a 15 point lead but came back to win by six in extra time and progress to the next round.  Eddie Kinsella's U-20 footballers are away to Wicklow in Round 1 of that championship this evening.  They have reached the last two provincial finals at this grade but are actually underdogs for this game.  The podcast will also hear from Laois senior manager Mike Quirke while the lads will preview their Leinster clash with Westmeath. 

U-20 hurling drama, U-20 footballers in Wicklow and senior football preview

It was another busy weekend of local GAA action with pride of place undoubtedly going to the Laois ladies footballers who claimed the Division 3 National League title with a thrilling win over Kildare on Sunday.  In an epic battle in Baltinglass, Mo Nerney popped up with the winning point with less than a minute of normal time remaining.  It was a heroic performance from Laois all round as they got the better of their neighbours for the the third time in a row - with this win also sealing promotion to Division 2 for 2022.  It also sets them up perfectly for the All Ireland intermediate championship - where Kildare and Roscommon, the side they beat in the league semi-final, in their group.  We hear from manager Donie Brennan while Steven and Alan look back on the game.  We also hear from Laois hurling manager Seamas 'Cheddar' Plunkett in the wake of their disappointing 5-31 to 1-23 loss to Wexford in the opening round of the Leinster championship, a result that means they now have to beat Antrim in two weeks time to avoid dropping to the Joe McDonagh Cup competition once again.  As well as that Alan goes into detail on the Laois minor footballers' dramatic penalty shootout win over Wexford on Saturday.  And finally, we discuss Park-Ratheniska's Laois junior football championship win on Friday night and hear from their manager Kieran Kelly, chairman John Kelly, captain Mark Delaney and top scorer Kieran Delaney on what the success means for the club.   

Ladies triumph, hurlers disappoint, minor drama and joy for Park-Ratheniska

After an inter-county free weekend last week, the top level of the GAA roars back into action this weekend.  Three Laois teams are set to take to the field with significant things at stake.  The Laois minor footballers begin their Leinster championship campaign at home to Wexford on Saturday afternoon.  The Laois senior hurlers will go in search of their first win of 2021 against Wexford in a Leinster quarter final later that day in Kilkenny.  Steven Miller and Alan Hartnett will preview both of those games and also look ahead to the Ladies National League Division 3 final on Sunday between Laois and Kildare.  The pair will also chat about Friday's 2020 junior football final which will see Park-Ratheniska take on Portlaoise.  The show will conclude with an interview with Laois ladies forward Erone Fitzpatrick.  A nightmare knee injury made 2020 even more unbearable for her than most of us but she is back now, flying again and hoping for a win in Baltinglass. 

Leinster action for senior hurlers and minor footballers plus Erone Fitzpatrick on ladies final

The longest day of the year this year is coinciding with a significant increase in sporting action both on a local and global scale. Four Laois adult county finals were down for decision over the weekend with four groups of players experiencing the thrill of championship success. On our latest LaoisToday Talking Sport Podcast, Steven Miller and Alan Hartnett look back on all the action. They discuss hurling final wins for Rathdowney-Errill, The Harps and Camross, football joy for Kilcotton and junior football semi-final wins for Portlaoise and Park-Ratheniska. They also chat about the full schedule of Division 1A and 1B football league games over the weekend. As well as that, they discuss the summer soccer season for the CCFL and lament the reduction in local soccer teams over the years. There's also chat about Will Reilly's debut for the Ireland U-20 rugby team over the weekend and the success of the Ireland 7s rugby side qualifying for this year's Olympics in Tokyo.

