Laois U-21’s get GAA year underway

Laois U-21’s get GAA year underway

The U-21 footballers of Laois get the GAA year off to a flying start when they tangle with arch-rivals Offaly in an intriguing Hastings Cup tie in Portarlington this Saturday with a 2pm throwin. The contrasting record of both counties in this grade, added to the age-old rivalry between these neighbours, adds more than enough spice to this clash.

Laois last won the Leinster U-21 Championship as recently as 2007 while Offaly must go back to 1995 to see their county’s name inscribed in the provincial Roll of Honour. This famine for the Faithful County also mirrors their struggles at Senior and Minor grades. Ironically back in 2007 Laois claimed their latest provincial crown when shooting down Offaly on a 0-13 to 1-7 scoreline. That title rounded off a glorious two-in-a-row for the O’ Moore county as they had seen off Longford in the Leinster final the previous year. Laois also went on to contest the 2009 final where Dublin just edged them out in a very tight game.

For Offaly the pickings have been much, much slimmer. That appearance in the 2007  final was Offaly’s only time to reach the decider since winning this grade back in 1995. How Offaly men must pine for a return of the glory days when their tricolour jersey was to be seen on those championship days that mattered at all grades.