County finals, league action and soccer and rugby chat

After six weeks of inter-county GAA, the action this weekend focuses on club.  None of Laois's four adult teams are in action and the emphasis is back on the multitude of club games that are taking place this weekend.  The action gets underway on Friday night with a host of championship games from 2020.  The intermediate hurling final sees Trumera and Rathdowney-Errill meet in O'Moore Park while Kilcotton take on Colt in the junior 'C' decider.  The junior football semi finals are also down for decision as Portlaoise meet The Heath and Ballyroan-Abbey take on Park-Ratheniska.  Saturday will see the junior 'A' and 'B' hurling championship finals with Portlaoise facing The Harps and Camross respectively.  Steven Miller and Alan Hartnett will run through all of these games and also discuss the recent Ireland rugby call ups for Will Reilly and Tom Daly.  The interview will end with an interview from Laois Games Development Manager Mike Henchy.  He will provide an update on Cul Camps, GAA coaching courses, GPO take up and give some tips for current club coaches. 

County finals galore, international rugby call ups and Mike Henchy interview

So far this year the Laois hurlers and footballers have played a combined nine games between them and lost all nine.  The latest football loss to Down on Saturday evening sends the county to Division 3 for 2021 and Steven Miller, Alan Hartnett and Chris Conway discuss the fallout from that game, including Mike Quirke's aftermatch comments.  We look back at the game, ask were there any positives and how can Laois now approach their championship clash with Westmeath in three weeks time.  Damien Carter joins us to discuss Laois's latest hurling loss to Antrim and whether Laois have something up their sleeve to shock Wexford on Saturday week in the Leinster quarter-final.  But the game of the weekend was undoubtedly the Laois ladies football Division 3 semi-final win over Roscommon and Alan Hartnett is well impressed with their style of play and approach as they now look forward to a league final against Kildare.  He also chats about Laois camogie's win over Dublin that preserves their Division 2 league status - and their favourable championship draw.   

Down in the dumps and hurlers lose again but ladies save the weekend

And all of a sudden there is more GAA games than we can keep up with.  All four Laois adult county games are in action this weekend as well as the return of club league games, outstanding 2020 championship fixtures and underage county finals.  Steven and Alan are back with this week's LaoisToday Talking Sport Podcast to look ahead to the Laois footballers relegation playoff against Down, the hurlers clash with Antrim, the ladies football Division 3 semi-final and a camogie relegation game.  Can the Laois footballers survive in Division 2? Are the hurlers heading in the right direction? What can they learn from Kilkenny game?  

Road trip to Ulster, relegation battles and club games are back

The action continues this weekend with two of Laois’s adults GAA teams set to take to the field. The Laois camogie and football teams will be glad of a break this weekend following some heavy defeats throughout May.  But after their weekend off, the Laois hurlers are back this Sunday away to Kilkenny.  Steven Miller and Alan Hartnett discuss their chances and look at the broader picture on how the rest of the year is likely to unfold.  The ladies footballers are guaranteed a Division 3 semi final place but they will be keen to keep their winning streak going away to Wicklow.  The minor football and hurling panels have been released and Alan will provide a breakdown of the clubs involved while Steven will tell you who all the player's fathers and grandfathers are.  The show concludes with a chat with Paralympic swimmer Nicole Turner.  The Portarlington native is just home after claiming four medals at the European Championships and now has her sights firmly placed on Tokyo. 

Hurlers in Kilkenny, return of crowds and Nicole Turner

The return of GAA action hasn't been a positive one for Laois football and hurling supporters.  Both adult county teams have played three National League games each and have lost every one of them. Relegation remains a distinct possibility for both.  On Sunday in O'Moore Park the footballers lost to Kildare by 2-18 to 1-8, their third loss on successive weekends and a result that confirmed their place at the bottom of Division 2 South.  In our latest Talking Sport Podcast we hear the thoughts of Laois football manager Mike Quirke after the game as well as reaction from former Laois player Chris Conway and LaoisToday's Alan Hartnett and Steven Miller.  This week's podcast was recorded in O'Moore Park after the game - the first of the year not to be conducted via Zoom!

What now after latest Laois football loss?

LaoisToday.ie is an online media outlet based in Co Laois. Our podcast are mainly sport orientated - but from time to time we will cover a range of other topics including entertainment and politics

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